Wilson and Slessor offer finishing touch to Cockermouth and District Snooker League season

The 2004 Under-21 world champion Wilson started the revolution that saw a significant change to the end-of-season celebrations some 10 years ago.

Returning with his 22-year-old practice partner and up-and-coming star, Wilson and Slessor started the evening with a best of five frame challenge.

Coming out on top, delivering a break of 105 in the process, Wilson showed the level of performance that took him within a whisker of beating Ronnie O’Sullivan in the World Championships just a few weeks ago.

Slessor, 22, then took on the legion’s very own Andrew McMullen who played an emotional frame in memory of his father (Eric) and brother (Daniel), who this season are sadly no longer with us.

The evening then saw a series of doubles matches come to pass as a number of the season’s winners partnered the pro’s with some hilarious exchanges taking place in the process.

The two main tour pro’s then presented the season’s trophies joining in with the Cumbrian banter along the way.

However, one of the highlights of the night was the black ball challenge finale with the pro’s facing a string of league players in a one-ball shoot-out.

As one-sided as the challenges may have looked, none were more entertaining than the very first with Flimby captain Geoff Banton producing probably the pot of the night to defeat an open jawed Wilson.

League chairman and MC for the evening, Kevin Basnett, said: "Gary and Elliot felt at home here in Workington and endeared themselves to the crowd throughout the evening”.

Basnett added: "The poignancy offered as Andrew [McMullen] presented his Dad’s trophy [the newly-named Eric McMullen Memorial Trophy] was felt throughout the room. He did his Dad and Daniel proud."

Eight months in the planning of the presentation evening wouldn't have come together without the help of some important people, namely Pat and Mark of Workington Legion, league treasurer Dave Chapman and league secretary Andrew Mitchelhill, who all played their part in an efficiently run event.

Finally, though, the league stressed that the evening wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the leagues sponsors - Graeme Pritt and Ann-Marie of The Window Outlet, Workington and the leagues Website Sponsors – Breakaway Snooker and Pool Services.

Basnett said: “I’m delighted everybody thoroughly enjoyed the evening but I cannot thank Gary, Elliott, Graeme, Ann-Marie and Darren enough for the backing they have offered in making this night possible."

2016/17 season winners and Runners-Up

KO Competitions

Performance of the season - Peter Collins

7’s Handicap KO Plate Runners-Up - Station Road A

7’s Handicap KO Plate Winners - The Sun Inn

Trebles Handicap Runners-Up - Mark Robertson, Mike Walker and John Teasdale

Trebles Handicap Winners - Stephen O'Hagan, Peter O'Hagan and Mark Tunstall

Doubles Handicap Runners-Up - Kevin Kirkham and Michael Walker

Doubles Handicap Winners - Robert Sim and Ian Fulton

Singles Handicap Runners-Up - Paul Hickers

Singles Handicap Winners - Stephen O’Hagan

7’s H'cap KO Runners-Up - Flimby Social

7’s H'cap KO Winners (Eric McMullen Memorial Trophy) - Station Road B

Division Two

Wooden spoon - Workington Legion

Division Two High Break - Kevin Basnett (121)

Division Two High Break Aggregate - Kevin Basnett (821)

Division Two Leading Player - Kevin Basnett (95 %)

Division Two Runners-Up - Flimby Social

Division Two Champions - Vets Club

Division Two Top 4 Runners-Up - Flimby

Division Two Top 4 Winners - Vets Club

Division One

Division One High Break - Robert Sim (108)

Division One High Break Aggregate - Robert Sim (605)

Division One Leading Player (Paul Lister Roofing Trophy) - Robert Sim (95%)

Division One Runners-Up - Station Road B

Division One Champions - Workington Cons

Division One Top 4 Runners-Up - Workington Cons

Division One Top 4 Winners - Workington Golf Club