DAVID & David (D&D) Lawyers Enforcers and Guard Dog Security Services (GDSS) Doggies stunned the crowd by advancing to the preliminary finals of the highly competitive Lae City Corporate 8-Ball Pool Snooker Challenge, following their impressive victories over top contenders Simak Auto Marine Tsunami and JJ Investments Limited on Monday night.
In a dominating display, D&D Enforcers secured a decisive 4-1 win against the competition leaders, Tsunami, by taking the first five frames, while GDSS Doggies staged a remarkable comeback to edge out JJIL 4-3 in a nail-biting encounter.
Tsunami’s Wandil Bradshaw got off to a flying start, claiming the opening frame in the male singles against Enforcers’ Steward Pea, giving his team an early advantage, but Enforcers quickly responded in the female singles, with Natasha David-Siki outplaying Terryanne Manape to level the score at 1-all.
Enforcers continued to build momentum, as captain Joshua Samol and Natasha Paska teamed up to win the mixed doubles, stretching their lead to 2-1, before Matu Bazo’s thrilling victory over Jason Jigede in the open singles pushed the Enforcers further ahead, 3-1.
With the pressure mounting, Alex Bai sealed the win for the Enforcers in the fifth frame, defeating Michael Aibale in the male singles to secure a well-deserved 4-1 victory.
In the other quarterfinal playoff, GDSS Doggies’ captain Ben Johnson led the charge in the opening frame, but ultimately fell short against JJIL’s Gilbert Tan, however, Esther Auri’s impressive win in the female singles brought the Doggies level at 1-all.
JJIL regained the lead in the mixed doubles, only for Doggies’ captain Manlee Vali to level the scores once more at 2-all, sparking a intense seesaw battle, which saw JJIL take the fifth frame, only for the Doggies to respond in the open doubles, with Joe Auri and Kiuk Namban forcing a decider at 3-all.
As the clock struck midnight, Namban’s dramatic win in the seventh frame sealed the victory for the Doggies, 4-3, capping off an unforgettable night of 8-Ball Pool action.
Both teams will now enjoy a well-deserved break before preparing for the preliminary finals playoff on Sunday, where the stakes will be higher than ever.
Tsunami will face the winners of the Pia’hu Consultancy Rack&Fire and Aviat Pokies Rebels game, while JJIL will take on the winners of the Executive Security Services Scorpions (1) and NKW Group Frozen Niners games this week, with the winners advancing to the 2pm Preliminary finals on Saturday.
The victors will then clash with the Doggies and Enforcers respectively, in the grand final showdown at 5pm at the Aviat Club in Lae, with the championship title hanging in the balance.
