Kevin Mercieca clinched the first open ranking tournament of the season by beating Clint Grima of Top Gun Bar in an excited 8-7 final. Not less than 142 players participated in these first series of ranking tournaments organized by the Malta Pool Association and held at Pandora Hall Zejtun.

With this victory Mercieca secured top spot in the national open rankings list followed by Clint Grima in second place. In the semi-finals Mercieca and Grima had the better of Stephen Mangion and Mario Brincat both of Espadon Bar with the an identical score of 7-6.

Shawn Agius of St. George’s Band Club secured the first victory of the first under 18’s Ranking Tournament. In the final Agius thrashed Malcolm Azzopardi of Espadon by 6-2. Thanks to this victory Agius clinched first place in the category’s ranking list. In the semi finals Agius beat Jesmond Gafa of Espadon Bar 5-2 while Azzopardi outclassed Joseph Casha of Cospicua Dynamos F.C 5-1.

The second series of ranking tournaments will have a start on Monday. During this season the Malta Pool Association will be organizing three series of ranking tournaments and two qualifier tournaments that will guarantee places in the national teams.