Goldfields 8 Ball Association

The Grand Sharpshooters early season form continued last week, after making light work of the Grand Trolley Boys in last weeks round of 1^st Division 8 Ball.

While the Sharpshooters have started the season winning their first 3 matches, the Trolley Boys find themselves in unfamiliar territory on the back of consecutive losses to open the season.

In the other match played, the Grand Suns opened their winning account with a thrilling come from behind victory over the Star and Garter Pirates, while in 2^nd Division action, the Grand Workers and the Gala Warriors both recorded 9-8 victories over the Country Club Ballers and Main Reef Breakers.

8 Ball followers are expected to flock to the Grand Boulder tonight, when the Sharpshooters hot start to the season will be put to the test against defending premiers the Country Club Cobra’s in the 1^st Division, while it’s derby night in the 2^nd Division when the Mafia and Workers lock horns for bragging rights.

Players are reminded of the Wednesday night fixtures next week due to Anzac day falling on the Thursday.

Defending winter 1^st Division premiers the Country Club Cobra’s title defence has got off to a perfect start, after winning their opening 2 matches of the season.

After blowing out the cobwebs in their opening match against the Tower Jokers, it was business as usual for the defending premiers on Monday night when they proved too strong for the Grand Trolley boys in a replay of both last seasons winter and summer Grand Finals.

The noise around newcomers the Grand Sharpshooters being potential premiership fancies was justified after opening the season with two percentage boosting victories against the Grand Suns and the Tower Jokers, while the Star and Garter Pirates got their season off on a winning note with a last game victory over the Grand Masters.

In second Division action, the Country Club Ballers hit the ground running defeating the Grand Mafia, the Grand Workers opened their account with a workman like victory over the Main Reef Breakers while the Gala Warriors took the points over the Tower Titans.

In tonights 1^st Division highlight match, the Tower Jokers and Grand Masters will lock horns, looking for their first premiership points of the season while opening round winners the Grand Workers and Country Club Ballers will take centre stage in 2^nd Division action.

Justin Campbell was the toast of the Goldfields 8 Ball fraternity on Sunday night when he became the Inaugural winner of the Kalgoorlie / Boulder Open defeating Luke Anglesey in a thrilling final.

After the scores were locked at 8 all after the specified time allowed to complete the final had elapsed, a 6 red-ball shootout decided the eventual champion.

Campbell’s cue ball resume going into the event, indicated he would be one of the players to beat and his performance over the weekend justified the result.

Originally from Adelaide, Campbell dominated the Junior state ranks which ultimately lead him to represent Australia as a Junior.

Campbell then switched his game over to the American table where he racked up over a dozen Australian titles in 9 Ball, 10 Ball and American Pool, before switching to Chinese 8 Ball a few years ago, playing on the professional tour before settling in the Goldfields a few years ago.

While disappointed in defeat, Anglesey’s performance over the weekend justified his status as one of the leading 8 Ball players in the state, which has seen him win 2 WA State Titles, National Plate Title and a National Doubles Title.-

Making up the top 4 were Adrian Lancaster and Ron Kelly who have both represented Australia on numerous occasions.

The Consolation Plate was taken out by Jeff Delbridge who defeated former Goldfielder and Trolley Boy team-mate John Grazziadelli in the final.

Making up the top 4 were local players Jason Dimer and Jeff Sharrett.

8 Ball is set to re-commence tonight when the Goldfields 8 Ball Association conducts opening night for the highly anticipated winter season.

Division 1 will see 7 sides battling it out for the ultimate prize, while 6 teams will lock horns in the 2^nd Division chasing the same dream.

Season highlights include the Open Singles and Doubles, divisional closed singles, mixed doubles and the annual Country Week tournament in Perth over the June long weekend, with the Grand Final scheduled to be played on August 24^th.

In tonight’s opening round of 1^st Division matches, all eyes will be upon the Grand Boulder when the Grand Sharpshooters make their 1^st Division debut when they face up to the Grand Suns in a local Derby.

After some aggressive off-season recruiting, the Sharpshooters are expected to hit the ground running with many good judges expecting them to be one of the leading contenders over the winter months.

The Country Club Cobra’s will have to wait until the following round to hoist last years premiership flag, as they open their premiership defence with an away game against the Tower Jokers while the Star and Garter will host the Grand Masters who also have reportedly been busy on the recruiting side of things.

In the 2^nd Division, the Main Reef Breakers will be paid a visit by the Grand Wolves, the Warriors will be looking ‘ at a positive start when they tackle the Tower Titans, while the Country Club Ballers will host the Grand Mafia to complete the opening round.

1^st Division players are to be reminded of the upcoming Monday night fixture.

8 Ball eyes statewide will be focussed on the Goldfields this weekend when the inaugural running of the Kalgoorlie / Boulder Open will be held at the Grand Boulder.

Under the brainstorm of Jake and Megan Persello, the Open singles will see some of the state’s elite 8ball players converging on the region.

With multiple Australian and West Australian representatives being within the room, the standard of play is expected to be at the highest level.

Co-ordinator Megan Persello, was looking forward to what lays ahead over the next few days

“ we are lucky enough to have some of the states best pool players visiting our region over the weekend and to say we are super excited is an understatement."

" A lot of hard work has gone into this weekend and come Sunday night when we crown the first ever winner, hopefully we can look back and reflect on what an amazing weekend it was. “

The round robin tournament got underway last night with matches starting at 9am today and tomorrow with the final scheduled for early Sunday evening.

The Goldfields 8Ball Association’s much anticipated winter season is set to commence next Thursday night.

Coming off the back of a successful Summer season which saw the Grand Trolley Boys crowned champions for the 5^th consecutive year, the Winter season will see 7 sides battle it out for premiership glory while 6 sides will lock horns in the 2^nd Division.

Highlights of the season will be the Goldfields Open Singles and Doubles and the Associations trip to Perth to represent the region in the annual Country Week tournament which will be held over the long weekend in June.

Last winter’s 1^st and 2^nd Division, was won by the Country Club Cobra’s and Grand Plan respectively.

The Grand final is scheduled for the 24^th August.