Knights heads to finals of Guinness Eight Balls of Fire pool competiton

Martello “Marty” Knights will represent Nani’s Bar in the 2018 finals of the Guinness Eight Balls of Fire, pool competition, which is scheduled for Saturday, March 24.

Knights defeated Omaro “Wizzyman” Pollard in the final game of the second round of the competition, which was held last Saturday, February 3, at Nani’s Bar in Pembroke.

Pollard, who has a knack for making the final game and losing, missed his winning shot and threw down his pool stick, forfeiting the game to Knights.

As a result, Knights was crowned winner, taking home the second round EC$600 prize money and a place in the grand finale, where he will play for EC$6,000 against seven other competitors.

After winning, Knights said that he has been playing pool for over 20 years and he was happy to have won out of a group of 48 registered players on second round night.

“I feel proud to represent the bar in my area, because all the other guys from down here (Pembroke) got knocked out early, so I am proud to represent my neighbourhood,” said Knights.

He said that this is his second time in the finals and he is hoping to win this time around.

“The competition is a good thing. It is good for the game to be spreading around the country,” Knights commented.

The third round of the competition takes place at Auntie Merlene’s Bar in Mesopotamia tonight, Friday, February 9.

The other venues are, Tree House Bar in Arnos Vale (Saturday, February 17), Skyline Bar Bequia (Saturday, February 24). Drop Off in Sans Souci (Friday, March 2), Police Canteen in Kingstown (Friday, March 9) and Azard Bar in Troumaca (Saturday, March 17).

The competition is being coordinated by Brewery’s trade marketer Cleve “Skip” McKenzie.

Rocky Punnett won the competition in 2016 and Alson Barker won in 2015.  Osmond “Ozzie” St Hillaire, last year’s winner, is hoping to do the double, but has so far been unable to secure a grand finale spot.

The other person into the 2018 finals so far is Brian John of Hopewell. He won the first round at the West Side Bar in Rose Place on January 26.