British Lions Tour of Australia 2013

2013 International Singles Winner
Giuseppe D’Imperio (England

2013 INTERNATIONAL SINGLES – PERTH, AUSTRALIA

Following the successful Test series between the British Lions and the Australian Test squads, an intriguing individual event unfolded—the International Singles competition. Nine Australian test squad members and seven British Lions players took the stage, showcasing their skills in a thrilling contest.

Notably, Matt Brannan, leading the Test series averages with 12 frames won out of 15, faced a dramatic exit in the last 16 stage, succumbing to Dane Beeton in the deciding frame. Meanwhile, Gavin Lomax secured a 5-2 victory over top Australian star John Wheeler, advancing to the quarterfinals.

Renowned for their world-class abilities, the Australian squad, including Justin Sajich, demonstrated their prowess. Sajich’s victory over Ben Flack set the stage for a semifinal clash against Gavin Lomax, a key player for the Lions. Simultaneously, Giuseppe D’Imperio triumphed over Dane Beeton, earning a spot in the semifinals against former World Championship semi-finalist Ben Nunan.

In an intense showdown featuring four of the world’s best players, Gavin Lomax and Giuseppe D’Imperio showcased top form, setting the stage for an all-Lions final. Ultimately, Giuseppe emerged victorious in the deciding frame, capping off a spectacular week of world-class competition. The British Lions expressed gratitude to the Australian players, emphasizing that there were no losers in this brilliant showcase of Eightball pool excellence.

Friday 18th October – 5th Test

British Lions clinched the Test series victory after an intensely contested final match. Gavin Lomax’s prowess, securing a break and dish in the first two sets, gave the Lions an 8-6 lead. Despite Australia’s resilient comeback, the Lions looked poised for victory at 10-9 until Wayne Smith’s stunning eightball sealed the series.

Captain Matt Brannan led with 12 wins from 15 frames, with Lomax close behind with 11. A remarkable win for the Lions, acknowledging the Aussies’ impressive performance in a thrilling test series.

Thursday 17th October – 4th Test

KANGAROOS  MAUL  LIONS

In a surprising turn, the British Lions faced a formidable challenge from the Kangaroos in Perth. The 1st set favored Australia 4-3, but the Lions rallied in the 2nd, leveling the match at 7 frames each. The 3rd set saw a fierce competition, with Brannan and Lomax contributing for the Lions, bringing the score to 9 frames each. However, the Aussies secured the final 3 frames, winning 12-9 and tying the series at 2 tests each. The 5th test promises an exciting conclusion, with both teams vying for victory in this unexpected showdown.

Wednesday 16th October – 3rd Test

LIONS COME ROARING BACK

In the third test of the five-match series, the British Lions seized an early lead in the first set, triumphing 4-3 with notable performances from Brannan, Flack, Dixon, and Smith. The Lions continued their dominance in the second set, winning six of seven frames to establish a commanding 10-4 lead. Despite a brief Aussie resurgence, Lomax’s decisive break secured the Lions’ victory in the third set, concluding with a solid 13-8 winning margin.

Tuesday 15th October – 2nd Test

KANGAROO’S STRIKE BACK

After a narrow loss in the first test, the home team turned the tide, securing a final-frame victory in the second test to level the series. The Lions initially led in the first set, but Australia rallied to take it 4-3. The second set was tightly contested, with the Lions leading 6-5. The third set saw a 7-7 deadlock, culminating in a final-frame thriller won by the Aussies, clinching test two 11-10. The series stands balanced ahead of the third test.

Monday 14th October – 1st Test

LIONS TAKE FIRST BLOOD” –  BUT ONLY JUST

The British Lions secured an impressive 11-10 victory in the first test against Australia, with the outcome hanging on a final-frame decider. After a back-and-forth 1st set, Australia led 4-3. The Aussies extended their advantage to 8-6 by the 2nd set’s end. The Lions, led by Captain Brannan and Lomax, mounted a comeback, leveling at 10-10. In a decisive final frame, Wayne Smith’s skillful play clinched the win, showcasing a resilient team performance by the Lions.

Saturday 12th October – Warm Up Match

In a warm-up game, the British Pool Lions triumphed 20-8 against a formidable Western Australia team in Perth. Temujin Dixon, named player of the match, secured all 4 frames, with Giuseppe D’Imperio, Ben Flack, Gavin Lomax, and captain Matt Brannan each winning 3 frames. Wayne Smith and Darrell Bareham contributed 2 frames each. The hospitality and sportsmanship in Perth set the stage for a fabulous test series.

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Brief

The British Lions Pool Squad departs for Perth, Western Australia, on October 9th, engaging in a 5-test series against the home nation and returning on October 22nd. Gavin Lomax, the sole veteran from the 2011 journey down under, recalls a narrow victory in the inaugural Lions-Aussies play-off. After a resounding win in South Africa in 2012, the Lions face Australia’s formidable squad on their home turf. The series coincides with the Australian National Finals, commencing on October 14th, at the venue where WEPF originated 21 years ago. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the AEPF National Finals.

Team

The British Lions Pool Squad departs for Perth, Western Australia, on October 9th, engaging in a 5-test series against the home nation and returning on October 22nd. Gavin Lomax, the sole veteran from the 2011 journey down under, recalls a narrow victory in the inaugural Lions-Aussies play-off. After a resounding win in South Africa in 2012, the Lions face Australia’s formidable squad on their home turf. The series coincides with the Australian National Finals, commencing on October 14th, at the venue where WEPF originated 21 years ago. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the AEPF National Finals.

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The Lions will play five test matches against Australia at their National finals, not an easy task but with the strong squad we are sending,  hopefully we will see Matt and Steve hoisting the trophy when the series is complete.