Eight Ball
13 January, 2025
Locals taste victory in Eight Ball competition
Players from Stawell and Horsham were part of winning teams in the eighth annual Wimmera Friendly Eight Ball Invitational, which was held on Saturday, January 11, and Sunday, January 12, at Horsham Lanes and Games.
The tournament is the second-largest eight-ball teams event in Australia. This year, 54 teams from Deniliquin, Sale, Mt Gambier, Mildura, Geelong, and Warrnambool played across six divisions with just under 400 players.
Australia's best pool player, Jake McCartney, also participated over the weekend.
Team Stawell finished top of the Division One table with seven wins and one loss. In the semi-final, they defeated the Geelong Guns 7-3; in the grand final, they defeated Hit n Hope 7-6.
The team was a mixed team from various clubs and featured Daniel Thorpe, Gus Digiorgio, Joseph Evans, Greg Santuccione, Ronnie George, Jake Brazendale (Horsham) and Matty V (Stawell).
In division two, Any Danger claimed victory, which featured Stawell's Zach Blachford. They finished the round-robin competition in third place on the ladder with five wins and stormed through the finals, defeating Maryborough 4-1 in the semi and JT Heart 6-3 in the grand final.
In division three, Horsham's White Hart claimed victory, featuring Aaron Court, Jayden Hinch, Michael Bates, Mitch Scott, Rod Zerbst, Randall Lee, and Leigh Hinch.
They finished on top of the ladder with six wins and one loss. In the finals, they steam-rolled 4 plus 3, 4-1 in the semi-final, and Black Widdows, 7-4 in the grand final. Horsham's Darren 'Deadly' Duncan played for Black Widdows.
In division four, the Horsham Wolves finished on top of the ladder with five wins and two losses. However, the eventual victor, the Melton Sharks, defeated them in the semi-final. The Sharks defeated Warrnambool in the grand final.
The team consisted of Darren Robertson, Matt Wescombe, Roger Kotz, Gary Chester, John Walker, Phil Barnard and Hannu Oksala.
In division five, the Str8 Shooters defeated Hamilton, 7-5, after finishing on top of the ladder.
In division six, Rack Attack defeated Hamilton 7-2 after finishing on top with seven wins and one loss.
Competition organiser Darren 'Deadly' Duncan said it was a massive weekend.
"We were delighted with the turnout. The tournament went well and was a massive success," Deadly said.
"We have eight teams saying they will return next year as they enjoyed the competition. We will cap it at 63 teams, expecting to reach that number."
"We received a lot of positive feedback, and everyone enjoyed it."
"It brings a lot of revenue into Horsham. Looking at how much everyone spends, it adds up, and the competition keeps going from strength to strength."
