The local pool community gathered at the Dorset Arms on Monday for the return of the Easter Cup.
Sponsored by A7 Architecture, the tournament attracted 21 participants, beginning with five preliminary rounds.
Early highlights included a notable performance by the eventual winner, Ali Gilliland, who progressed after a victory against James Kirk.
Last month’s Stan Lester Cup winner, Brad Ogier, also advanced following a close deciding frame against Miles Davies.
In the Last 16, Mick Le Noury secured a victory against Tommy Simon, holding his nerve to win 4-3 after Simon mounted a strong comeback, granting a space alongside Kate Le Gallez, Jarod Carrington, Miles Plumley, James De La Rue, and Brad Morton in the quarter-finals.
Morton defeated Le Noury, Carrington capitalised on errors from Plumley to win 6-4, and De La Rue progressed past Le Gallez.
Eventual winner Gilliland then ended Stan Lester Cup winner Ogier’s run in the competition, to take his spot in the semi-finals.
With just four players remaining, Gilliland established a commanding lead over De La Rue to win 7-3, whilst on the adjacent table Carrington earned a spot in his first final by beating Morton 7-4.
The final started as a balanced affair, with the score level at 3-3 following some early exchanges, until Gilliland subsequently took control of the match.
Gilliland eventually secured the title over Carrington with an 8 – 5 victory.
Following the match, Gilliland expressed satisfaction at being the first to lift the trophy, noting the high turnout of new and returning players.
“This was a great experience for everyone involved. It was nice to see a lot of new faces and returning players like Sam Roberts.
“Well done to Jarod for reaching his first pool final – a serious achievement as he’s only been playing for a couple of years. He made the final deservedly and kept fighting deep into the match.”
Gilliland concluded: “I’m really chuffed to be first person to win this unique and beautiful trophy. A great day, a very friendly venue and good people all round.”
Runner-up Carrington remained positive about his run to the final, stating that he felt he had played steadily throughout the day but found Gilliland to be clinical in the closing frames.
“I felt good all day, including the final, it’s just that Ali was very clinical, especially the last few frames where he gave me no look in.
“It’s been great, I’m very happy to have reached the final after playing steady all day.”
The Guernsey Pool Association credited the success of the event to the support provided by A7 Architecture, International Leisure, and the staff at the Dorset Arms.
You can find full results from the tournament, and more details on the Guernsey Pool Association can be found on its Facebook page.