De la Haye edges out Kirk in epic final thriller

Thursday 22nd May 2008, 2:29PM BST.

James Kirk, left, took champion Jess de la Haye to a last-frame decider in the Junior Island Championship final. (Picture by Andrew Le Poidevin, 0534767)

JESS DE LA HAYE retained the Junior Island Pool Championship against James Kirk after one of the best finals in years. Taking place at Happy Landings on Sunday, there were no shocks as the two rivals and great friends made their way to the top.

De la Haye had to come from behind to win on the final frame. ‘They were both, without doubt, awesome,’ said Kirk’s father and chairman of the Guernsey World Pool Association, Trevor.

‘It was the finest, nail-biting final seen in Guernsey at any level for a very long time.’ De la Haye reached the final when he got the better of Sam Hale in the semi-final while Kirk took care of Jay Ferbrache.