Mark Allen put behind him the disappointment of failing to win the Riga Open earlier this month by capturing the Paul Hunter Classic title with a 4-2 victory over Judd Trump on Sunday.
The Northern Irishman had led Mark Selby 3-0 in Latvia’s final only to be narrowly pipped to the crown in a decider but avoided finishing runner-up for a second successive time by collecting his fourth European Tour trophy – and third in the last year.
Allen took an entertaining opening frame of the contest that seemed to go one way and then the other before eventually sinking a re-spotted black to go 1-0 ahead.
Trump responded brilliantly and was just denied a century as a 92 break brought the scores level and the encounter was being set up for a thrilling conclusion.
The quality of the frames became scrappier, though, as the match progressed and Allen was able to take advantage as Trump struggled to maintain his rhythm.
The next two frames were shared before 28 year-old Allen, who has appeared to become more settled as a player and person since he got married in May 2013, won a tight fifth frame and went on to seal victory with an 88 in the next.
It concluded what was a taxing day for Allen, having already been taken the distance in his previous two clashes with Alan McManus and Rod Lawler.
Australian Open champion Trump had enjoyed recording fine defeats of Stephen Maguire and world champion Selby, before a 4-1 triumph over Ricky Walden earned him his final berth.
As ever, the Paul Hunter Classic was superbly supported throughout the weekend as a large enthusiastic crowd watched the final day’s action unfold.
The tournament is widely considered the best of the satellite minor ranking events and Allen summed it up nicely when he said afterwards that “everything about the tournament reflects well on the name of Paul Hunter and the players feel proud to be a part of it.”
