Rapoport makes it nine

THE 2010 Victorian Jewish Snooker and Eightball Open culminated in two high-quality finals befitting an outstanding month of competition.

Club champion Eilon Rapoport took out the snooker tournament in an epic encounter, while Adam Wisniewski dominated the eightball decider.

With eight open titles already under his belt, Maccabi Snooker Club’s most successful player Rapoport went head-to-head with defending champion Tony Fridman and the mouthwatering match-up lived up to the hype.

The pair went the distance in a seven-frame marathon, with Rapoport prevailing 4-3 to clinch a record ninth title.

In contrast, it was smooth sailing for Wisniewski, who swept aside two-time former champion Steve Yarrow 5-2 to claim his first championship. He also became the first player from outside the Victoria Maccabi Snooker Club to win the competition in 15 years.

Other tournament highlights included three seven-ball bonus games in the eightball competition, including two from Simon Rudov and one from Antony Michael. Stuart Nathan took out the inaugural prize of $50 for the player who finished the furthest in the tournament outside of the top 16 players, while Stephen Rabin won the corresponding award in the snooker competition.

Still with snooker, and Fridman registered the highest break of 45 in the semifinals.

All trophies and prize money were awarded at the club’s presentation night at Brighton International receptions on Thursday.