By Arnold Farrugia
Miguel Amato won the fifth qualifying tournament for the 2024 Blackball Nations Cup after beating Dejan Grech 10-5 in the final. Amato stunned his opponent when he established a 5-1 lead and although Grech repeatedly reduced the gap , it was difficult for him to reach his opponent. In the under 23 final, Liam Mifsud beat Deacon Formosa 9-5. It was an entertaining encounter with Mifsud gaining an early advantage but with Formosa managing to turn the tables in some moments. As at one point the score was 5-5, Liam Mifsud was determined to close the match as he won the next four frames for a final score of 9-5. Meanwhile in a very balanced and uncertain final, Chaylon Castaldi beat Steven Muscat 9-7 in the category under 18 years while in the seniors 40+ final, Antoine Schembri overcame the tough challenge of Stephen Mangion 10-9. Finally in the Masters 50+ final, Jesmond Schembri was so dominant over Conrad Catania that he won 10-3.
