Jiggers were 3–2 behind and had to win the last game by 35 points. They nearly did this but the Helmets player stayed cool sank the black for Jiggers to win by 34 therefore Helmets becoming the 2018 John Zorz Trophy Premiers.

To come down to the last ball of the last game it was deserving of one of the best Grand Finals played. All LASA members would like to thank the Zorz family for attending and presenting the trophy it is very much appreciated.

This concludes the team events for 2018 and now for the last two weeks we have the individual comps with the Regal Trophy and then finishing with the Roley Casey trophy both at The Workies.

The LASA committee would like to thank all teams, players, sponsors and supporters throughout the year. Since we have now finished at Club Lithgow for 2018 we would like to thank Lee Green, the board and all the staff members for allowing us to hold our comp at your venue.

RW Farnsworth versus Justin Nelson:  Their team’s lowest handicapped players and they have played each other twice this comp with Nelson winning both times. Farnsworth had an 18 point lead before a ball was struck and both started out cautiously playing safe.

Twice within the first half a dozen shots Nelson fouled and could not get into his rhythm. Both were scoring small breaks and in a flash Farnsworth scored a good 28 break and was on song.

Not long after Nelson scored a 16 break and was looking to finally get his game together. In the long run Farnsworth was at the top of his game and Nelson tried hard but struggled to find form.

Farnsworth was that hot the clubs air conditioning was ramped up as he easily rammed home his advantage 107 – 43.  Helmets 1 – 0 Aggregate +64.

Dallas Thurlow versus David Adams:  Both players met twice through the comp and the ledger stands at one win apiece Adams was having one of his best comps in many a year. Thurlow was chasing 11 points and the year Adams was having that was a big lead.

The game was a typical dour affair with good and bad shots, safety and some mistakes. Adams took his time having a look at the shots available and picking the right time to attack. Thurlow was potting some good shots but he was missing more than he nailed. Thurlow did make a move mid game and came back at Adams.

As he does Adams struck again at the back end of the game even his mistakes went into the pockets as he cruised to a good win 62 – 39. Score 1 – 1 Aggregate Helmets +39.

Ian Bulkeley versus Wayne Lewis: Two years ago both Bulkeley and Lewis were teammates and played the 2016 John Zorz Trophy against Helmets of which Bulkeley was the game that won Jiggers the title. Now opponents and the gloves were off.

They played each other once through the comp which Bulkeley won by 27 points but Grand Finals are a different beast. Bulkeley started out well chasing the 21 points Lewis had and he was doing that with good potting and safety.

Lewis was making a lot of early mistakes with some of his shots going close to in but he seemed to be setting Bulkeley up. Lewis once he settled started to play better and Bulkeley was making some fundamental errors.

Bulkeley took the lead mid game and that was the catalyst as Lewis was chasing points and though he was making inroads Bulkeley was smart enough to protect that lead to win 62 – 46. Helmets 2 – 1 Aggregate +55.

Ian Miles versus Wade Barrington: Miles has a lot of experience won a lot of team and individual titles and the veteran is a wily old character who is hard to beat. Barrington is in his second comp and is a very much improved player and his safety has come a long way in a short time and he would need this in a pressure situation.

Miles had to give ten start and as he approached the table and started to play you could sense he was not at his best. Barrington seemed to lap up the pressure as he was potting some good shots and his safety was making it hard for Miles.

Miles did play a lot of good shots but they were few and far between as Barrington was playing way above his young experience. Barrington lead all the way until the end in a very good effort to win 63 – 30. Score 2 – 2 Aggregate Helmets +22.

Logan Spice versus Trent Lewis: These two players like Bulkeley and Lewis who played earlier were teammates in 2016 when Jiggers beat Helmets in that Grand Final. In that time Spice was on a +13 handicap and Lewis was on +35 and in 2 years Spice is now on +6 and Lewis +18.

Lewis has improved very rapidly and showing a lot of consistency and Spice also has improved and now is a very steady player.

This was a very close game from start to finish where the lead changed a couple of times. Lewis took advantage of his start and moved ahead a little bit further.

Spice did not panic he kept his cool played some very good shots and slowly pulled back the deficit and not only took the lead he improved on that.

Lewis knuckled down played some very good shots and put himself into a winning position only to see Spice pot the important balls to win 67 – 54 in a good game. Helmets 3 – 2 Aggregate +35.

Dillan McBey versus Greg Sutton: The all-important game McBey had to win or lose by 34 for his team to win and Sutton had to win by 36 for his team to win.

McBey is in his second comp and first year of Tuesday night snooker has very little experience and Sutton has been around a long time and had the experience. Sutton had a ten point start and on his second shot gave McBey some early points.

There were a lot of mistakes being made by both players due to the pressure and McBey was only a couple of points behind Sutton. Sutton was taking his time potting small breaks and playing very safe.

McBey was rushing a lot of his shots and once he slowed his shots down he played some good safety and put Sutton in snookers.

Sutton was pushing the score out to the 30 points he needed. With two balls left Sutton played a cracker of a shot on the pink pushing the agg to a winning position but still needed the black to finish it off.

McBey played a very good shot to pot the black and though he lost 63 – 29 the difference was 34 points and it was enough for Helmets to take the title 4 – 3.

Other awards on the night were:

High Breaks:

Regal Trophy:  27/11 at The Workies the top eight contenders from the John Zorz Trophy play off in a blind draw. Could all players please be in the venue prior to 7pm or the reserves will be added though if you cannot be there prior to 7pm due to work or family reasons please let the committee know.

Contenders: Robert Farnsworth, Ian Bulkeley, Dillan McBey, Justin Nelson, David Adams, Allan Piggott,  Trent Lewis, Steve Hewitt. Reserves: RW Farnsworth, Michael McCosker, Wade Barrington, Jeff Stait