Stuart Rutter won the third ever Thursday Night Merit after a classy display in the final to beat Josh Cotton 5. From 7-3 up he went 16-3 ahead on his favoured corner mark, before not allowing Josh to gain any momentum and winning 5. He had used that mark to great effect in the Semi Finals running out from 12-11 up on Sir John Bayley team mate Pete Grimston. Josh had given his own dominant display in his Semi against Carleen Doody-Millington, going 11-2 up and winning 6.
In the Quarter Finals, Stuart had his closest game only getting past Stuart Church 18, although he had been 18-9 up. Pete defeated Michael Cooper 11 from 9 across, Josh from 5-4 up on Jon Lea won 7 and Carleen Doody-Millington held off a comeback from Jackie Rutter from 19-9 down to win 16.
Well done to Stuart on his win, and he is our first qualifier in our Champion of Champions event on 3rd October.
Thank you to St Georges for hosting tonight.
