16 May 2022 15:00:00 Posted By Luton

Last Updated: 16 May 2022 18:02:00

New Zealand "B" were crowned AIPL Premier league champions 2021-22 this week, after they won their final game 7-5, away from home, against The Arigators, who finished in 9th place. Two wins each for Jamie Whittaker and Keith Jones helped the newly-crowned champions to their 15th win of the season, to win the league by 16 points, and claim back the title they held between 2016-2017 and 2018-2019.

SP Blacks comfortably claimed runners-up spot too, by some 27 points to the team below them, but were beaten 7-5 on the last day by 6th placed New Zealand 'A', SP Blacks did win 4 of the 8 played frames, but they started four frames down due to only having four players available, which resulted in the defeat.

Shootpool Sharks finished the league comfortably in third place but also fell to a last-day defeat, as two wins for Chris Eley and Richard Meek gave Shootpool 'A' a 7-5 win, to finish in 5th place for the second consecutive season.

The Rothschild Arms ended the season in fourth place with a 7-5 win against venue rival The Roths, who finished bottom with the defeat. David Gray, Graeme Catten and George Langley all won twice on the night for The Rothschild Arms, while Rory Sore won two in response for The Roths.

And finally, SP Bullets moved up to 7th place as they ended the season with an 8-4 away win against The Brickslayers to move above their opponents in the final standings. The Brickslayers led 4-3 thanks to a second for Stephen Page, but SP Bullets won the remaining five frames to claim the win, including second wins on the night for Daniel Englefield and Elliot Riley.

FINAL WEEK RESULTS

The Arigators 5-7 New Zealand "B"

New Zealand 'A' 7-5 SP Blacks

Shootpool 'A' 7-5 Shootpool Sharks

The Rothschild Arms 7-5 The Roths

The Brickslayers 4-8 SP Bullets

MOST WINS

Despite not playing the final league fixture, Mike Chappell of SP Blacks secured Most Wins in the Premier with some spare, with 29 wins and just 5 losses, at a win rate of 85.29%. SP Blacks team mate Adam Jackow finished in second, with 25-10, and they were followed by New Zealand "B" trio Jamie Whittaker (24), Keith Jones (23) and Larry Baker (23). The highest player from outside the top two teams was David Feore of [Shootpool Sharks, who finished 7th on 22 wins.

1) Mike Chappell - SP Blacks (29-5) 85.29%

2) Adam Jackow - SP Blacks (25-10) 71.43%

3) Jamie Whittaker - New Zealand "B" (24-5) 82.76%

4) Keith Jones - New Zealand "B" (23-9) 71.88%

5) Larry Baker - New Zealand "B" (23-9) 71.88%

FINAL PREMIER DIVISION STANDINGS