Breaks

Allan Morgan 39

Congratulations to Caerphilly A’s Allan Morgan as he defended his Handicap Singles title after a 4-0 win against team-mate Khurram Khan at Mackintosh Sports Club.

After a cagey start from both players, Morgan built a 30-point lead but Khan had an opportunity with a handful of reds left to close the gap after a long red and excellent black along the cushion. However, a missed black gave Morgan the chance to clinch the frame and he capitalised with a 30 break to the pink to lead 1-0.

The second frame started in similar fashion to the first as two breaks of 16 early in the frame from Morgan gave him a 30-point lead, which he followed up with a break of 20 later on to leave Khan needing snookers on the last red, with the concession coming on the colours.

A very good opening red from Morgan saw the white head into the bunch leaving him snookered on the pink and black, but an excellent long blue to the green pocket saw him get an early chance in the third frame and he took advantage of the chance with a 39 break. Some good potting from Khan saw him reduce the deficit as the frame headed towards the colours and he found himself 27 behind on the yellow. Both players knew the importance of the frame, but it was Morgan who sealed it with mid-distance pots on the yellow and green to establish a 3-0 lead.

Seeking to become the first player in the competition’s 42-year history to win back-to-back titles, it was Morgan again who managed to create the first opening in the next frame as a 31 break gave him an early advantage which he managed to maintain for most of the frame, and despite Khan’s best efforts, Morgan potted the penultimate red to seal the frame and complete an impressive victory.