IT took the best team in the competition to halt Northwich A’s progress in the English Pool Association Interleague Finals at Great Yarmouth last weekend.

They exited at the last 16 stage following a 10-4 defeat against Colchester, who went on to beat Mickey Flynn’s in a deciding frame to take the title.

Northwich had recovered from a slow start, losing a one-frame shoot-out in their opener against St Neots A, to proceed from the group-stage following wins against Shrewsbury B (10-9) and Folkestone A (10-3).

They were too good for Maidenhead A (10-3) in the last 64 before squeezing past Clacton A (11-9) when the tournament resumed on Sunday.

However Colchester showed their class to eliminate the reigning Cheshire Interleague champions, runners-up to Trent Trophies A in this competition seven years ago.

Darryl Fallows (Gladstone C) won 10 of his 14 frames for Northwich A, while Steve Moores (Castle D) prevailed in nine of his 13 head-to-heads.

Lewis Webber had the next highest win percentage.

Colchester saw off Norwich A and Peterborough A (both 10-8) to reach the final.

Northwich A: Eric Webber (captain), Darryl Fallows, Nick Hubert, Lewis Webber, Steve Whitlow (all Gladstone C); Fred Backhouse, Leigh Cobley, Rhys Jones, Steve Moores (all Castle D); Ben Johnson (Gladstone A)