The final black of the 2024-25 Farnham & District Billiards & Snooker League season has been potted on an evening of high drama, final hurdles and heartbreak.
Traco B claimed the Division Two title with a resounding 4-0 win over relegated Sovereign D to end an excellent season as champions.
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The whitewash was their second in three games with the Traction Club building up a head of steam at the perfect time to claim the title at the death.
With only two defeats all season, Shaun Cooper’s side are worthy champions with runners-up Shottermill B also enjoying a similar campaign.
There was a late twist with Jon Larbey’s final frame heroics earning the team a place in the top flight at the expense of long-time leaders Liss RBL C.
And they did just that with Larbey’s 67-37 victory over Stuart Lowe securing the runner-up trophy, while also proving the old saying that a league campaign is a marathon, not a sprint.
While one man does not maketh a team, Shottermill have one of the league’s very best players within their ranks with Dong Ming Lau worth of a mention after an incredible campaign.
The hotshot didn’t lose a league frame all season, made the division’s highest break of 52, and won the Plate trophy during last weekend’s President Cup competition.
Bordon’s Lee Coyne, whose only league defeat was to Dong, beat Russell Wishart in the final to win the main trophy and a place at presentation night.
At the bottom end of Division Two a 3-1 defeat at Rowledge B condemned Lindford B to a surprise consecutive relegation.
Bourne A’s 2-2 draw at home to early leaders Alton Cons A was enough to secure safety while Traco F, who flirted with the promotion spaces before Christmas, took up the final relegation space after drawing with Farnham Cons B.
Replacing the aforementioned trio in Division Two next season will be champions Comrades B, Alton Cons F and Traco E.
The latter won 3-1 at home against the champions in their final match with Liam Irwin – who made the second and third highest Division Three breaks of the season – winning the final frame against Phil Webberley.
Alton Cons F could have nipped the title with a resounding win and a heavy Comrades defeat but they had to settle with a runners-up trophy after drawing with Bordon C.
Both Frensham sides had a good campaign, with the D side finishing fourth and ending up above their A counterparts – who ended the season with a resounding 4-0 over Hindhead RBL A and finished fifth.
Attention now turns to the team knockout competition, with one last final chance of silverware up for grabs.
Division Two results: Rowledge B 3-1 Lindford B, Bourne A 2-2 Alton Cons A, Sovereign D 0-4 Traco B, Passfield A 1-3 Shottermill B, Liss RBL C 2-2 Bordon B, Farnham Cons B 2-2 Traco F.
Division Two break: Martin Wells (26).
Division Three results: Traco E 3-1 Comrades B, Bordon A 4-0 Traco C, Frensham A 4-0 Hindhead RBL A, Alton Cons F 2-2 Bordon C, Lindford D 2-2 Rowledge C.