Europe Win 2010 Mosconi Cup

The Mosconi Cup comes back home as Europe took just two matches in the last session to overcome the Americans 11-8. The first match of the evening session saw Van Boening take on the Mosconi Cup 2010 MVP Darren Appleton. Van Boening won the lag and cut and run from his initial break. Appleton replied instantly before Van Boening made an illegal break in the third to allow Appleton to take the lead. Appleton missed the two ball in the fourth rack but went onto make a 4-9 combination shot to make it 3-1. Van Boening kept in the hunt with a cut and run to make it 3-2 but Appleton shut him out. He again replied with a cut and run of his own in the sixth rack before Van Boening missed the one ball to let Appleton reach the hill. Appleton finished Van Boening off in style with an average break, potting a ball, but then making a 3-5 combination and a length bank four ball on his way to winning the game 6-2. Meaning that Europe were on the hill.

Who better to bring the Mosconi Cup home but captain Ralf Souquet. He hasn't had the best tournament by any means but winning the final point for Europe will be a sweet ending for The Kaiser. His opponent was Corey Deuel but Souquet won the lag and set the marker with a cut and run. Deuel replied before taking the third after Souquet missed the seven following a missed safety on the two from Deuel. Deuel then extended his lead to 3-1 after a safety battle from Deuel's dry break. Deuel then fouled on the two in the fifth frame to let Souquet pull a leg, the German then levelled after potting a five from a snooker from Deuel. Souquet re-took the lead with a crucial cut and run and made it to hill in the eighth after both players were showing signs of nerves. Souquet missed the two in the ninth following a push out to allow Deuel back to the table, he went onto make a 4-9 combination to make it 5-4. Europe weren't to be denied and Deuel came up dry in the tenth break to allow Souquet a clear run. He made a 2-7 carom on his way to the nine ball to win the game 6-4 and win Europe the Mosconi Cup 2010 11-8.

Barclay's Premier League Round-Up 11/12/10-/12/12/10

With four of the top five teams meeting this weekend was always going to be explosive, that's before Manchester United and Arsenal face off in this week's Monday Night Football. There was no Saturday lunch-time kick-offs so we went head long into five three o'clock kick-offs.

Surprisingly there were two 0-0 draws this weekend as Fulham drew at home to Sunderland while Everton drew with Wigan. Aston Villa curbed their recent bad run of form with a nervy win against rivals West Brom. Stewart Downing got on the end of an Albrighton cross after 25 minutes to give Villa the lead. Heskey continued his revitalised goalscoring form with Villa's second ten minutes from the end. Paul Scharner pulled one back just before injury time but Villa held on for the win.

Manchester City's off field problems continued but results on the pitch keep coming. Yaya Toure put City ahead away to struggling West Ham on the half hour mark. Toure was the curator of the second goal as well as his shot hit post and rebounded off the back of Green to make it 2-0. Substitute Adam Johnson sealed it with nine minutes remaining but James Tomkins scored a consolation just before added time. City's temperamental problems hit again as Balotelli reacted angrily at being subbed but the worse news for City is that Tevez wants out of Eastlands.

Blackpool's surprising season continues as they managed to hold out for a 1-0 victory over Stoke at The Britannia. DJ Campbell scored the only goal of the match three minutes into the second half. Although how the game finished 1-0 is beyond me as both teams with the woodwork on more than one occasion.

Saturday's tea time kick-off saw Alan Pardew sit in the Newcastle dug out for the first time as they entertained Liverpool. Kevin Nolan put the hosts ahead after fifteen minutes before Dirk Kuyt equalised four minutes into the second half. Pardew's side weren't to be denied the points as Joey Barton made it 2-1 with ten minutes remaining and then Andy Carroll sealed it ten minutes with a twenty five yard strike.

There were three games today with three local derbies. The first installment of Super Sunday saw the Lancashire derby between Bolton and Blackburn. The main action took place in the second half and it started eleven minutes into the second half when Mark Davies received a second yellow to reduce Bolton to ten men. It didn't faze them as they went onto take the lead through Muamba after 65 minutes. Blackburn had thought they had earned a point when Mame Biram Diouf equalised with three minutes remaining. But wasn't going to be the case as Stuart Holden scored a minute later to give Bolton the 2-1 win.

The non-televised game was a Midlands derby between Wolves and Birmingham. A sole goal from Stephen Hunt just before half-time gave Wolves the victory at Molineux.

Chelsea's win-less form continued in Super Sunday's second installment as they were held by Tottenham. Roman Pavlyuchenko put Spurs ahead after fifteen minutes. Drogba equalised with twenty minutes remaining but Chelsea could have won it in injury time, Chelsea were awarded a penalty and Drogba insisted he would take it over Lampard but Gomes saved it and the match finished 1-1. Allowing either Manchester United or Arsenal to extend their lead over Chelsea tomorrow.

Mosconi Cup: Day 4, Afternoon Session

The 2010 Mosconi Cup reaches its final day with the score at 8-6 to Europe. The format now becomes all singles matches and are extended back to race to six. The first match saw Morris take on Immonen, Morris was unusually looking subdued and it showed in his pool. Morris won the lag and made two balls from the initial break before electing for a push out. He went on to miss the two to allow Immonen to take the first rack. Immonen cut and run in the second rack with two balls down and a bank of the one ball on his way to taking the 2-0 lead. Morris came up dry in the third which decided to push out from. Morris missed the jump pot but Immonen also failed to pot the one, allowing Morris to pull one back. Immonen regained momentum with another cut and run in the fourth to make it 3-1 and the edgy Morris missed a safety attempt to leave Immonen a clear up to make it 4-1. Immonen's flawless breaking continued as he made it to the hill and wasted no time in winning the game 6-1 when Morris missed the three ball twice after a nice 3-5 combination. Making it 9-6 to Europe.

The second saw Archer participate in the must win game against Boyes. Archer won the lag but came up dry. A nervous Boyes fouled on the three, leaving Archer to take the rack. Boyes' nerves fared no better after he scratched on his break to allow Archer a 2-9 combination to make it 2-0. Archer stamped his authority with a cut and run to get halfway to the vital point and made it 4-0 when Boyes missed a safety on the one ball. Archer cut his own momentum by making an illegal break to give Boyes a rack back with the clear-up. Boyes then made a superlative jump bank pot on the three before missing an average four with his next shot. Allowing Archer to get to the hill at 5-1. Archer couldn't seal it in the next rack as he came up dry yet again, Boyes cleared up which included a 1-7 combination. Boyes pulled another rack back in the eighth with a cut and run. With Archer on the back foot he snookered himself on the two after his next break, allowing Boyes to be within one of The Scorpion. Boyes then levelled after Archer surprisingly scratched on the six. But he managed to stumble over the line with a final cut and run to win 6-5. Making the score now 9-7 to Europe.

The final game of the session saw Hatch take on Van Den Berg. Van Den Berg won the lag but scratched off the break to leave Hatch with a clear-up. Hatch doubled his lead with a cut and run before Van Den Berg scratched for a second time off the break. Van Den Berg had a chance to pull a rack back but he missed the six to give Hatch a 4-0 advantage. It started to turn in the fifth as Van Den Berg made a cut and run before Hatch scratched off the break to make it 4-2. Van Den Berg followed up with another cut and run with Hatch then scratching again to leave a 5-9 combination for Van Den Berg. Van Den Berg made two off the break in the ninth but had to play safe. Hatch then made an unsporting intentional foul to tie up the three, four and five. However karma came around and allowed Van Den Berg to clear-up to make it 5-4 to the Dutchman. Hatch replied instantly with a cut and run to take it into the final rack where Van Den Berg would be breaking. It turned into a safety duel with Van Den Berg potting the one and Hatch potting the two. Van Den Berg then fouled on the four after being snookered to give Hatch the clear-up and to win the game 6-5. Making the score 9-8 in favour of Europe going into the final session tonight.

Mosconi Cup: Day 3, Evening Session

With Europe taking the afternoon session 2-1, the overall score was now 5-5 going into the penultimate evening session. Europe still failed to take the lead after Appleton & Van Den Berg went 4-1 ahead against Hatch & Van Boening. But the plucky Americans fought back and won the following four racks to take the game 5-4 and give USA the lead yet again, 6-5.

With a pattern emerging you might have been able to predict the outcome of the second match as Boyes & Souquet took on Morris & Archer. The Europeans again led 4-1 before Morris & Archer were able to pull it back to 4-4. The final break was a good one from Souquet and Europe won the game 5-4. Equalising the overall score for the fifth time so far.

Then the tables turned as Hatch took on Appleton in an explosive encounter. This time it was Hatch who flew out of the traps to take a 4-1 lead. But just like in the previous two matches, Appleton pulled it back to 4-4. Hatch was favourite to win the final rack after he broke but he missed the eight allowing Appleton to storm in and steal the game 5-4. Giving Europe the lead for the first time since the team game on day 1.

The final game saw Van Den Berg & Immonen take on Van Boening & Deuel with the Americans needing to level overnight. However the Americans looked like they had ran out of steam and the Europeans won 5-1. Meaning that after day 3 Europe lead 8-6, with the final day left to play.

Mosconi Cup: Day 3, Afternoon Session

As the weekend approaches, the Mosconi Cup has afternoon sessions on days three and four. The matches are also cut shorter so it becomes a race to five not six. Day three's afternoon session kicked off with doubles action as Boyes & Immonen took on Hatch & Archer. With the Americans having a second overnight lead at 4-3, Archer won the lag so the Americans would break first. Hatch made a good starting break with two balls down but Archer looked hampered on the two ball. However he was able to fluke it, showing the first signs of good luck, but Hatch missed the following three allowing Europe to clear up and take the lead. It was 2-0 straight after when Immonen's break led to a cut and run and it went to 3-0 after Archer made a ball from the break but Hatch missed a difficult one ball, leaving the clear up for the Europeans. Boyes scratched off the break in rack four allowing the Americans to put a rack on the board but Hatch returned the favour to allow Europe to take a 4-1 lead. With the victory in sight, Immonen powered three balls in the break to leave Europe an easy cut and run to win the game 5-1 and again level overall.

Archer and Immonen stayed out as the second match was also a doubles match. Deuel accompanied Archer this time with Souquet partnering Immonen. This time the Europeans won the lag but Immonen couldn't take advantage from his break. Deuel played a majestic 2-8 carom double pot before it all got defensive. That was until Archer made another fluke with a 3-4 combination to allow America to take the first rack. Deuel then made an illegal break but left the cue ball agonisingly in the jaws so the Europeans could do nothing so America doubled their lead. Souquet made two balls from the break in the third rack but had to elect for a push out. Deuel missed a safety attempt to allow Europe to pull a rack back. Archer restored a two rack lead with a quick cut and run but Deuel again missed a safety attempt in the fifth to allow the score to become 3-2. Deuel made a ball in the sixth before electing a push out that was given back, Archer's guardian angel was shining again, as he fluked a 2-7 combination before leaving a snooker that Immonen fouled from, making it 4-2. Souquet made a ball off the break in the seventh but it was not enough as the American pairing took the rack to win 5-2 and regain the overall lead 5-4.

The final game of the afternoon saw Rodney Morris take on the debutant Karl Boyes. Boyes won the lag but scratched from the break to allow Morris to take the early lead. Morris' opening break saw two balls potted but another stroke of luck as the cue ball balanced in the jaws of the pocket. Boyes got the last laugh, however, as Morris failed to make a decent safety attempt to give Boyes the chance to level the score. Boyes took the momentum with a cut and run in the third to take the lead, before Morris retaliated with a cut and run of his own which included a bank shot on the two, making the score 2-2. Boyes again mastered the break with another cut and run to re-take the lead. Morris looked to respond again but became too casual and surprisingly missed the nine to give Boyes a present to make it to the hill. Boyes then finished The Rocket off with yet another cut and run to win the game 5-2. Making the overall 5-5 as we go into the evening session later tonight.

Mosconi Cup: Day 2

With USA taking the overnight lead, Europe had to perform in the second day. However it turned out to be just as close as day one with both teams providing great entertainment. The opening match of the night was the final match of day one, which was postponed, between Archer & Van Boening against the English duo Appleton & Boyes. The game had everything you could have expected with missed shots, inventive shots and everything in between. The game finished 6-3 to Appleton & Boyes but it could have been over sooner if Boyes hadn't have let nerves get the better of him to miss a nine ball. This win put Europe back level with USA at 2-2.

The second game saw Archer stay at the table as he took on Souquet, neither captain had started the tournament well with Souquet just about playing worse. This showed when Archer stormed into a 4-0 lead. But out of the blue Souquet found his potting cue and got back at Archer to lead 5-4, to Archer's amazement. But Souquet ran out of steam and Archer won the remaining two racks to take the game 6-5. Giving USA a 3-2 lead.

Darron Appleton was already looking for the MVP award with another stellar performance as he & Souquet took on Morris and Deuel. The Americans went 5-4 ahead and looked to be cruising to a 6-4 victory when a cut and run was on the cards. But Deuel badly overshot position which Morris failed to play safe and Europe levelled. With Europe breaking in the final rack Appleton potted three balls and Europe cleared to snatch the win 6-5. Again levelling overall 3-3.

The final match of the night for that crucial overnight lead saw Van Boening take on Van Den Berg. Van Den Berg was looking good and was having the luck on his side. But the score still went to 5-5 and the final rack saw Van Boening fluke a safe two which allowed him to make a 3-9 combination to seal the win 6-5 and give USA the overnight lead at 4-3.

Mosconi Cup: Day 1

Nine-Ball Pool's answer to the Ryder Cup started yesterday in the York Hall, Bethnal Green. The 17th annual Mosconi cup sees the five best Americans take on the five best Europeans in a four day event. Matches are first to six racks and the team that gets eleven points first become champions. USA won the Mosconi Cup last year with a 11-7 victory.

Opening match of the tournament saw all five members of each team take on each other in the baker match. Nick Van Den Berg of Holland broke the first rack after captain Souquet of Germany won the lag, he potted two from the break but the one ball was unpottable. This lead to a defensive battle which the German captain Souquet finished by banking it. USA went onto take the initiative but Hatch missed the four ball, from there Europe cut and run with Van Den Berg potting the nine to give Europe a 1-0 lead.
The breaking format is alternate so Rodney 'Rocket' Morris broke for USA in the second rack, he potted a ball but the team elected for a push out. Souquet stepped up and made a snooker which Johnny Archer re-made and Mika 'Iceman' Immonen of Finland escaped it. Shane Van Boening as next to provide a snooker which Souquet escaped. Englishman Karl Boyes turned the tables on his Mosconi Cup debut with a snooker of his own which Morris escaped. Corey Deuel finally potted the one ball but Archer missed the two. Englishman Darron Appleton potted it and Europe cut and run with Immonen potting the nine ball to make it 2-0.
Souquet broke in the third and potted a ball but a defensive encounter ensued. Van Den Berg misses the two which Dennis Hatch potted. Morris followed with a nice carom off the three ball to pot the eight and USA cleared up with Deuel potting the nine to make it 2-1.
Archer potted two balls in his break and USA were looking like they were going cut and run before Van Boening missed the eight. Appleton potted it and Immonen potted the nine to make it 3-1.
Souquet broke again in the fifth and potted a ball but snookered his teammate on the two ball and elected to push out. Hatch missed his pot but luckily got a snooker. Van Den Berg replaced the snooker but because no ball touched a cushion it was deemed a foul and USA were awarded a ball in hand. USA cut and run with Deuel potting the nine ball again to make it 2-3.
Archer pulled a dry break on his second attempt in the match. Appleton missed the one ball which Van Boening potted. Morris then missed the three ball which Immonen potted to allow Europe to cut and run with Souquet potting the nine. 2-4.
Boyes broke in the seventh rack and Van Den Berg produced a snooker. Deuel escaped and Archer went onto pot the two ball. Deuel made a snooker on the six ball which Immonen scratched from to allow USA to cut and run. Morris potted the nine ball to make it 3-4.
Deuel then broke dry and Souquet potted the one but snookered teammate Boyes on the two. Boyes' attempt saw the two finish in the jaws of the pocket leaving Archer an easy pot. Van Boening then left the three open allowing Van Den Berg to pot it. Appleton applied pressure with a snooker on the four but Hatch escaped. Morris went onto pot the four but Deuel missed the five. Souquet then potted the five before a safety duel occurred. Van Boening went onto bank the seven to allow Hatch to pot the eight and Morris the nine to level the score at 4-4.
Immonen made the first illegal break of the night, he potted a ball but two others failed to pass the head string. Deuel missed the one though and Souquet punished him. Archer made a pot on the three which allowed USA to cut and run with Van Boening potting the nine ball to give USA the lead for the first time.
Hatch broke for the win and potted a ball but USA elected for a push out which the Europeans decided to give back. Van Den Berg applied pressure with a snooker but Deuel replaced it and Appleton escaped . Archer then made a 1-3 combination shot before Immonen made a snooker. Hatch managed to fluke the one but Morris missed the two, leaving Souquet to snooker. Boyes went onto pot the two before Van Den Berg missed a 4-6 combination. Morris fouled on the eight ball leaving Appleton to pot it and Immonen to pot the nine to make it 5-5.
The final rack was broke by Souquet and he potted a ball. Deuel missed the one which Van Den Berg potted to allow Europe to cut and run, Immonen potted the nine and Europe won the first point with a 5-6 victory.
The second game saw a doubles match between Hatch & Morris against Souquet & Van Den Berg. Morris broke first after winning the lag but came up dry and it was also illegal. Van Den Berg missed a early carom onto the nine and Hatch made a snooker from it. Souquet escaped it but Morris potted the one to allow them to cut and run with Morris finishing what he started. 1-0.
Van Den Berg broke in the second and potted a ball. Hatch potted the two after a mistake and he went onto finish what he started to give them a 2-0 lead.
Hatch potted three balls off his break but they still elected to push out. It was given back and Morris made a snooker. Souquet fouled to allow Morris to snooker again on the four. Van Den Berg escaped and Souquet managed to pot the four before he scratched on the nine ball. Morris did the honours to make it 3-0.
Souquet potted a ball of his break but it scratched and nine ball also went down. With the nine ball re-spotted Hatch and Morris cut and run to make it 4-0.
Morris potted two balls from his break in the fifth but Hatch played safe on the three. It didn't work as Van Den Berg fluked the three but Souquet missed the easy four. Morris punished The Kaiser but missed the six after a poor positional finish from Hatch. Van den Berg potted the six but again over-ran for position which Souquet went onto miss the seven. The Americans finished it off and made 5-0.
Van Den Berg broke to keep his partner and himself in the game, he made a ball. Van Den Berg went onto produce a snooker which Morris escaped from. Souquet potted the five to allow the Europeans to cut and run to pull a leg back, 5-1.
Hatch made a ball in the seventh but Morris elected for a push out which was given back. It was the right choice as Souquet potted the one to allow the cut and run to make it 5-2.
Souquet broke dry in the eighth but Hatch could only provide a snooker. Van Den Berg replaced it but Morris chip potted the one ball before Hatch missed the two. Souquet then produced a snooker which Morris escaped but left the two on. Van Den Berg potted it to cut and run to make it 5-3.
Morris broke and potted the one ball to give himself and Hatch a great opportunity to cut and run. Hatch however missed the eight ball after bad position from Morris to allow the Europeans to pull it back to 5-4.
Van Den Berg broke in the tenth and made two balls. But Van Den Berg went onto miss a reverse bank shot on the four to allow the Americans to cut and run and win the game 6-4. Making the overall score 1-1.
The third game saw a singles match between Corey Deuel and Mika Immonen. The American won the lag and potted two off his opening break. He played safe on the two but Immonen was able to bank it and clear up to take a 0-1 lead.
Immonen made the first cut and run straight form the break to double his lead before Deuel scratched his break in the third. This gave The Iceman the chance to make a 1-9 combination and he didn't disappoint. 0-3.
Immonen made another three balls from his second break and potted the four in off the seven. But he missed a safety shot on the six allowing Deuel to cut and run and put a rack on the board. 1-3.
It was soon 2-3 when Deuel made two balls of the next break leaving him a 3-9 carom. The American took it to go within one of his opponent.
Immonen carried on the fine breaking form with another two balls. He snookered Deuel on the two before going onto pot it. Deuel then made a snooker on the three before scratching. Immonen potted the four before then scratching as well, leaving Deuel to clear up and equalise, 3-3.
Deuel made the first illegal break of the game despite potting a ball. Deuel then missed an inventive 2-9 combination which left the same combination on for Immonen. The Finn didn't miss and restored his lead. 3-4.
Immonen made another three ball on his break before playing safe on the three. Deuel went onto pot it and clear up to level again at 4-4.
Deuel also potted three balls from his next break in the ninth. Immonen potted the two ball before missing the six but getting a snooker. Deuel returned the favour which left Immonen to scratch the cue ball, allowing Deuel to take the lead for the first time, 5-4.
Immonen made two balls in the tenth rack before producing a snooker on the two ball. Deuel again returned the favour which Immonen intentionally fouled from to tie up some balls. What he didn't count on was for Deuel to make a 2-9 combination to win the game 6-4.
There was supposed to be another doubles match but it was getting late so the referees decided to leave it until tomorrow. This meant that after day one of the 17th Mosconi Cup USA lead 2-1.