Prior to the new season of the Winmau Thursday Champions League getting underway the centre laid on a couple of knockouts the first of which as reported in last month’s column was won by West Midlands player Sam Guest with a 6-2 win over Robert Pierce in the final, the second knockout saw Guest almost make it a double as he reached the final once again but on this occasion he was narrowly beaten 6-5 by Ilkeston’s Matt Padgett.
To win the event Padgett had to play in every round including the preliminary round where he beat Andy Bray 4-1. He then progressed with a similar 4-1 win over Robert Pierce before beating Louis Burley 4-2 to reach the semi finals where he won 5-0 against Chris Manoila.
From the other half of the draw Guest began his path to the final with a 4-0 success over Mike Hampson, he then followed that with a 4-1 win over Devinder Singh and in the last four had a 5-1 victory against Mick Baker before losing out at the final hurdle.
Full Results:Preliminary Round:- Matt Padgett 4 Andy Bray 1, Round One:- Sam Aitkens 4 Martin East 3, Mark Bayliss 3 Chris Manoila 4, Matt Padgett 4 Robert Pierce 1, Chris Fox 0 Louis Burley 4, Devinder Singh 4 Adam Quinton 3, Sam Guest 4 Mike Hampson 0, Chris Williams 4 Shane Watters 0, Rob Harris 2 Mick Baker 4, Quarter Finals:- Sam Aitkens 3 Chris Manoila 4, Matt Padgett 4 Louis Burley 2, Devinder Singh 1 Sam Guest 4, Chris Williams 3 Mick Baker 4, Semi Finals:- Chris Manoila 0 Matt Padgett 5, Sam Guest 5 Mick Baker 1, Final:- Matt Padgett 6 Sam Guest 5.
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At the time of going to print the Winmau Centre Monday Night League has the finishing line in sight with only five remaining fixtures and with a total of 48 points from every game there is still lots to play for as there is only 24 separating them and third and fourth placed Smash It and The Outcasts have a game in hand on the two teams above them.
What’s The Point currently lead the field with 447 points the latest fixture seeing them win 37-11 against Keep It In The Family.
Second placed The Untouchables, who were the first team to win the league in its inaugural season are just eight points behind the leaders following their massive 45-3 win over Here For The Beer, Untouchables 439 points putting them nine ahead of Smash It who in turn are seven to the god on The Outcasts.
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