Tabone, Muscat claim first titles

Chris Tabone won the second ranking event organised by the Malta Pool Association this season. In the final, Tabone had the better of Philip Ciantar 8-5.

A total of 134 players took part in the competition at the Pandora Hall, Żejtun. Tabone's success, his first in a ranking tournament, has earned him a spot in the Malta team for the European and World Championships next year.

In the semi-finals, Tabone, who plays for JoJo's Bar, defeated Brian Grech, of Espadon Bar, 7-2 while Ciantar, who represents 147 Snooker Hall, beat Miguel Falzon, of Top Gun Bar, 7-6.

In the U-18 category, 12-year-old Scott Muscat, of Downtown Bar, landed his first ranking title after he upset tournament favourite Lyden Debono, of San Ġwann BC, 6-4.

Muscat booked his place in the final after beating Lothar Mallia, of Beland BC, 5-1, while Debono eased past Wayne Farrugia, of St Vincent de Paule, 5-2.