Jason Twist makes history as he retains IPA World Seniors title

They beat Samantha Hurst 6-5 and Terri Lapsley 6-2 respectively to earn their place in what seems sure to be a tense and close fought final that will be livestreamed to the watching thousands.

Dumortier and Lambert await Doubles final opponents

The Doubles have been even more nail-biting than normal this year with the continuation of a black ball shootout in every match that gets to “hill hill” – or 6-6 to the rest of us.

In a nutshell, it’s the equivalent of penalties in football, with each pairing getting five attempts at potting the black off it’s spot from anywhere behind the line (which they make look pretty easy to be fair). If it is still level, then the white has to be played from the centre of the baulk line – making the shot that much more difficult.

Today the competition was so tight that we had plenty going to the wire with Jason Twist and Arfan Dad going out to Gareth Hibbott and Dean Shields, Jimmy Croxton and Steve Wall losing to Josh Durant and Max Nosko, while Tom Ford and Connor Jones suffered the same fate at the hands of Christophe Lambert and Roger Dumortier – edge of the seat stuff.

When the dust finally settled, we were left with three pairings (Durant and Nosko v Hibbott and Shields – winner to play Dumortier and Lambert in the Sunday final at 16:30 GMT or thereabouts), and even more to look forward to.

McCarthy meets Hibbott in IPA final

As for the main event, the one that leads to the crowning of a new World Champion on Sunday evening, we have got as far as the last four and, although some of the better fancied players did drop away over the tournament, there isn’t an unknown name among them.

Irish legend Ronan McCarthy will take on Gareth Hibbott (2/1 tournament chance) in a match you would happily pay to see, while Clint I’Anson and Craig Marsh will start us off at 09:30 in a game equally worth watching if a bit difficult to call.

All in all, it’s been another good day, no complaints (well, not to our faces), and a smooth transition to the final day – hope to see you there!

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