Mifsud Equals Australian National Record

Steve Mifsud claimed his eighth Australian National Snooker Championship, drawing himself level with all-time record holder Max Williams, who enjoyed an octet of title successes between 1961 to 1972.

Held at the RACV Club in Melbourne, Mifsud began the event with defeats of David Collins, Robin Beggs and Ben Foster before sweeping aside recent professional player Matthew Bolton 5-0 in the semi-finals.

Mifsud’s opponent in the title match was maiden finalist Charlie Chafe. After deciding frame wins over Johl Younger and Aaron Mahoney in the last 16 and quarter-finals respectively, Chafe ended the reign of defending champion Adrian Ridley in last four.

In what would be an entertaining final, Mifsud opened up a 3-1 advantage before Chafe took four frames in a row to move one away from glory. However, Mifsud shifted momentum, claiming the final three frames to record a 6-5 win.

Former Oceania and world amateur champion Mifsud – who has also had spells on the professional circuit – won his first national championship in 2001, and his seventh in 2013.

Article written and published by Michael Day on the 20th August 2018