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Pool: Julian McGrail wins Gibraltar Pool Open

The quarter-finals provided some entertaining action with two matches going to a deciding black on the last frame. Jimmy Bruzon twice led Francis Becerra 1-0 and 2-1 only to lose it in a last gasp finish and on the deciding frame. It was a hard fought match where Francis Becerra never gave up and in the end managed to overcome a determined opponent. The other match in the top half proved a one sided affair with an inspired Neil Wilson beating Gary Chant 3-0.

Francis Becerra played Neil Wilson for a place in this year's final. In the bottom half of the draw all eyes were on the Julian McGrail's vs Jonathan Collado's match. Julian edged 1-0 in front before Jonathan tied the match 1-1, the following frames were very close but Julian's experience paid off and he went on to win 3-1. In the other quarter-final, surprise package, Henry Gerada was up against Ty Olivero. Henry was clear favourite when he was leading 2-0. Ty Olivero clawed his way back in contention and levelled the match 2-2, in the end he managed to hold his nerve to win it on the deciding black, in what was another close and hard fought match. This meant that Ty Olivero would play 2003 Champion Julian McGrail for a place in the final.

Quarter-Final results:

Francis Becerra 3 Jimmy Bruzon 2
Neil Wilson 3 Gary Chant 0
Ty Olivero 3 Henry Gerada 2
Julian McGrail 3 Jonathan Collado 1

The Semi-Finals were played at the EFSA Fishing Club on Tuesday 13th:

Francis Becerra 3 vs Neil Wilson 2
Julian McGrail 3 vs Ty Olivero 1

The pool championship Final between Julian McGrail and Francis Becerra will be held in September. It will not be the first time these two have met in finals before, and the game promises to be highly contested. Both McGrail and Becerra play in the same team in the Snooker Singles league. The young talent McGrail has also found his way, is also into the doubles final, also to be played in September. His partner? Eleven year old Jesse Ignacio, who represented Gibraltar at the U-21 World Masters 8 Ball Pool Championships recently held in Bridlington. The two will square up against opponents Guy Olivero and Jonathan Victory.

After reaching the final in the Gib Singles Open, Julian McGrail went on the following day to win the Ranking Tournament after beating: Sean Gallaghan 4-2; John Neil 4-0; Kevin Dalli (currently ranked No1); and Johnathan Collado 4-3.

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