The IPA returned to Scotland for the first time in several years for the third instalment of the hugely successful 2025 Tour, with the Normandy Hotel the centre of attention for the 3 days of non-stop, top quality blackball action.
All the usual suspects were in attendance as well as a significant number of ‘single event’ entries, who were desperate to enter these sold out events, eager to test themselves against the best in the business.
The blue riband event as usual was the Professional event and the talk of the town was could current Number One Mark Boyle, hold on to top spot from a resurgent Liam Dunster, who has been the player of the season so far.
The action got underway Friday afternoon, and before we could blink, it was bad news for the legions of Boyle fans, as he was beaten in a final frame thriller by Dave McNamara. He wasn’t the only big name to fall at the first hurdle with former World Champions Gareth Hibbott and Clint I’Anson left to reflect on what might have been, as well as Dan Davy and Dean Shields.
The second round accounted for current World Champion Michael Rhodes, whilst firm favourite Dunster made his place uneventfully to the semi-finals, seeing off opponent after opponent in typical Dunster fashion. He would face Tom Barley whilst the second semi final featured a back to form Cory Rees, up against another rising star from North of the Border – Morgan McInnes.
McInnes scraped through by the odd frame against Rees in a classic, whilst Dunster continued to make light work of everyone in front of him, winning 8-4 to make it an all Scottish final.
The final would not disappoint, but the relentless precision and control from Dunster throughout the match would prove to be too much for McInnes to handle, and he took down the title – his second of the year – by 10 frames to 5.
He would be looking for his third title of the year in the Open event (which features all the Amateurs and Professionals) and it looked to be on the cards, as again he made his way to the final although a rematch with Barley in the quarters was only won in the deciding frame.
His opponent would be his first round opponent from the Pro event – Jake Newlove – a player with bundles of talent and a former World Championship runner up, when he came so agonisingly close to winning the title in 2024.
Newlove had had to battle his way through to the final, with two final frame deciders, and overcoming Boyle and Scott Gillespie in the ‘quarters’ and ‘semis’. He must have felt he had deserved the title already, however he had the daunting figure of Dunster in the opposite corner – could he overcome the charging Scotsman?
Newlove made a fast start and in the race to 7, was within touching distance of the trophy as he went 6-3 ahead. But anyone who knows anything about the resolve and determination of Dunster, would have expected a response – and he didn’t disappoint – forcing a final frame decider. But on this occasion, it was the Englishman who produced a stunning finish to thoroughly earn his first IPA title as a Professional player – I’m sure it wont be the last on this showing.
The Elite ladies were also in town, although current Number One Deb Burchell was a non-starter, but the strength of the field was still testament to the growth of the ladies game.
In form Shona Lucas was one of the pre-tournament favourites alongside current Ladies World Champion Emma Cunningham, but in truth there are several players who could take down the title such is the strength in depth.
But both Lucas and Cunningham had been shown the exit door by the time we reached the semi-finals, which were both England v Scotland, which always adds some extra spice to the matches.
First up we had Ashleigh O’Neill against Tilly Edwards. A superb quality match that went the distance with Edwards pipping her rival to secure her spot in the final. And in the final she would play her partner Kelly Egan, who saw off Jenny Lawson to make it an all-England final.
Egan and Edwards both possess so much talent, but Egan was still waiting for her first Elite title – could this be her time to shine or would the greater experience of Edwards prevail?
It could almost have been scripted that this would go down to the final frame, and finally, in her third year as an Elite Player, Kelly Egan was crowned champion – it could be the first of many.
Lucas made up for the disappointment in the Elite event by taking down the Ladies Open against a gallant Kate Wringe, the current ladies Number one in the Amateur rankings. For Lucas, it was her second IPA title this year in what is developing into a mighty impressive season.
In the Amateur events, David Compton was looking to make it back to back titles – a feat very rarely achieved such is the talent on show in the Amateur ranks – but was denied in the final by Scotland’s Ryan Davie, and in the Ladies, Savanah Lowe eased to the title by defeating Wringe by 7 frames to one.
That brought a superb weekend to a close and a fantastic visit back to Scotland for the IPA.
The Tour takes a short break and returns for the International Championships from the 18-21st September. Before that is the Welsh Grand Prix at the Village Sports Bar – 18th – 20th July.
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