9-ball back in Chch after quakes closed city pool halls

New Zealand's number one nine-ball pool player Matt Edwards took part in the first tournament in Christchurch since the region's earthquakes devastated the sport's central city venues.

What a return it was Matthew Edwards lost a thrilling final to Marco Teutscher 11-10 after two gruelling days of competition amongst over 50 of the top nine ball players in New Zealand plus two from Australia who made the journey across the Tasman to support and contest the Slate Canterbury 9 Ball Open 2018. Pool Canterbury Inc sends out a huge thanks to all who participated and supported in so many ways. The future of nine ball in Canterbury is looking great again.

A Canterbury sport which lost its main venues in the 2010-11 earthquakes - is making a comeback after seven years in competitive limbo.

The first Pool Canterbury nine-ball tournament was held in Christchurch this weekend with over 50 of the country's top pool practitioners present.

It's not often that an event has a defending champion who has held the crown for seven years, but that's the case in nine-ball with 2010 Greg Croudis returning to put his title on the line.

Croudis - now living in Blenheim after earlier playing in Christchurch - will have to be on his mettle to regain the trophy with New Zealand's number one nine-ball player Matt Edwards, formerly of Kaiapoi but now based in Auckland.

Three other top-five players Brendan Ng (Dunedin), Simon Singleton (Queenstown) and Toan Nguyen (Auckland) in the field, along with four-time former national champion Ceri Worts, a former Canterbury player now residing in Blenheim.

New Zealand snooker champion Bayden Jackson (Napier) entered his first nine-ball tournament as an unranked player.

Molrudee Kasemchaiyanan, New Zealand's number one female player, headed the women's field.

Pool Canterbury event organiser Graeme Watson said it was good to have the sport going again in Christchurch after a frustrating time due "the devastating quakes closing all the pool halls in the CBD".

"Many players in Canterbury have had little opportunity to play nine ball at a competitive level, having to travel to Auckland and latterly Boweys pool Room in Dunedin."

Watson said nine-ball had become the sport's dominant professional game and New Zealand had been represented at the last two World Cup of Pool tournaments.

The Canterbury tournament was played at the Slate Room, 160 Lichfield St, on Saturday and Sunday.

© Scoop Media