Semi-Finals
Alan Norris averaged 100.2 as he took the first set 3-0 off Jan Dekker,
who despite the scoreline had also started the pairs semi-final clash
well. The Dutchman then took the bull by the horns in the second set,
racing into a 2-0 lead only to be pegged back to 2-2, before eventually
taking it 3-2 to level the match up.
The next two sets were also traded, before Dekker produced his best
spell of the match so far to move into a 4-2 lead. This time it was
Norris’ turn to fight back and he did, taking the seventh set 3-0 before
producing two 100+ checkout during the eighth to square the match
up.
Dekker took a 2-1 lead in the ninth set but was again pegged back by
Norris who took the final two legs of the set to move in front once more
at 5-4, before Dekker produced three solid holds of throw to take the
tenth set 3-2 and force a decider.
Norris had the better of the early stages in the decider, taking the
opening leg on throw and leaving 20 in the second leg, but with the
man from Yeovil poised to land a crucial break of throw Dekker landed
what was in truth a match saving 158 checkout to level things up. The
next two legs were also shared, and with the scores level at 2-2 in the
final set the X]