Allie is South African Snooker Champion

Mutalieb Allie defeated Tauriq Samsodien in the final to win the 2018 South African National Snooker Championship. Following four final defeats in the past, it is the first time that the 44-year-old has claimed the title.

Organised by the South African Confederation of Cue Sport (SACCS), this year’s main event ran across six days at the Hellenic Hall in Port Elizabeth. The championships were sponsored by the Spar Supermarket Group.

A total of 58 players took part, initially spilt into eight groups with the top four from each qualifying for the last 32 knockouts.

Cape Town cueist Allie finished the round robin stage as the number one seed after coming top of Group B having won all six of his matches 3-0.

In the single elimination phase, he defeated Luther Killian 5-1, Mark McGelliwie 5-3, Rafique Limbada 5-3 and Ricky Tregonning 6-2 to reach the final where he saw off number two seed and clubmate Samsodien 7-3.

Allie joins a roll of honour that stretches back to 1937.

A few days later at the same venue, Samsodien also reached the final of the national 6 reds championship but was denied by Charl Jonck, 5-1.

Article written and published by Michael Day on the 26th June 2018.