Pool: Cool hand Wharne battles back to claim inaugural Sentinel Cup crown

The Sentinel

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ROB Wharne held his nerve during a tense fourth frame to turn the final on its head and become the first Sentinel Cup eight-ball champion.

The 25-year-old was trailing Daz Henshall 2-1 in the showpiece finale at Players Lounge in Newcastle.

And when Henshall put the black over the pocket, the odds were stacked in his favour to move 3-1 ahead and inch towards claiming the inaugural title.

But Wharne, who had qualified as a lucky loser, kept his cool during a 25-minute battle of tactics to clinch the frame.

The Stafford hot-shot then cleared from the break to take the fifth frame and never looked back … eventually claiming the trophy 6-2.

“At 2-1 it was pretty much the first time I had been behind all day,” said Wharne, a star of the all-conquering Trent Trophies team.

“I was dead and buried in the fourth when he hit the black over the bag. Even when I hit a ball on top of it I didn’t think I could come back.

“But somehow I managed to pull it off and to win the next frame in one visit put me in control. It was a great win for me.

“I’ve been frustrating myself with how I’ve been playing over the past couple of months, so to go on to win the Sentinel Cup when the standard was so high is fantastic.”

The tournament, organised by England captain Lee Kendall in conjunction with The Sentinel and sponsored by Cookies Caterers, attracted the best amateur cuemen from North Staffordshire and South Cheshire.

Four qualifying days, including the lucky loser play-off on Saturday, had thrown up the final 16 to shoot out for the £200 top prize.

Painter and decorator Henshall, who used to play for England, almost completed a fairytale comeback after spending three years out of the sport.

The 42-year-old, from Longton, said: “I’d played for my country and been on the pro tour and I thought I had done everything I wanted to in pool.

“A little break turned into three years without picking up a cue, and it was only earlier this year that I started up again. I was very, very rusty. But I feel like I’m not far away from my best now.

“I’m playing for the county again, and with a little bit of luck things might have been different on Sunday.”

Henshall admitted Wharne was always going to be a dangerous opponent.

He added: “Rob played well. He’s very good among the balls, and when an attacking player like that has the run of the balls then it makes life very difficult.

“The fourth frame was the killer. I could have gone 3-1 up, but instead I was soon 3-2 behind.

“He beat me 7-0 in the Tuesday League a couple of months ago, so it was a lot closer this time around. The final score perhaps flattered him a little, but he’s a good champion.”

Kendall is already committed to running the tournament again in 2012.

He said: “It’s been very good, the format has worked well and I’m sure Rob would agree having qualified for the finals day as a lucky loser.

“We are a strong area for pool and we try to promote the sport as best we can.

“I’ve enjoyed it all and we will be happy to run the cup again next year.”

RESULTS

Last 16: Mark Morris 6, Chris Higgins 1; Rob Holland 1, Rob Edgerton 6; Ryan Cope 2, Rob Wharne 6; Martin Peach 1, Wayne Connor 6; Steve Prince 4, Alex Bailey 6; Dave Jackson 6, Gareth Davies 3; Andy Blurton 5, Darren Henshall 6; Steve Bridgwood 4, Lee Whitfield 6.

Quarter-finals: Morris 6, Edgerton 4; Wharne 6, Connor 2; Bailey 6, Jackson 4; Henshall 6, Whitfield 5.

Semi-finals: Morris 4, Wharne 6; Bailey 5, Henshall 6.

Final: Wharne 6, Henshall 2.