Chandlers Ford Central's Lowe ends the night on a first-time high!

Stuart Hamper Memorial Individual Billiards Handicap Challenge
Semi-Finals and Final – Churchills Eastleigh, Wednesday 18 April 2018

Chandlers Ford Central’s Korbin Lowe has won the Stuart Hamper Memorial Individual Handicap Billiards Challenge Championship for the first time, after a fine display of all-round billiards in the semi-final and final played at Churchills Eastleigh.

In the first semi-final St Denys Cons’ Derek King (receive +90) faced-off against teammate Andy Carter (receive +30). There was drama almost immediately, as King’s cue tip came off mid break, and he had to have it glued back on to continue! King led for most of the first to 200 points game, playing some fine pots and cannons. But Carter clawed his way back into contention with some excellent in-offs and cannons himself, eventually triumphing by 200-173.

In the other semi-final, Chandler’s Lowe (receive +5) was drawn against Totton Rec’s Mick Kunzi (receive -25). Lowe played superbly to make breaks of 22, 37, 38 and a 29 unfinished, and leave Kunzi, who made a consolation 31 break, dreaming of what might have been, winning by a margin of 200-32.

The final was an evenly poised affair between two of the fairly new entrants to the prestigious Southampton Billiards League. Carter led by 40 points for some time, with Lowe trying to find his semi final form. Both players showed their improving billiards knowledge, but the tension of their first final appearance was getting to them! Lowe made two telling breaks of 29 and 25 which helped him towards the winning line. Carter gave all he could to draw level, but Lowe was not to be denied as he ran out a 200-153 champion. Well done to all the semi-finalists and well done Korbin!