Oh what a night it was, the Ocean Grove Snooker Grand Final for 2025 was held on 17 September between the Wackers and the Warriors at the home of snooker, the Thunderdome.

The Wackers finished second on the ladder after the home and away rounds, securing themselves home table advantage. They came up against the Warriors in the first week and won through to the final four, waiting to see who their opponent was going to be. The Turkeys made it through to week three, but the Wackers gave them a whack and progressed into the Grand Final.

The Warriors finished third on the ladder; they were defeated by the Wackers in the first week and were now playing sudden death. They spiked the Cannons in week two and then dismantled the Lodge in week three to have another crack at the team that beat them in the opening round.

The Wackers started proceedings with Todd Friswell and Steve Dolphin taking on Dave Kilpatrick and Peter Snell. The Wackers took the first frame 48 points to 32. The next doubles match pitted Aaron Lerpiniere-Tunn and Peter Shaw against Paul Racevic and Shaan Briggs. These two Warriors turned the tables on Aaron and Pete winning 47 to 18. Everyone was now trying to keep a cumulative points total in their head. It was 1 frame all with the Warriors ahead 79-66.

Enter the big guns, the number 1 players arrived at the table for their battle. The Wackers Aaron taking on the Warriors Raco, this battle turned out to be a really close affair, Raco took the frame 36 to 33. This put the Warriors ahead 2-1, and still leading on points 115-99.

Todd and Shaan were the next to enter the fray. Shaan couldn’t put a foot wrong, overpowering Todd and winning 62 to 19. The Warriors were now in the driver’s seat leading 3-1, but more importantly had increased their points lead, now sitting at 177-118.

They say that number 3 is a coveted position in cricket, well that is much the same in snooker. Steve had to take our newly crowned ‘B Grade Champion’ this year Peter Snell. Steve, like all good  number 3’s plied his trade skilfully taking out Snelly 49 points to 18. The frame score was 3-2, with the Warriors still leading on points 195-167.

It was now over to the pillars of each team, the number 4’s who hold everyone else up. Peter Shaw was looking to square the ledger against Dave, ensuring that the Wackers remained in the fight, and so he did, winning the match 63 to 33. The Wackers had come off life support and were now level 3 frames each, and more importantly they now lead on points 230-228. This great contest was really going down to the wire.

The reverse doubles kicked off with Todd and Steve taking on the Warriors gunn team of Raco and Shaan. The Warriors pair took out their opponents winning 73 to 31. Wrestling back the lead 4 frames to 3, but more importantly they were ahead on points 301-261.

The spectators outside around the fire pit were using fingers and toes, removing  their shoes trying to calculate figures above 20. The difference was 40 points, meaning the Warriors could lose the frame as long as the Wackers didn’t beat them by a score of 41 or more.

Aaron and Pete Shaw knew their task when they started the fight against Dave and Snelly. This match was one for the ages. The Wackers fought and fought hard to get themselves within winning range, the pink and black needed to be sunk by the Wackers for them to take the title. Unfortunately it proved a bridge too far and the Warrior pair sank the pink, thus making it impossible for the Wackers. The teams called it a night shaking hands.

The Warriors in titanic battle won, showing true warrior spirit becoming Ocean Grove Snooker Legends for 2025. Congratulations to all the Warrior players Neil Fuller (Team Captain/Table Owner), Paul Racevic, Shaan Briggs, Dave Kilpatrick, Peter Snell and Peter Clark. Well done on a fabulous year.

As always, a massive thanks must go out to Lisa and Dean for providing the venue. Another thank you to everyone who contributed on the night, referees, scorers, hamburger cooks and of course to you the players in the peanut gallery who were sharing your snooker expertise with anyone willing to listen.