Lae Auto Clinic edge Dulux 3-2 to claim Super Fours title

LAE Auto Clinic are the champions of the Aviat Pokies Super Fours 8-Ball challenge beating team Dulux 3-2 in the final at Aviat Club in Lae last Saturday.
The final was closely fought with three singles played over a best of three frames and two doubles (mixed doubles and open doubles) played over a frame.
The first two singles of three frames were won by LAC for a 2-0 lead with only a match to go for a clean sweep but Dulux’s duo of Nicole Monmai and partner turned the tables on LAC’s Charles Arua and Lisa Clark in the open mixed doubles winning 1-2 to stay in contest.
The win by Monmai and partner boosted the morale in team Dulux with Gilbert Tan and partner nailing the LAC’s pair to win the open doubles single frame to level the scores at 2-2 heading into the final showdown.
The final single game was a best of three frames for the title and saw Lae’s top snooker players Arua and Tan lock cues.
In the first frame, Arua fought back from three balls on the felt to edge Tan who was on the eight-ball but failed to sink.
In the second frame, Arua had ‘match point’ with only the black ball to go while Tan had four balls yet to hole however he faltered and Tan nicknamed ‘sanguma’ out manoeuvred Arua and earned a couple of free shots to tie the scores at 1-1 forcing a decider in the third frame.
The final frame both went down to the wire with both men going ball for ball until only the eight was left.
A tactical timeout by Arua allowed him to compose himself to make the final shot and clinch a 2-1 victory to give LAC the title.
LAC pocketed K2,000 with Dulux getting K900; equal third spot went to Tent City and Top Shooters who pocketed K400 each. Top Shooters also bagged the minor premiership title with K400.