This Is Guernsey

Adam Shorto could not add the CI crown to his island title. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0498703)

ADAM SHORTO could not convert his island title into a Channel Islands one as Jersey’s Aaron Canavan became champion for the first time.

In frame one Canavan started by giving away two fouls after a snooker by Shorto and the Jerseyman soon found himself 46-9 points down after a 22 break from the Sarnian.

Shorto settled himself and made a 44 break to win the frame 107-9 and Jersey fans were left wondering if their wait for a CI champion was set to continue.

Frame two started with Shorto making a 49 break and, with the score 50-6 to the Sarnian, it looked as though he was favourite to double his lead.

But Canavan has a knack of pinching vital frames – and this was one.

Shorto left an open red and Canavan made a 42 break to the green, shortly followed by brown, blue and pink to win the frame 63-53 and level the match.

The home player was now in the groove and made short work of frame three with breaks of 60 and 21 to win 82-0 and take the lead.

In frame four Canavan started with a 32 break and Shorto replied with an effort worth 36.

After some excellent safety play, Canavan made another break of 35 to the blue ball to make the score 67-43 and Shorto conceded with pink and black on the table and Canavan had a 3-1 lead.

After the interval, Canavan required only one more frame to be crowned CI champion and it was looking good for Jersey as he made two early 21 breaks to lead 49-9 and Shorto was beginning to think it was all over.

He did make a 16 break to close the gap to 49-38, but with the score 55-38 on the yellow, Shorto fouled on the black and with Canavan potting the yellow, the Sarnian required a snooker.

Shorto did his best to try to get it, but Canavan finally cleared up to win the frame 76-38 and with it the title.

The final was refereed by international referee Gary Truscott and trophies were presented by JBSA senior vice-president Byron Le Cornu.