Following the closest season ever, the top two in the South London & Kent Pool Alliance Premier Division, O'Connors and Rileys Woolwich met in the final of the Founders Cup in what turned out to be as close as the season has been. 

The first set went one way then the other as Craig Mallinder won the first frame for Rileys in a tough match against Jordan O'Connor then James Sheed beat Tony Halpin in a frame that lasted just three visits.

Richie Mitchell put Rileys ahead again, before Adam Coppen drew O'Connors level once more and Kevin Smith won the set for Rileys, in a scrappy frame that both he and Micky Clayton had opportunities to win.

O'Connor made it three all with a great break and dish but Adam Everitt edged Rileys in front again.

Tony Gear and Adam Coppen won two on the bounce to put O'Connors in the lead for the first time but Kevin Smith produced a wonderful clearance after Joe Kane went in off on the break to tie the match at five all.

Smith started the final set and won his third frame of the evening to put Rileys one ahead again and Tony Halpin made the difference two frames to leave Rileys only needing one frame from the next three to win the cup.

Joe Kane and Tony Gear won the next two frames to set up a final frame showdown between Adam Coppen and Craig Mallinder.

Mallinder broke, potted but went for the other colour and missed then Coppen came to the table and also missed, leaving Mallinder to finish the match with an excellent clearance and win the cup for Rileys with an 8-7 score line.

It was a great game that either team could have won, with a high quality of pool being played, well played both teams.

Also played this week was the play off between Glenmore Arms A, who finished third from bottom in the Premier Division and O'Dowds B, third in Division One, to see who would be playing Premier Division pool next winter season.

The lower division team started the best with Shailash Vekaria winning the opening frame but Alan Rothwell pulled one back and Paul Rowlinson made a good finish to give Glenmore the lead.

David Mitchell equalised after Paul Thomas left him an easy last couple of balls but Glenmore won the set 3-2 as O'Dowds fifth player had not yet arrived.

Vekaria won his second frame to tie the match and Alan Enever put Glenmore ahead again before David Mitchell won his second of the night to make the score four all.

Keith Smith arrived just in time to play his frame in the second set and he literally took his coat off, took his cue out and took his first shot, not even having time to get a drink first.

O'Dowds will be thankful he did arrive in time as he won the frame to put his side 5-4 up but that lead only lasted a frame as Rowlinson played another brilliant frame to tie the match.

Dean Greaney-Parr put Glenmore ahead again but Nik Gray equalised before Keith Smith potted well to make a wonderful clearance and give his team a 7-6 lead.

Ex Glenmore player and so far unbeaten, Vekaria met James Grant in the fourteenth frame and it was Vekaria who held his nerve to clear the last couple of colours and the black to remain unbeaten on three out of three, giving his team an 8-6 win and Premier Division pool next winter season.

For more information on the SLKPA including league tables visit our website at www.slkpa.com or contact our Secretary Paul Gafa on 07443 456662 with any queries.

The league are looking at potential sponsors, any interested parties can also contact Paul Gafa.
You can also contact Paul Gafa if you are interested in registering a team for the forthcoming summer season.