JACK CAME, HE SAW AND HE CONQUERED!!

On your marks, get set, ready… Jack!!! All is well that ends well, what a weekend of fantastic pool and entertainment. The IPA contingent didn’t disappoint, Kevin Barton, Craig Marsh (Marsh Mellow), Jack Whelan, Harry Irwin, Mark Farnsworth and Chris Bowron thank you very much for the memories. The road was bumpy, muddy at times but there was Jack always causing problems for the locals, the semi-final against Wetsi Morake was a match made in billiard heaven. There were moments where the crowd felt that the 2008 Blackball World Champion was going to run away with it, at 3-0 up the odds were all in favour of the local guy but Jack had other plans, he did well to scale back and before long it was 3-3 then Jack was up 5-3 and eventually the visitor won 7-5.

In the other semi-final fan favourite and former All-African Champion Ishmael Mthethwa was tipped by many to go all the way and win the tournament, after he took care of Paul Bennett and outright favourite Craig Marsh everyone thought a hero had been born and it didn’t seem like anyone would stop him. For lack of a better phrase, Ishmael Mthethwa was playing like a very well-oiled machine but out of nowhere came Chris Bowron who then denied us a chance at having any representation in the final, he derailed the runaway train, in his match against Ishmael, Chris unleashed his inner beast, he broke out of the shell and surprised many. The IPA amateur qualifier rose to the occasion and played some awe-inspiring pool that left Ishmael gobsmacked and thus setting up an all UK final starring Jack Whelan.

The IPA 2015 World Champion was in the zone towards the conclusion of the competition, he saved the best for last literally and not even compatriot Chris Bowron had any answers to Jack’s dominance. The final was a class act and both champions played very well with only a few mistakes between them throughout the match but of course there could only be one winner. Congratulations Jack.

THE BPL NEVER DISAPPOINTS!!!