Finals Day 2006

Next season, at least a month is to be trimmed from the duration of the League following concerns expressed by some League members, with the League featuring the greatest ever number of teams last season. The League Officials will be looking at extending the League to a fourth division if the level of interest in membership continues, and will be removing some events from Sundays to make way for League matches instead.

Disconsolate in having lost the Division Two title in the last two weeks of the season, the New Inn A were out for this trophy and wanted to make no mistakes. Up against the Third Division's Red Breasts, they should have won easily, but the young Red Breasts battled strongly, overcoming their nerves to win three frames before losing 6-3.

IThe Herbert, proclaimed as champions of Division Two were chasing a League and Cup Double, whilst the Deserters were chasing a Cup Double, having already won the Gordon Price Cup earlier in the day. On paper, it should have been an easy victory for the Deserters, but they were beginning to tire after a long day at the table and allowed the Herbert to keep pace with them. The final doubles games were very exciting, but the last two were gifted to the Herbert with firstly Graham Ottoway and lastly, Vinny Reynolds going in-off after potting the black to concede the frame. A narrow 5-4 win for the Herbert, but they were happy to take it to secure their League and Cup double.

With an excellent final in prospect, featuring the Winners and Runners up of the Premier League over the last three years, it ended up a little less than expected as the Elite were not really up for the fight. The match finished 6-3 in favour of the Llanbadarn team who always looked in control. This handed Llanbadarn an excellent League and Cup double to which they also added the Doubles Cup and Premier League Divisional Singles KO.

GORDON PRICE HANDICAP CUP - Pictured (Left to Right) Edge Deserters, Champions and Dragon Invaders, Runners Up

Judging by the difference in their finishing League positions, this should have been a stroll in the park for the Deserters, it being the first match in a series of finals for their team's players; but the Invaders were not there just to make up the numbers and kept with their opponents up to the start of the third frame, and despite spurning chances to win, they eventually lost 5-1 to the Deserters.

THREESOMES CUP - Pictured (Left to Right) Alan Jones, Steve Sherlock & Andy Francis (The Lion), Champions and Mark Evans, Kevin Mitchell & Bob Pritchard (Edge Deserters), Runners Up

The eventual winners were favourites, but the Edge Deserters were the team that dominated Finals Day this season and they had the advantage of table play before this final. It proved to be an extremely tight affair, going all the way to the final frame which was won by Andy Francis over Mark Evans. An excellent final.

DOUBLES CUP - Pictured (Left to Right) Dave Morgan & Paul Robinson, Champions and Martin Stephens and Dafydd Rowlands, Runners Up

This was a clear case of youth against experience, but the experienced duo of Martin Stephens and Daf Rowlands would be the first to admit they had no chance at all as the two youngsters from Llanbadarn simply rocketed into action and left their opponents nothing. A very quick kill and a superb standard of pool saw Dave Morgan and Paul Robinson win 3-0.

MIXED DOUBLES CUP - Pictured (Left to Right) Drew and Anna Hughes (The Lion), Champions and Alan Jones & Laura Williams (The Lion), Runners Up

This looked a close match, and so it proved in the opening two games as they were locked at 1-1, but the current champions, Drew and Anna were in fine form and went on to win the final 3-1.

LADIES SINGLES CUP - Pictured (Left to Right) Julie Smith, Champion and Lydia Grey, Runner Up

Julie Smith, wife of Wayne, is a local girl and sister to Glyn Davies of the League Elite. She was a regular player in the old Ladies League of a few years ago, and is a previous winner of the Ladies Singles competition. Returning to the fray this season, she came up against Lydia Grey who is in her first season at the Castle Cobras and found the form of Julie a little overpowering, but did not disgrace herself, despite losing 3-0.

YOUTH CUP - Pictured (Left to Right) Drew Hughes, Champion and Jack Hughes, Runner Up

Drew Hughes slipped up in the Semi Finals of the Youth Cup last season, losing to the eventual winner, Mike Bebb of Guilsfield. In the Final was this year's Finalist, Jack Hughes and although Jack acquitted himself again this year, he was defeated 3-1 by Drew in the Youth Cup Final

MENS SINGLES CUP - Pictured (Left to Right) Drew Hughes, Champion and Wayne Smith, Runner Up

Drew retained the Mixed Doubles trophy he won with his sister, Anna, last season, beating Lion team-mate, Alan Jones and his partner Laura Williams 3-1. He regained the Youth Cup, beating Jack Hughes in the final, after losing the title last season to Guilsfield's Mike Bebb, but he saved his best form for the prestigious Singles final; the star attraction on the day, the Mens Final featured four times former winner and Wales team Captain, Wayne Smith. Easily the best player ever in the Newtown Pool League, Wayne was odds on to regain the Singles title, but despite all his experience, he was out-potted by young Drew who went 2-0 up, held his nerve when Wayne came back to 2-2, and went on to win 4-2 with some excellent play. A huge crowd cheered on the youngster and they were rewarded with superb pool from both players. Whilst Drew has promised excellence for the last three years, he is still a prodigious talent at just 16yrs of age, and obviously justifies his position as Wales Youth Team Captain.

The Presentations followed the Singles Final and a total of over £7,500 was given out in prizes.

Most Sporting Team - Bettws B

The Divisional Singles KOs, which feature the top players from each team, saw Ed Lewis from Llanbadarn win the Premier League, Mark Jones from the Herbert won the Second Division and Arwel Jones from Thai Twisters won the Third Division title.