Stockman beaten in European Seniors final in Wales

SPERRIN'S Raymond Stockman was just a fraction away from glory when he finished runner-up in the Senior Individuals at the European Pool Championships in Rhyl, Wales, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Oct 2010, 16:51 BST
Updated 11th Oct 2010, 19:04 BST

The Sperrin captain lost 6-5 in the final to England’s Roy Cooper in a nerve-shredding final.

Raymond was finally condemned to defeat when he missed his final red ball along the cush which left Cooper an easy finish of two yellows with the black hanging over the middle.

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“The atmosphere was absolutely fantastic all the way through but I’m devastated at having come so close to being European champion,” said Raymond on his way home from Wales yesterday.

Still the Coleraine man can be immensely proud of his performance at the championships.

He came through some very tough opposition to reach Saturday night’s final which was played around midnight.

Raymond got off to a great start, going 2-0 up but three tactical frames followed and Cooper took them all to lead 3-2.

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With mistakes creeping in, Cooper went into a 5-4 lead but Stockman pulled it back to 5-5 to force a deciding frame.

Raymond was also a member of the Northern Ireland Seniors team who lost 13-12 in the semi-finals against Wales.

Northern Ireland had beaten Scotland 13-12, the Republic of Ireland 19-6 and eventual winners England 18-7 to reach the last four of the five-man event.

Related topics:WalesEngland