Hundreds of pool players descended on the Palace Hotel in Douglas to compete in the fourth round of the IPA Tour the weekend before last.

In amongst a field of visiting players, there was a large contingent of Manx competitors who entered looking for a shot at fame and fortune.

But by the time Saturday evening’s first final came along, there were two very familiar faces from the professional ranks - Liam Dunster and Marc Farnsworth, perhaps the two most in-form pool players out there at present.

Calling it was never going to be easy, but Dunster’s meticulous, unflustered style came through on this occasion with an 8-2 scoreline, instantly promoting him to hot favourite for the weekend double, with the international open still to play.

Leading the local charge was the island’s professional pool player, Dave Addinall, who reached the last eight.

After a night off, those left in returned to the tables on Sunday morning for the conclusions of the three remaining tournaments.

With the BBC enthusiastically showcasing as much IPA Pool as the tour could give them, every second of every final was streamed live to a watching audience, giving that bit more exposure to some and proving that there are some serious amateurs coming through the ranks ready to turn professional over the years ahead.

In the women’s event, Deb Burchell would be the first to tell you that she has struggled since winning the world title in 2016, but class is permanent and poor Vicki Lomax - one of the best female players herself - came out the wrong end of a 5-2 scoreline in an enthralling if nervous final.

The women’s game is getting stronger and stronger, tournament on tournament and, with Burchell back in the groove, it just got that bit more competitive.

In the amateur final, you could easily be forgiven for questioning the name - the standard is almost as high as that of the professionals and hats off to both Michael Tomlinson and Scott Anderson for producing a final of the highest calibre.

With the early frames falling Anderson’s way before Tomlinson gathered momentum to take it to a last-frame decider, the final had everything you could ask for in a pool match.

It was a shame that either player had to lose, but Tomlinson came through 7-6 in the end after a pressurised last-frame clearance.

The open competition sees everyone involved at the beginning, both amateurs and professionals, but by Sunday evening all that were left were the four semi-finalists.

Craig Marsh beat world champion Jon McAllister 7-3 and Farnsworth gained his revenge on Dunster 7-5 in an all-professional line-up.

Sadly Marsh never really got into top gear in the final and you cannot do that against a player of Farnsworth’s ability as he added yet another trophy to the cabinet after a 7-3 success that continued his outstanding season.

And so, at the end of Sunday evening, the tables were taken down and the players went their separate ways.

Of course, the pool is the focal point of this article but thanks must go to the people of the Isle of Man who made everyone all feel very welcome from start to finish.

The hotel has a view to die for, the food and drink are excellent, and the ’locals’ very friendly, which made for an enjoyable as well as competitive weekend.

Lo and behold, the IPA Tour will be back in the Isle of Man in January for the Grand Finals - for more information, head to www.ipapool.com

INTERNATIONAL

PROFESSIONAL

- Dave Addinall

joint 17th

INTERNATIONAL AMATEUR

Jason Gaines - joint ninth

Jonny Hogg joint 17th

Nick Stephens, Tommy Miller, Stephen Rhodes, Andrew Kneale and Rob Callister - joint 33rd

John Craine, Luke Eastaff,

Teresa Evans, Frankie Pitts, Chris Dagnall, Jenny O’Loughlin, Sean Corkish, Garry Christian and John Kennish - joint 65th

INTERNATIONAL LADIES

Teresa Evans - joint ninth

Maria Marlow - joint 11th

Jenny O’Loughlin - joint 21st

For for results, head to www.ipapool.com