Isle of Man Billiards and Snooker Association’s fourth ranking event of the season proved to be the most prolific yet in respect of the amount and size of the high breaks.

This was despite the fact that there were fewer players taking part than in earlier rounds.

With this being the last chance to qualify for this season’s new event, the Grand Prix, together with the 2022 Premier League and possible international event selection, there was plenty at stake.

In the group stages the highlights included Darryl Hill narrowly missing out on a ton, having to make do with 96 against Ivan McMaw.

Dave Addinall, making his first appearance in the series, hit Lee Gale with a barrage. A possible max came to an end on 73 when he missed the 10th black but he also had efforts of 37, 29, 75 and a 41 clearance all in a 3-0 win.

Paul Smyth took Addinall close losing out 2-1 and Hill managed to subdue Addinall 3-0 which included a 71 break. Tom Miller had an 84, landing awkwardly on the brown from the green when attempting a clearance for a century.

In the quarter-finals Chris Brown was the standout really, making his competitive individual debut and only losing to Pete Crellin 2-1. The latter lost the first frame by potting the black and going in-off before the decider was a black ball game when Brown went in-off it playing safe!

Hill overcame Marek Kenny 2-0. A 94 from Hill sealed the first when he landed badly on the blue, leaving a more difficult pink which he missed for the 100 with a possible 107 clearance. Kenny only went down 71-57 in frame two.

It was good to see Alec Oates and Lee Gale also make their first quarter-finals, but it came to an end for them as they lost to Addinall and Miller respectively both 2-0.

Breaks of 54, 33 and 25 saw Hill comfortably into the final at the expense of Crellin 2-0, but Miller had a much tougher time in his semi against Addinall, a high-quality affair winning 2-1. Frame scores (Miller first): 81 (30, 42 breaks)-51, 48-64 (55) and 79 (48)-29.

In the final Miller, runner-up in events two and three, gained revenge over Hill who had been virtually unplayable all day. In the end, Miller clinched it 2-0 with scores of 69-36 and 68-30, including breaks of 46 and 38. Congratulations to him on a well-deserved victory. In total there were 65 breaks over 20 during the event.

Based on a best three from four events system, eight players are confirmed to compete the new Grand Prix event: Darryl Hill v Marek Kenny, Calum Gardner v Peter Crellin, Jamie Wilson v Pete Kirkham and Tom Miller v Chris Dagnall.

Joining defending champion Hill and reigning island champ John Kennish in the Premier League will be Miller, Wilson, Gardner, Crellin and Kirkham - players will be contacted in due course with further details.

Thanks go to tournament director Jane Hill and all at the Cue Zone who made the event run so smoothly. The final two ranking events take place on March 13 and 27.