Silver service? (From This is Hampshire)

Silver service?

9:57pm Saturday 21st July 2012 in Blogs By Tim Dunkley

SCOURING pads are banned from the Winchester home of Southampton billiards champion John Mullane.

The former England international defeated his Chandlers Ford Central Club team captain Terry Azor 499-446 at Cue T’s Snooker Lounge, Marchwood, to claim The Gordon Lewis Cup for the third time in four years.

But cleaning the trophy is a great big no no.

On two occasions in recent years, the Southampton & District Billiards & Snooker Association has been forced to send the cup, named in memory of the former Hamble and Aerostructures three-ball aficionado, to London for re-silver plating.

“Four years ago, Danny Zagaroli cleaned it,” explained Mullane. “It’s a very sensitive trophy and he must have damaged the silver so they had to pay to have it re-done.

“Then I cleaned it and the same thing happened!”

The 40-year-old had polished off the ageless Azor in a thrilling two-hour match in which both finalists compiled century breaks.

Azor crafted a 106 either side of the mid-session interval. Defending champion Mullane replied with a 112.

In the last-four, Mullane defeated three-time champion Paul Adams (Churchills) while Azor saw off first-time semi-finalist Steve Allen (Totton Rec).