POOLMANIA FIVE: GET THE CARLING IN, LADS


James Carling is the new Poolmania champion after arguably the exciting tournament so far.

In a thrilling end to the fifth tournament, Carling defeated David Weller 3-0 in the final to take home his first Poolmania title and became only the second person to do so.

Four-time Poolmania champ Greg Davies lost to the eventual winner in the semi final, after a flawless display in Group Two by not dropping a frame. He finished fourth after losing to Dale Thomas in the third-place playoff, who impressed by claiming top spot in Group One.

It was the first time debutants Carling and Weller had reached the final - for Weller, the first time he had reached the knockout phase on his third attempt.

"Someone had to do it - they've all been saying you needed to be beaten" exclaimed Carling to former champ Davies in his slightly-slurred victory speech. Carling improved on his debut performance in the last Poolmania where he finished third to take home the approximate £23.50 prize.

Davies, one of the top seeds, was upbeat despite failing to make the Poolmania final for the first time - comparing himself to another athlete who has recently suffered a 'blip'. "I'm going to be back. This is just a blip like Roger Federer went through. On one hand I am disappointed to lose, but on the other I'm silently relieved that someone out there is good enough to take the crown."

It was a bad night for the top seeds overall as Joe Newbury failed to make the knockout phase, but he did have some consolation by winning the Plate competition by defeating Mitchell Gadd in the final. It was also disappointing for Mark, who after reaching the semi finals in the last tournament, could only muster a single win at the group stage. 

The Poolmania history books were rewritten not just once, but twice, as the tournament observed its first and second seven-ball frame wins. Davies pulled one over Tom Payne, whilst the new champ Carling grabbed one over Gadd, both in the group stage.