In the second of the
White had the better of the exchanges in the first two games at six and five and moved to a 2-0 lead. But Griffith clawed his way back into contention by winning the next two games at four and three utilising all of his skills at the front of the court to full effect as White lost concentration.
At two-all the smart money would have been on Griffith, whose ability to recover seemingly lost causes and to win in five games is legendary. But to his great credit White managed to regroup and return to the attacking style that had been so successful for him in the first two games.
His relentless attacking play quickly established leads of 5-0 and then 7-2. There was then a succession of hand outs as Griffith tried to keep each rally going for as long as possible in the hope that his opponent would succumb either mentally or physically.
But with the finishing line so close, White was not to be denied. As he hit his final shot for a clean winner, he let out a loud shout of triumph as he won 9-6, 9-5, 4-9, 3-9, 9-3 in six minutes short of an hour, the longest match in the tournament thus far.
Of the other matches played the most exciting was the
Results of matches played on Thursday:
* Round robin: Mark Gilkes beat James Punnett 9-4, 9-1 9-5
* Semi-final: Mark Sealy bt. Leon Truss 9-3, 9-1, 9-0
* Semi-final: Marlon White bt. Nigel Griffith 9-6, 9-5, 4-9, 3-9, 9-3
* Semi-final: Mickey Armstrong bt. Dean Straker 9-7 6-9, 9-4, 9-7
* Semi-final: Craig Archer bt. Andrew Nunes 9-7, 9-6, 9-2
* Plate round robin: John Freer bt. Peter Raymer 9-6, 3-9, 9-0, 9-4
* Semi-final: Orson Simpson bt. Barry Gale 4-9, 9-4. 9-4, 2-9, 9-3
* Semi-final: Cliff Nolan beat David Spink 9-2, 9-2, 9-1,
* Plate 1st round: "Rory" Mackenzie bt. Chester Haynes 2-9, 9-7, 9-4, 9-7. (PR)