WORKINGTON’S Kevin Basnett and Whitehaven’s Robert Sim successfully defended their Cumbria County Doubles Snooker Championship claiming a an impressive 10th title in 15 years.
The reigning champions beat Workington pair Paul Graham and Steve Garroway in an entertaining final of stunning snooker and big breaks at the Portland Club Carlisle.
The challengers took the first frame but the holders hit back when Basnett got in among the balls to construct a well thought out break of 81 to level the match. Frame three was his partner's chance to shine and he produced a wonderful break of 112 break - only missing the green with a possible 137 on.
The champions were now up and running and in frame four a great safety shot by Sim yielded an opportunity for Basnett who set about constructing another frame winning break of 94.
Frame five proved to be a tame affair in comparison but the big game experience - with Graham and Garroway again denied any table time - and it was a routine break of 42 break from Sim that ultimately paved the way to a compelling 4-1 match win and 10th title.
Earlier, Basnett and Sim had been given a real scare on the route to the final. Having progressed in to the last four thanks to a comfortable 4-0 win over Seaton’s Mark Tatton and Paul Mostyn, they were pushed all they way by two-time winners, brothers Peter and Stephen O’Hagan from Workington.
Basnett and Sim had been leading 3-2 but a superb break of 67 from Stephen O'Hagan forced a deciding frame.
In the decider,the first chance fell to Peter O’Hagan, but a missed red while in the balls handed the momentum to the reigning champions, who seized the advantage, building a 50 point lead, which ultimately proved enough to take the match 4-3.
Graham and Garroway were also pushed all the way in their quest to reach the final, narrowly beating Mark Tunstall and Shaun Ayre 4-3 in their semi final.
The plate final saw Andrew Mitchelhill and Karl Newton beat Whitehaven pair Dave Todd and Gavin Simpson 3-1. 
Organisers thanked Ron and Mary Wilson of the Portland Club, Carlisle for providing an excellent venue.
Results
Preliminary round: Vince Peet & John Thwaites 4-0 Mike Little & Ben Challenger, Shaun Ayre & Mark Tunstall 4-0 Stuart Ryan & Ryan Warwick, Andrew Mitchelhill & Karl Newton 2-4 Paul Graham & Steve Garroway, Dave Todd & Gavin Simpson 3-4 Ryan Ismay & Ryan Barker,
Quarter finals: Vince Peet & John Thwaites 3-4 Shaun Ayre & Mark Tunstall, Paul Graham & Steve Garroway 4-1 Ryan Ismay & Ryan Barker, Mike Walker & Tom Thompson 2-4 Peter O’Hagan & Stephen O’Hagan, Robert Sim & Kevin Basnett 4-0 Mark Tatton & Paul Mostyn,
Semi finals: Paul Graham & Steve Garroway 4-3 Mark Tunstall & Shaun Ayre, Kevin Basnett & Rob Sim 4-3 Stephen O’Hagan & Peter O’Hagan,
Final: Kevin Basnett & Rob Sim 4-1 Paul Graham & Steve Garroway
Plate final: Andrew Mitchelhill & Karl Newton 3-1 Dave Todd & Gavin Simpson