Shaun Croxford pockets his first big success

The 47-year-old finished top of the Sunday Night Individual Snooker League at Waterlooville Sports Bar.

Croxford, a carer at Sunshine Day Centre near the club, said: '˜The money will be really handy with Christmas around the corner.

'˜And I'm sure I'll be investing some of it back at the sports bar.'

Reflecting on the 34-week competition, the Waterlooville-based cueman added: '˜I've really enjoyed meeting the other guys in the league.

'˜They are all different standards but it was very competitive and with a couple of weeks to go any one of about six players could have won.

'˜I've been playing snooker for about 30 years at a fair standard but never won an individual tournament before.'

Runner-up Harry Wilson, 12, collected £500.

Third-placed Sam Tindall picked up £300 and Mark Pulford, in fourth, pocketed £250.

Players outside of the top four competed in an end-of-season knockout.

Anthony Davey collected £200 as he beat Dale Martin, who picked up £100, in the final.

Losing semi-finalists Richie Burnett and James Williamson received £50 each.

A new handicapped league will start in a few weeks. Interested players should register their names at the club.

Meanwhile, Zak Truscott lost to Billy Reid but still extended his lead at the top of the Monday Junior Snooker League to 12 points.

Samuel Laxton recorded the highest break of 34 and is just one point from being back where he belongs, in the top flight.

Owen Jenkins, age 10, contributed a 33.

In the Wednesday Junior Snooker League, Thomas Sharp defeated defending champion Laxton.

This allowed England international Jamie Wilson to take over top spot by one point with three weeks remaining.

George Laxton was undefeated in the second group and moved up into division two.

Ryan Kneller maintained his two-frame advantage over Aaron Wilson at the top of division three.

Defending Junior Pool League champion Jayden Brookes took maximum points on the head-to-head rule after finishing this week's session level with Rhys Pearce on six victories each.

Despite losing to George Barber, Callum Olivares closed the gap to division two front-runner Jayden Hickley to seven points.

World Snooker coach Tim Dunkley runs snooker sessions for under-19s from 4.30pm to 6.30pm every Monday and Wednesday and junior pool sessions from 4.30pm to 6.30pm every Thursday.