Australian Billiards & Snooker Council

News

SWEET REVENGE FOR STEVE MIFSUD
28 May 2007

An appreciative crowd of 300 people saw Steve Mifsud exact revenge for last year’s defeat in the Kings Australia Cup snooker tournament when he defeated World ranked No. 7 player Neil Robertson 4-2 in an entertaining and attacking match at the Kings Entertainment Complex in suburban Dingley over the weekend.These same two players had met in last year’s final with Robertson being the victor on that occasion by the same scoreline.

Mifsud won the first frame with a 42 break being the main contribution. Robertson showed his world class in the next to post a total clearance of 142 winning the highest break prize of the tournament to level the match at one apiece. Mifsud was not to be intimidated by this impressive display and won the next two frames with breaks of 49, 51 and 58 to lead 3 -1. In the following frame Robertson displayed consumate professional skill and some beautiful long potting to take it comfortably. It was Steve Mifsud, however, who proved what a formidable player he is by knocking in a stunning long opening red from tight on the baulk cushion to get in early in the next frame. Mifsud compiled enough points from this opportunity to leave Robertson needing a snooker with just blue, pink and black remaining on the table. A few shots later Mifsud fluked the blue and Robertson gamely fought on requiring three snookers on the pink. He succeeded in getting one of the required snookers but unintentionally potted the pink on his next visit to give Mifsud the match 4-2.

Neil congratulated Steve on his win and thanked his sponsors CL and S and Kings for promoting snooker at such a high level in Australia. Neil suggested that other professional players may be interested to travel to Australia in future to compete in this event in the off season. As the winner of the tournament, Steve Mifsud thanked all those who attended and said that such a large crowd really added a lot of atmosphere to the final. He also had very warm words for hos opponent Neil Robertson and said that Neil is a great representative for Australian snooker on the World stage. “Neil has reached such a high standard in snooker in World terms and what’s really amazing is that he continues to improve! He has a brilliant future ahead of him.”

The Kings Encouragement Award was presented to Brad Harris for battling through two qualifing matches and then winning three main event matches to get to the round of the last 16. The Consolation Plate event was won by local Kings player Danny Bedi.

Report by Terry Chapman (Tournament Director)