Wood rises to the challenge again

CHAMP AGAIN: Defending champion Steve Wood (above) retained the Burnie Hart Memorial Trophy at the Cosmopolitan Club over the weekend. Wood beat fellow Gisborne player John Warren 2-0 in the best-of-three-frames final.

SNOOKER

GISBORNE Cossie Snooker Club president Steve Wood rises to the occasion when it comes to the Burnie Hart Memorial tournament.

Defending champion Wood made it a second title in his third consecutive championship final appearance in the popular annual handicap tournament over the weekend.

The best-of-three-frames final was an all-Gisborne affair, with Wood beating John Warren 2-0. Both finalists were on a 7-handicap.

Wood qualified second in his section, the top two from each of the four sections contesting the championship.

He had some close tussles on his way to the final, including a 2-1 win over Hawke’s Bay’s Aaron Carlson (28-handicap) in the semifinals.

Warren beat Gisborne’s Charlie Atkins in the other semi.

Thirty-two players competed over two days.

Other results — Flight: Jeff Crossan (Ohope) from Larry Robinson (Gisborne).

Plate: Ray Wolland (Taupo) from Tony Murphy (Gis).

Consolation plate: Busby Akuhata (Gis) from Tiny Thompson (Gis).