Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer

FOUR rural teams have advanced to the quarter-finals of the $1.5 million Kingston Beer/Pool Tables & Billiard Supplies Ultimate all-island pool tournament (eight ball), following eliminations at the Palm Court Bar & Grill in Negril last weekend.

Those advancing from a group of 12 were George's Sports Bar from May Pen, Clarendon, Eagle Eyes from St Mary, Big Man Corner from Long Lane, Montego Bay and Kendan Pool and Games from Jarrett Street also in Montego Bay.

George's Gary Manning got the ball rolling when he drubbed Norman Reid 3-0 in the first singles, then Manning teamed up with Carl Hue in the doubles to beat Walter 'Stretch' Robinson and Carl Williams 3-1, before skipper Omega Currie sealed the issue by clipping the highly-regarded Peter Culled 3-2.

In the second match, Big Man Corner also won 3-0, whipping the home team Palm Court.

In the third match on Sunday, Eagle Eyes stopped Upper Level from Mandeville 3-1, with Eagle Eyes' Rhys Chen clipping Fernando Anderson 3-2 in the night's big clash.

In the fourth and final match, Kendan defeated Extreme from Sav-la-mar 3-1. Kendan's George Hemmings stopped Lester Fernandez 3-1, Brian Graham and Roderick Linton beat Rupert Brown and Andel Griffiths 3-1 in the doubles, but Extreme pulled back a game through top player Jody Mullings, who beat Hugh Hutchinson 3-1, before Albert Anderson and George Hemmings sealed the issue for Kendan, beating Mullings and Keston Pennycooke in the doubles.

The competition moves to Kingston this weekend for play in the Corporate Area eliminations at Hot Shots Pool Bar, 103 Constant Spring Road, with 14 teams having advanced. Play starts today at 3p.m. with Sweet Peas vs Auto Craze. The lone female team, Devil's Angels, have been drawn to play Doc Halliday at 1p.m. tomorrow.