Teen Marcus rules tables at Burnie Hart Memorial

INAUGURAL CHAMPION: Campbell McFarlane is the first winner of the Cosmopolitan Club’s President’s Trophy. File picture by Paul Rickard

A Hawke’s Bay teenager dashed hometown hopes in the Burnie Hart Memorial Handicap Snooker Tournament last weekend.

Marcus Moat was one of four Hawke’s Bay teens in the 32-strong field for the two-day competition held on the Cosmopolitan Club tables.

Moat, off a 35 handicap, defeated 7-handicapper and Gisborne Cossie snooker club president Steve Wood 2-0 in the best-of-three-frames final.

He eliminated local player Alan Scholes (28 handicap) 2-0 in the semifinals, while Wood knocked out another Hawke’s Bay 15-year-old, Sam Martin (35 handicap) 2-1.

Moat and Martin were among a group of four young players under the charge of Sean Grant, a regular competitor in Gisborne Cossie Club tournaments.

Player and tournament co-organiser Kevin Kennedy said the four “not only acquitted themselves well at the game, but were very respectful of their surroundings and fellow competitors, and, in doing so, earned deserved respect in kind”.

Kennedy said Moat played with the maturity and approach of a more senior player, while Wood also played exceptionally well.

The tournament attracted entries from Hawke’s Bay, Opotiki, Whakatane and Mt Maunganui, along with Gisborne Cossie and RSA players.

“The local women were well represented by Te Rina Hawkins, Connie Pari, Shar Matenga and Tracey Pearce,” Kennedy said.

Other results — Flight: Campbell McFarlane (7 handicap, Gisborne) def Sam Simpson (14, Mt Maunganui) 2-0.

Plate: Bill Raggett (14, Gis) def Connie Pari (49, Gis) 1-0.

Consolation plate: Tiny Thompson (21, Gis) def James Pocock (35, Hawke’s Bay) 1-0.