The run to find the 2018 John Zorz Trophy Premiers started in earnest with the start of the semi-finals. The Elimination Semi-Final was between fourth placed Tall Timbers and fifth placed and defending 2017 Premiers Red Sox. During the competition rounds these two teams have played each other three times with Timbers having a distinct advantage winning twice. This was how it turned out as Timbers won 4–2 but it had to go the pink ball of the last game being played. Red Sox can now put their cues back in the rack until 2019. The Qualifying Semi-Final was between Club Lithgow compatriots second placed Jiggers verses third placed Miscues. Jiggers have beaten Miscues twice in the comp and had started out well going to a 3–0 lead then the collapse happened. Jiggers though behind in the last game had to sink one of the last three balls to sure up the aggregate. To Miscues credit, they ended up deserved winners 4–3. This week the Minor Semi-Final Jiggers play Tall Timbers with Jiggers having beaten them twice. The Major Semi-Final Helmets play Miscues and Helmets have beaten them twice as well but anything can happen in pressure games.

Carpet One Tall Timbers versus C & W Printing Red Sox:

Keith Morris versus Garry Nolan: Timbers captain Morris was going to try and kick start his team to an early lead. Nolan on the other was also trying to the same for his team. Morris had a nine start and basically, he kept the lead as he powered on potting and making it hard for his opponent. Nolan was trying his hardest and was only making a small indent to the difference. Nolan had no luck as Morris was doing enough to maintain the lead until the end 53–40. Score: Timbers 1 – 0 Aggregate + 13.

Michael Andrews versus Peter Warner: Until the beginning of 2018 Andrews and Warner were teammates for several years until their team unfortunately folded so they knew each other’s game well. Andrews had a 13 start and was off and running and maintaining the lead with good play. Warner came back to form last week and he was not letting Andrews have it all his way as he was right on his hammer. Around the half way point Warner made his move and took the lead and held that until on the colours when Andrews took the lead on the green. With just the pink and black remaining Andrews fouled on the pink which was enough for Warner to bring the game home on the black to win 66–59. Score: 1–1 Aggregate Timbers + six.

Aaron Vandermeer versus Tom Gaynor: Vandermeer has played Gaynor once this comp and that time Gaynor was a healthy 33 point winner. Vandermeer had a slender four point start and that really blew out early as he was on song leaving Gaynor behind. Suddenly a wall seemed to jump out in front of Vandermeer of which he did not miss. Gaynor after a shaky start finally hit his straps and was playing like a demon not only catching the lead but powering on to better things. Once on the colours Vandermeer did not pot anything as it was all Red Sox captain Gaynor 80 – 49. Score Red Sox 2–1 Aggregate Red Sox +26.

Michael McCosker versus Shannon Baer: This was a high-quality game and McCosker would have to keep his cool as Baer can grind out a game right until the end. McCosker had a 20 start and he increased that lead early in the piece as Baer took a little while to get into stride. Once Baer took the lead the first time it was then tit for tat as McCosker came back at him and numerous times the lead changed. With the game on the line and the pink not in a very good position McCosker took the shot on and played it to perfection as it went into the pocket and it was enough for McCosker to win 71–64. Score 2–2 Aggregate Red Sox +19.

Frank Wawn versus Jeff Stait: Wawn had lost his last two games and Stait had won his last three but this all goes out the window once the semis are here. Wawn had 17 start and he was up to the task playing some good shots maintaining that lead. Stait was playing as well as Wawn let him because Wawn was playing a good safety game. Even though Stait played well he was not making inroads and he was completely outplayed by Wawn 69 – 43. Score Timbers 3 – 2 Aggregate Timbers + seven.

Leon Rust versus Leo Keeley: A lot was riding on this the last game Rust either had to win or lose by six for his team to win and Keeley had to win by eight for the same result for his team. Contrasting styles as Rust goes like a whirling dervish around the table whilst Keeley is slow and methodical picking the right shot. The quick playing Rust was right on the ball and bought his ‘A ‘game to the table potting like a demon with a lot of luck. Keeley tried his hardest but could not keep up as Rust bought his team home 56 – 30. Timbers 4–2 aggregate was not needed.

Welch’s Highway Smash Repairs Jiggers versus Hunter Mining Methods Miscues:

David Adams versus Alan Piggott: Both have played 14 games with Adams ten wins and four losses with Piggott nine wins and five losses with players both in the Regal Trophy top eight. This was a very low scoring game and Adams had an advantage of a 12 start and he used this very well. He was playing well and making some small scores and pulled well ahead early and he was leaving nothing for Piggott. Adams did all the damage early and once Piggott got into his groove it was too late as Adams won 47–37. Score Jiggers 1 – 0 Aggregate + 10. 

Kyle Lewis versus Dennis Goodwin: These two almost mirror each other in the stats department as Lewis has five wins and losses whilst Goodwin has five wins and four losses. They play a similar style of game and Lewis had a comfortable 19 point lead before a ball was struck in anger. It was a fairly close game to start with as Goodwin was making little inroads to the deficit and Lewis kept his scoreboard slowly ticking over as well. Lewis had a good patch where he pulled ahead and Goodwin tried hard but some of his shots were off target. Lewis really put in a good game to win 63 – 35. Score Jiggers 2–0 Aggregate Jiggers +38.

Greg Sutton versus Jeff Martin: Sutton not having a good comp with four wins and five losses and Martin who returned to snooker after a long break has done very well with seven wins and six losses. The game started out slowly as there was a lot of safety played and only reds being sunk and the umpire was in for a long game. Sutton was jawing a lot of shots and Martin was cool under pressure and was potting well. Martin was 15 points in front with two colours left so Sutton needed a snooker and the last two colours. Sutton did get a partial snooker as Martin could hit the side of the pink but he hit the black giving Sutton seven points and now in a position to strike. Sutton sank the pink then missed potting the black and then Martin also missed potting that ball. Sutton had to play the length of the table and potted the black to a demoralised Martin 51–46. Score Jiggers 3–0 Aggregate Jiggers +43.

Trent Lewis versus Brian Bonus: On paper a potential mismatch as Lewis is having another good comp nine wins and four losses and Bonus very average two wins and six losses. Lewis had a 17 start and was quick out of the blocks playing some very good shots and a few lucky ones as well as a couple of times he hit the object ball so hard they ricocheted  into a pocket that he wasn’t even aiming for. Lewis did score a good 15 break which pushed him to 40 points in front and looking good. Bonus took it in his stride knuckled down and started to play some very good shots. As good as Bonus improved Lewis went backwards missing shots and giving Bonus points in fouls. Bonus played very well to overcome the deficit to win 66–45. Score Jiggers 3 – 1 Aggregate Jiggers +22.

Troy Clarke versus Ritchie Bilby: This could be the deciding game as Clarke had a massive 32 start and it only takes a couple of good shots to increase that lead though Clarke has not been playing well. Bilby knows how to grind out a game and he would have to be at his best to pull back the lead and win the game. A very entertaining game as Clarke was scoring little scores and Bilby was slowly pulling the deficit in. Clarke also helped his opponent by giving him points in foul shots which Bilby lapped up excitedly. Bilby got into a winning position when he fouled which pushed Clarkes score out over 13 points in front with 13 left on the table. All Clarke had to do was play safe but he fouled on the pink which Bilby potted and now came down to a black ball game. Clarke again played the black too hard and he saw the white go in the pocket and the game went to Bilby 70 – 66. Score Jiggers 3–2 Aggregate Jiggers +18.

Wayne Lewis versus Matt Tattersall: All or nothing for both players Lewis either had to win or lose by 17 for his team and Tattersall had to win by minimum 19 for his team to win. They had played each other once before and Lewis won by 20 but there was more pressure now than then. Tattersall started out with great confidence potting some very good shots and Lewis was very nervous missing a lot of shots. Lewis did play a few good shots and was keeping within the 17 scoreline. With 3 balls left and with Lewis only needing to pot one of them for his team to win it was suddenly taken right out of his control. Tattersall sank the blue then Lewis did not pot the pink of which Tattersall did. With black hard on the cushion rail Tattersall went for the pot and lo and behold potted the black for a 13 break and gave his team the win 66–46. Score Miscues 3–3 and took the aggregate point +22 to win 4–3.