The Maltese player Johan Attard achieved an exceptional result for himself and his country when he reached the final of the IPA Professional Blackball Tour held in Coventry. He was unlucky to lose 10-9 in the final against Englishman Clint I’Anson in a very balanced game. At one point Attard was winning 9-7 but I’Anson made a series of four sevens and blacks with which he continued to win one frame after another in order to win this final.
Attard’s run throughout this competition was a very impressive one as he produced some very nice games. He defeated reigning world champion Gareth Hibbot 8-6 to advance to the quarter-finals. There he had to face reigning European champion Craig Marsh where he won 9-5 in order to advance to the semi-finals.
In the last four phase, Attard showed his best game as he remained firm despite the tough challenge given by the Englishman Lee Shepherd to win 9-8 in a dramatic way.
This was one of the best results a Maltese player has ever achieved at this professional level.
Also in action was Clint Grima who was eliminated in the last 64 phase.
