Ellie Puls and Bryce Blaszkow have been crowned the 2026 Albany Eight Ball Association open mixed doubles champions after a thrilling grand final at the Stirling Club on Saturday.

The tournament on October 3 attracted 14 pairs, with 28 players taking to the tables in what proved to be the association’s biggest mixed doubles event to date.

The showdown featured Puls and Blaszkow against Roger and Fran Tee and it went right down to the wire.

With the match locked at 3–3 after six frames, everything came down to a deciding seventh frame.

Puls and Blaszkow held their nerve under pressure to secure the victory and take home the 2026 title.

The afternoon produced plenty of quality eight ball, with some impressive shotmaking, close matches and plenty of the usual laughs and competitive moments that make tournament days such an enjoyable part of the calendar.

The tournament also highlighted the growing depth of Albany’s eight-ball community, with younger players coming through the ranks and showing they are more than capable of taking on seasoned competitors.

Their performances are an encouraging sign for the future of the sport, with the next generation beginning to make their mark around the tables.

Tournament director Ken Skinner kept the competition running smoothly throughout the afternoon, ensuring the games continued to move along and the event stayed on track.

A special thankyou also goes to an anonymous donor who generously contributed an additional $100 towards the prize money.

The association’s next tournament will be the Wayne McGlade Memorial Singles, to be held at the Stirling Club on Saturday, November 14, from 1pm.

The tournament is open to the public with anyone welcome to enter and have a go — there is no need to be an association member or an experienced tournament player to take part.