Cardiff Open Pairs Final
Khurram Khan/Nural Khan 1 v 3 Brian Rees/Jason Hewett
Congratulations to Fairwater Cons Mack’s Brian Rees and Jason Hewett after they completed a hat-trick of Cardiff Open Pairs titles following a 3-1 win over Khurram Khan and Nural Khan at Taff’s Well Ex-Serviceman’s Club.
An entertaining and attacking match saw both teams have chances in the opening frame, with a 25 from Rees giving the reigning champions an early lead. Some good potting from Khurram Khan kept his pairing in the frame, but a couple of contributions from Jason Hewett saw them lead by 35 on the last red, before Rees finished off the frame.
A match with very few mistakes or missed pots saw Rees and Hewett take the ascendency in the early stages of the next frame, before a superb 47 from Khurram Khan, that included some excellent potting and positional play, saw him level the match at 1-1.
The third frame proved to be pivotal as both sides continued their attacking styles, but some excellent safety ensured that all were looking for a clear opening. Rees had been flawless to this point in the match, and it was he who found it with a 27 break, before Nural Khan managed to hit back with a 21. With the scores very close, Khurram Khan had an opportunity to put his side 2-1 ahead, but after potting the final red, a missed green allowed Rees the chance to clear the colours, which he did with ease, to give his team a crucial advantage.
Both sides had opportunities at the start of the fourth frame as this fast and entertaining match continued, but it was left to Jason Hewett to provide the individual highlight of the evening, after some characteristic effortless potting saw him move past 50, before a tremendous screw-shot on the pink followed by a plant down the side cushion clinched the frame. The break reached 63 with two reds remaining but the cannon was unfortunate not to leave one on and the break ended with a century looking a strong possibility. The handshakes followed to give his side the win 3-1 and ensure that Rees and Hewett continue to be the dominant pairing in the CDSA.
