Budd retains Fareham & Gosport title

JAMES Budd emerged victorious from an epic seven-hour battle with Colin Norton to retain the Gosport and Fareham Snooker League’s individual scratch singles title.

The 27-year-old fought back from 4-1 down to win 5-4 in the final at Stoke Snooker Club.

He said: “I’m ever so delighted to win this competition again. I did fluke quite a bit in the final but I never gave up.”

In the earlier rounds, the Gosport cueman beat Brad Scarborough 4-0, Andrew Rigby 4-1, Cliff Robbins 4-3 and last year’s runner-up Paul Foster 4-2.

Budd thanked his practice partner and former World Masters champion Dharminder Lilly for his advice, his sponsor Rikki Hatherly – from RH kitchen and bathrooms – and Century Cues for supplying him with snooker products.