Alastair McCrea is the new SMPT English Masters champion after defeating Matt Sifford 11-6 in the final at Chelmsford. He began the long route to the final on Saturday morning with a 9-9 draw against Andrew Hudson before putting together a run of nine successive victories to lift the title in style. On his way he claimed the big scalps of Craig Burgess, who he beat 12-8, and Gary McNabb who he defeated 9-6 in the semi-finals. Matt Sifford began his route to the final with a 12-10 loss in his opening game against Steven Jeffers but then won eight straight games to reach the final. Sifford beat Matty Worden 10-9 in the semi-finals. The Plate competition, for players finishing third and fourth in the group stages, was won by Paul Doherty who beat Richard Arran 11-8 in the final. The Shield competition, for those players finishing fifth and sixth in their groups, was won by Gunnar Frantzen who beat Stephen Proctor 11-10 in the final.
Alastair McCrea is the new English Masters champion
photo courtesy of SMPT