The Lockout Sets Up Title Showdown

A sell out, and often noisy crowd of 4 turned up to see The Peolpe's Champion, The Jackal,  take on hotshot Lockout. A match of 2 and half hours, interrupted by a special birthday dinner for the players as a tribute to Lockout's 35th birthday, did not disappoint even though Lockout ran out a deserved winner 4-0. The first frame saw Lockout bristle with intent against The Jackal's stifling hit and run snooker. Lockout hit a 15 break to ease ahead but The Jackal dug in with some great play of his own. But then with a 25 clearance Lockout stormed to the frame. 1-0. The second frame was more open but more scrappy. Again The Jackal refused to be intimidated by Lockout's firepower, but just as The Jackal sensed a comeback, Lockout potted yellow to blue (14) to win again. 2-0. The third frame saw The Jackal attack with some fine pots, often following a red with a black, but again Lockout returned the compliment. The Jackal laid 2 snookers on the last red, 2 more on the yellow, but Lockout held his nerve with 3 consecutive colours. 3-0. The Jackal, far from being beaten, raised his game another gear in the 4th frame. Despite a 16 from Lockout, The Jackal only trailed by 6 up to the colours in a high quality, high tempo frame. Lockout even pretended to fall off his stool in an attempt to distract The Jackal. It worked, The Jackal played three consecutive fouls and it was all over.  4-0. The Jackal had pushed Lockout all the way and only some fantastic breaks by Lockout prevented a Jackal victory. The Jackal must have hopes of catching The Badger who is in free fall. Lockout with 5 breaks in double figures has fired a warning to The Hurricane.

Frame scores :

Lockout 4 vs 0 The Jackal  74(25,15) - 26(8), 61(14) - 30(8), 71(12) - 31(4), 54(16) - 22(8)

Post match comments :

The Jackal - 'The Peolpe's Champion was beaten by the champion elect'.

Lockout - Bring on The Hurricane'