Canavan shows his class to claim a 12th CI title

Opponent Aaron Canavan dominated proceedings 5-0 at the North Social Club, finishing with a century break for good measure, in a manner befitting a player who will head to the Crucible next month as top seed for the World Seniors Championships.

Le Sauvage had done so well to reach this stage after being crowned Guernsey champion for the third time overall and first in 24 years. But, especially for the first three frames, he could often do little but sit and watch as the Caesarean worked his magic.

‘I played really well,’ the now 12-time CI champion Canavan said.

‘I’m practising a lot at the moment. Being in the World Seniors and ranked No 1 in that is testament to the amount of practice I have put in.’

Currently managing 35 hours’ weekly practice alongside full-time work, he added: ‘You become extremely match-sharp.’

For all that, it was a slow start, but Canavan was gifted four points when his opponent potted a white and used that to go 26-0 up.

The North Social table has relatively large pockets but Canavan did not seem to need that as he rattled off a 71 break – ending with his own unfortunate foul – to win the opening frame 98-6.

In the second frame, Le Sauvage again received no real chances as his opponent led 80-0 before winning 110-12.

Frame three started off in competitive fashion and the Sarnian even struck up a small lead before his rival regained control, ultimately winning 86-13 topped with a half-century break.

Le Sauvage had his best opportunity yet in the fourth, where he led 30-1 initially, but his opponent punished a costly miss to take the frame 71-39.

Finally, after going behind initially, Canavan displayed brilliant break-building to win the fifth frame 101-19. He looked masterful and made light work of tricky shots in that audience-thrilling 101 break, which ended with a narrow failure to pot the black.

The victor’s lofty statistics included a pot success rate of 91%.

‘Even though I’m overall very pleased with the performance, there are still areas to improve,’ the winner said.

He also praised Le Sauvage after their first meeting in a CI final.

‘It’s testament to Paul to get to the final. You’ve got such quality in depth of players here – winning the Guernsey championship is extremely hard just because of the talent you’ve got.’

Le Sauvage, who quipped that he is lucky to get two hours’ practice a week, had been delighted simply to make the final.

‘I have been in a real purple patch of form,’ added a player who also recently completed the rare Guernsey snooker-billiards title double.

‘You have to take your hat off to Aaron. He just played so well.

‘When you play someone like that, you have to be on your absolute A game. I was not on that tonight.

‘It’s a pleasure to watch it. It’s not so nice when you’re on the receiving end and sat on your chair waiting for him to miss.’

Having gone beyond his wildest dreams in qualifying, he added: ‘To have another opportunity like this is just an absolute pleasure.’