SIXMILEWATER are the 2009 N.I.P.A. Interleague Champions. With World Number 16 Snooker Star Mark Allen in their team and on a day of high drama, Captain Darren Shannon held the trophy aloft after a 12-3 win over Ballymena in the Final. 11 Teams entered the Competition which was held on 8 quality tables in the impressive Ballymena United FC Social Club. The 3 group winners and the best runner up from the 2 groups of 4 qualified for the Semi Finals. In the Semi Finals last years winners North Down & Ards couldn't reach the same heights, going down 12-8 to a consistent Ballymena side. And in the other Semi, last years Finalists Carrick, took the eventual winners to a final frame before going down 12-10. After a draw in their Group match, everyone was expecting another close encounter in the Final, but Sixmilewater moved up a gear and led 8-3 at the half way stage. And not to long after, it was Roger Smyth who potted the final black of the day for a 12-3 win which sent the Antrim lads and supporters wild with delight. Well done to the Ballymena team for making the Final.
Group 1 (Winners Carrick 'A')
Carrick 'A' 12-5 Larne
Coleraine 12-7 North Down & Ards 'B'
Coleraine 12-7 Carrick 'A'
Larne 12-7 North Down & Ards 'B'
Carrick 'A' 12-3 North Down & Ards 'B'
Larne 12-10 Coleraine
Group 2 (Winners Ballymena, Best Runner Up Sixmilewater 'A')
Ballymena 11-11 Sixmilewater 'A'
Town & Country 12-10 Universities
Sixmilewater 'A' 12-6 Town & Country
Ballymena 12-7 Universities
Sixmilewater 'A' 12-9 Universities
Ballymena 12-6 Town & Country
Group 3 (Winners North Down & Ards 'A')
Carrick 'B' 11-11 Sixmilewater 'B'
North Down & Ards 12-10 Sixmilewater 'B'
North Down & Ards 11-3 Carrick 'B'
Semi Finals
Sixmilewater 'A' 12-10 Carrick 'A'
Ballymena 12-8 North Down & Ards 'A'
Final
Sixmilewater 'A' 12-3 Ballymena
The N.I.P.A. would like to thank all the teams who took part and a big thank you to May Boyd and the Ballymena Club for hosting our Competition.
