Mcnulty claims victory in the WASPA Perth International Open Winter Classic

4 Players formed a 3 match league format with the top 2 players advancing into a final. Ross Mcnulty, John Harty, Chris Thorn and Ron Byrne made up the quartet for an all Subbuteo Perth lineup. Mcnulty clashed with John Harty in the opener and after a closer game then the score suggested he edged it 3-0 against his Arsenal loving Subbuteo Perth team mate who had put this tournament on at such a quality venue in Fremantle Town Hall. In The other game Chris Thorne carried on his excellent defensive form to secure a 2-0 victory over Ron Byrne with 2 fine finishes, Rocket Ron as we call him has some power in an unorthodox style of flicking with his middle index finger, beware though as his shooting is outrageously good at times and is one potent weapon. Thorn as per usual competes so well and is thoroughly embracing playing so many games as he once played the Subbuteo creator Peter Adolf as a young teenager in 1950's London, his love for the game is as infectious as ever and we have so much respect for the Southampton lad and host of so many WASPA comps up in Morangup over the years along with his fabulous wife Barbara up at the clubhouse.

Mcnulty had an excellent win as he claimed a 5-0 against the likable Evertonian (Rocket)Ron Byrne and on the other table Chris Thorn and John Harty(the two pioneers of Subbuteo Perth) played out a 1-1 draw in a close encounter of the Fremantle kind. In the final group games Mcnulty beat Thorn 2-0 with another solid display defensively as he sought to keep his fine WASPA form record continuing and Ron Byrne took on John Harty in the final game losing 2-0 to the big friendly Copper who along with Bev Bone, his partner and fellow tournament director pulled off such a major cue, in securing such a class theatre in which to play Subbuteo in. So it came down to who made 2nd as Chris Thorn and Johny Harty had the same points but ultimately it came down to the results against Ross Mcnulty for both players and the inevitable 1 goal difference it was as Thorn joined Mcnulty in the final. Mcnulty started brightly and went 1 up after 2mins and by half time he had doubled the lead with a well crafted move and finish, Thorn rallied in the 2nd half but just could not fashion the chances he craved and midway through Mcnulty pressure led too a 3rd goal and possibly the killer goal to stop a possible comeback, in the final moments a corner led to a 4th and completed another WASPA win for Mcnulty in a tournament running alongside a major FISTF event to secure another memorable outing in the lovely port of picturesque Fremantle. Thanks again everybody who attended the Subbuteo Saturday double header and to the likes of Hugh Best and Alan Kimber who had qualified in their groups in the FISTF tournament hence the fact they were not eligible so they ended up refereeing and acting as cameramen when possible.

P W D L F A Pts
1/Ross Mcnulty 3 3 0 0 10 0 9
2/Chris Thorn 3 1 1 1 3 3 4
3/John Harty 3 1 1 1 3 4 4
4/Ron Byrne 3 0 0 3 0 9 0

Final
Ross Mcnulty 4
Chris Thorn 0

(Report by Ross Mcnulty)