Multiple-champ McInness too much for local Hinga

ON THE BLACK: Tokoroa's Matt McInness won the Wanganui RSA's 8-Ball Open tournament, beating Wanganui's Nick Hinga in the final on Sunday afternoon. PHOTOS/BEVAN CONLEY

Having a few extra pool sharks in town for the Southern Trust New Zealand Masters Games meant a very strong walk up crowd for Wanganui RSA's annual 8-Ball Open tournament over the weekend.

After 82 people wanting to play had to be capped at 60 for the popular tournament last year, the 2015 edition saw an increase to 94, which was capped at 70 so the singles competition had time to get through all the games on the RSA's tables.

Round robin section play was whittled down to the finalists in Tokoroa's Matt McInness and local Nick Hinga on Sunday afternoon.

McInness, ranked either 1st or 2nd nationally during the past two years, while also a multiple-time New Zealand and Irish champion, won the final 4-0.

Convenor Dallas Rodgers said entries came from all over the country, some from as far as Christchurch and Timaru.

A number of them were in town already for the Masters Games, although Rodgers said that was just a happy coincidence.

"Magically enough, that's how the calender fell.

"We're always the second weekend of February, whether it's the Japanese games, the Rarotonga games or the Masters Games."

Taradale's Tara Jackson won Top Lady at the tournament for the second year in a row.

The Plate competition was won by Wanganui's John Te Hun.a New Plymouth's Thomas Defaria won the Flight contest.