LONGSHAW No 2 are this year’s North West Small Tables Champions after beating Longshaw No 1 team 4-3 in a tense affair at Blackpool’s Claremont Club.

It is the first time in the tournament’s history that two teams from the same venue have contested the final.

There was never more than a frame in it as the sides traded frames from start to finish. No1 took the opener easily when Nathan Bridges saw off Neil Payton before No 2 equalised, Tom Whittle beating an under par Chris Lawson.

Frame three was an absolute cracker as John Gaul for the No 2 team held on to his start against the experienced Craig Steele. The turning point came when Gaul missed the reds while attempting a thin safety and Steele got himself in the winners circle with a remarkable clearance to win by a single point. Back came No 2 when Chris Rolfe took full advantage of Alan Heaton’s howler at the start of the frame.

Heaton potted a good long red only to finish on nothing. His attempted roll up to green didn’t reach and that was more or less frame over thanks to the miss rule. Rolfe was in no danger after that and potted beautifully to take the frame 89-31.

Frame five was a case of anything Steele can do Jex can do too. Frank Jex found himself some 34 behind after the early exchanges against George Holden but found a long red to get himself in and craft a superb 51 clearance to put his side on the brink of victory.

Frame six saw Jonny Hannan play some solid snooker to chip away at his opponents start and set the stage for a final frame decider. It was Lee Whittle for No 2 against Gary Hampson for No 1 and it was an edgy affair from the outset. Whittle was missing early on and Hampson could never quite take advantage as the two stayed locked together.

Hampson took advantage of a Whittle foul on the last red and nominated brown as his free ball. With the last red sitting invitingly in the jaws of the black pocket it was a good chance to seal it. Hampson potted the free ball but jawed the colour leaving the table at the mercy of Whittle with only the yellow safe.

Whittle potted red and nudged the yellow over the middle bag whilst potting his colour and that left the simplest of run outs to take frame and match.

n This year’s Gascon Trophy Match between East Lancashire and the Fylde Coast takes place this Sunday, May 17 at Tyldesley Conservative Club Blackpool starting at 1pm.

This Lancashire team is:- Steve Almond, Simon Blackwell, Chris Catlow, Eric Catlow, Andy Dibb, Gary Hampson, Ian Harle, Russell Large (captain), Marc Holmes, Mark Jennings, Duncan McNally, Mark Riley, Craig Steele and Wayne Cotterill.

n It promises to be an afternoon of top quality snooker and the Fylde will be putting out a top notch side including Wayne Morris and Jason Tart who is interrupting his attempt to gain a pro tour ticket at this year’s Q School to participate.