Local cue sports star 'Granite' Gray is almost 50, but still hard to beat!

Mark Gray (right) with Bash Maqsood before their final at the Court.

Prolific local cue sports winner Mark Gray successfully defended his Champions Trophy snooker title at the Court Club.

Gray defeated Nottingham's Bash Maqsood 2-0 in the final to pocket the £350 first prize and extend his lead at the top of the Legends Tour rankings.

Gray, the Bourne Snooker Centre professional, had survived a final frame decider in his opening knock-out group match against Jason Bates, also from Bourne, when he compiled breaks of 53, 69 and 80. Bates enjoyed a 55 break in the deciding frame.

Gray also beat Stratford's Stuart Watson 2-0, before gaining revenge over Russell Huxter, the only man to ever triumph over Gray on tour, in the last four 3-0.

A high quality field saw a record 13 breaks recorded over 50, with Watson scoring the highest with his effort of 83. Peterborough's Sam Boome made the semi-finals, losing out to Maqsood in a decider 3-2, while Norwich star Luke Pinches, who was the youngest player in the draw at the age of 21, lost on the final black to Huxter in the group stages despite scoring breaks of 78 and 58 in what was the match of the tournament.

The tour returns in September, when four more events will conclude the year.

Gray turns 50 this year, but is showing no signs of slowing down.

The 9-ball pool specialist is trying to make an impact on the lucrative Ultimate 8-ball Pool Tour which is screened live on satellite television and for practice he has joined an over 40s tour.

He finished runner-up in his first event in Wellingborough losing 6-1 to former world champion, and eventual tournament winner, Phil Harrison in the semi-final.

Gray played well though and recorded wins of 5-0, 5-0, 6-1 and 6-0 to get through a field of 64 to the last four.

Gray won £175 and Harrison collected £700.

Gray is back on the Untimate Pool trail this weekend.