Westoe 1 squeezed a 3-2 victory over a strong and competitive Tynemouth 1.

First matches on were the first and fifth seeds.

Chris Boyer pipped the speedy Jamie Todd to the line by 3 games to 2. A hard fought and well contested battle. Boyer took the first of five close games but Todd fought back, taking the next two games. A tight fourth game was in the balance at 9-9 but Boyer sneaked the final two points to send the match into a deciding game. A good start from Boyer in the fifth established a gap, but Todd never gave in ensuring the game went the distance finishing 11-8 in Boyer’s favour.

Matty Donnelly, making his first team debut this season, played Hannah Cliff . The first two games were very tight, both players taking a game each. The third game was a little more comfortable for Cliff. Donnelly dug deep and tried to take the match the distance at 7-7, but Cliff hit some great shots to close the match out.

Next up saw third seeds Steve Preston take on Nick Hale. A close first two games could have gone either way but Hale found a way to close them both out. A solid third game from Hale saw him seal the match 3-0.

Westoe were now 2-1 down with fourth and second seeds knowing they needed to win to pull off a comeback. Second seed Mike Burton played Jon Evans. The match was played at a fast pace, Burton taking the first despite Evans coming from behind to keep the score close. The second game continued where the first game finished, Burton starting well but Evans never gave up and kept clawing the points back. Burton had the edge and closed out the second. He completed the job in 3 to put the deciding match in the hands of the fourth seeds.

Westoe’s number 4 Ryan Hall took on Toby Cockhill. Both players started well and confidently attacked. Cockhill took the first and second games 11-9 and looked to grind out the win in 3 but Hall dug deep, taking the third game to prolong the match. The fourth game was another tight affair, both players playing out some hard rallies. Hall again edged the fourth to send the match into a decider. Both players feeling the effects of the fourth game came off knowing it was winner takes all. The deciding game saw Hall find some reserve energy and got off to a good start, applying pressure. He clinched the 5th game and earned a good win for the Westoe side.

A great game contested by two good teams, all players playing their part in an enjoyable night.