Thousands of pool players representing ladies, youths, seniors, masters and men’s teams descended on Rhyl for the English Blackball Pool Federation National Finals.

And this year, for the first time in South Yorkshire County Pool history, the Men’s B team qualified for their place among the best of the best.

The team consisted of Dave Margrave, Mick Beck, John Maher, Sam Grimshaw, Ryan Brooke, Mick McGuinness, Russ Horbury, Steve Purvis, Matty Dodson, Adam Short and Captain Alan Whawell.

After a hard fought few days battling it out against 16 other Men’s B teams, they sealed their place in the quarter finals where they were to face Derbyshire.

The team fought hard in a back and forth battle to beat a strong Derbyshire side 14-12. This put them into the semi-finals, where they reached Cambridgeshire’s team, but after some great pool South Yorkshire came out on top again 14-6.

The finals saw them face a tough Teeside team and unfortunately South Yorkshire were unable to match Teeside’s strength and lost 14-6, placing them as the runners-up of the competition.

Alan Whawell said to Doncaster Echo: “Although we are disappointed to not have won the final game, I am very proud of my team and the effort that was put in to get us to this position. For the first time in South Yorkshire County history the B team qualified for the National Finals, which is an achievement. To come runners-up of the whole event, is amazing!

Now on to next year, where the title will be ours!”

With the 2019 season drawing to a close, attention is turning to the 2020 season, and South Yorkshire Blackball Pool are looking for players of all ages, genders and abilities to join them at the upcoming trials. If you love cue sports and would like to try out, please like and follow @SYBBP on Facebook, where dates and venues of the trials will be posted soon!