Maximum man Bunyard

A TOP amateur snooker player from Aldershot insisted “relief was the overriding emotion” after achieving a first maximum break.

Paul Bunyard knocked in the 147 against James Cullen in the final frame of a practice match at Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon, south London.

The 39-year-old revealed he had been waiting for this moment for more than 20 years.

He recorded a 146 as a teenage and assumed he would soon pass the next milestone.

“It’s certainly been a long time coming,” he said. “I made my 146 back when I was quite young and kind of thought a 147 would happen naturally.

“Obviously it’s not quite as simple as that and the fact it’s been this long and I gave the game up for a while almost makes it more pleasing.”

Bunyard, who competes on the Cuestars Championship Tour, had good control of the cue-ball for most of the break but was left a tricky red into the green pocket after splitting the bunch.

Then the key shot was black to yellow.

Taking up the story, Bunyard said: “I managed to fall perfect so was just a case of holding it together and clearing the colours.

“I was obviously delighted to see the final black go in and then I would say relief was the overriding emotion.”

Cullen was delighted for his practice partner.

“It’s a feat that has always easily been well within his ability,” he said.

Picture by Tim Dunkley

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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)