Rizzo defeats Demanuele 8-7 in tense finale
National squads announced
Top Gun's Ivan Rizzo is the winner of the third national ranking tournament organised by the Malta Pool Association. The tournament, at the Pandora club, attracted 118 players.
In an exciting final Rizzo had to fight back to beat the stiff challenge offered by Hibs Pavilion player Ray Demanuele. The final score of 8-7 speaks for itself with both players producing some exceptional play.
Demanuele closed the first session leading 5-2 but a great comeback from Rizzo turned the score to 7-6 in his favour. Rizzo missed a big chance to seal the title before Demanuele levelled the scores. The final frame was to decide the issue.
Demanuele could have wrapped up the game but after a foul on the cueball Rizzo took his chance to secure the honour.
Both semi-finals had ended with a similar 7-5 score. Rizzo eliminated Duncan Bezzina and Demanuele beat Mario Cutajar.
Meanwhile, the top 12 in the national ranking list secured a place in the national squad for the European Pool Championship at the Corinthia Jerma Palace Hotel between February 20 and 25.
These are: Clayton Attard 625 points, Ray Demanuele 580, Antoine Cuschieri 560, Duncan Bezzina 510, Ivan Rizzo 505, Mario Brincat 415, Mario Vassallo 390, Kevin Mercieca 360, Mario Cutajar 345, Chris Tabone 335, Marcel Micallef 300, Alfred Attard 300.
In the U-18 category Miguel Falzon's dominance persisted after winning three titles in a row. In the last final he beat John Paul Mifsud 6-2.
The top six in the U-18 rankings won a place in the Malta squad for the Euro Championships. These are: Miguel Falzon 900 points, Shaun Agius 550, Jurgen Attard 470, Clint Chircop 400, Wayne Farrugia 400, Matthew Ferriggi 360.
The next ranking tournament will be play at Zejtun on March 14.