Hall is Best of British in Carlisle

World number three Rob Hall defeated Mark Hirst 700-159 to claim his second World Billiards ranking title within the space of two months at last weekend’s Story Contracting British Open.

Held at the Portland Club in Carlisle, over 50 players took part in this level three ranking event. Top seed Hall comfortably won all four of his group games to qualify for the knockout stages on Sunday. There the Englishman eliminated Paul Whelan (Scotland) 690-194 in the last 16 before registered the tournament’s highest break of 387 via defeating Alex Donne (Wales) 859-218 in the last eight. He then saw off Jonathan Marwood (England) 538-220 to book a spot in the final.

His opponent in the 90-minute championship decider was fellow countryman Mark Hirst, who had toppled world number six and defending champion Martin Goodwill in the other semi-final. However, Hall established a handy early advantage in the final and never looked back, racking up runs of 112, 171 and 196 to secure a 700-159 success. Less than eight weeks previously, Hall lifted the Austrian Open trophy in Vienna.

Dave Ramrekha was triumphant in the Challenge Cup as he denied James Fletcher 258-143 in the final.

To view full results from the 2019 Story Contracting British Open, please visit here.