After a three year gap the Tennents Coleraine & District Pool League are once again proud NIPA Interleague Champions. After a long gruelling day of Pool in the Nortel Social Club, Newtownabbey Willie Eakins team lifted the Shield with a dramatic last deciding frame win over the very strong host team of City Air Express Carrick & District Pool League. Carrick trailed all the way but fought back to level at 16-16 with only one frame remaining and with no player wanting to be too committal under the tense pressure it turned out to be a tactical battle. But eventually Marc Hutchinson went for game when advantaged with two shots and he held his nerve to pot his remaining colours and the final black of the competition to send his team mates wild with delight. Huge congratulations to the Bannsiders but big commiserations to Carrick after a massive effort.
Coleraine had won their group with three wins from three including a play off deciding frame win against Ballyclare who also went on to reach the Semi Final after a play off match win over Crumlin. Drew Sloan's Ballymena won their group with three from three but lost out to eventual winners Coleraine in the Semi Final. Carrick had progressed from the "group of death" beating last years winners Larne and the very impressive East Down team under the captaincy of Tom Morgan. Although winless, other newcomers Castlewellan under Brendan Blaney didn't let themselves down with three good displays in their group. North Down & Ards just missed out on second place in their group courtesy of an 11-12 loss to Ballyclare.
In the Plate Final Ards and District led by Craig Robson defeated Ballynahinch led by Davy Moore by 6-1
The NIPA would like to thank the following - all the Leagues and all their players who took part, the Committee and staff of the Nortel Club who helped us in every way possible and referees Jason Horner and Kathy Leddy.
