Pilky's A team have followed up their success on the pool table, by becoming champions of the Cross Hills and District snooker league.

They have achieved what many would have considered nearly impossible by winning the first division with four minus handicapped players on the team. Chris Melling (-48), Glen Pilkington (-24), M Pilkington (-20) and Darren Vause (-19).

The writing looked to be on the wall for the team as they got off to a disastrous start to the season with only three wins from nine games, but then spirits lifted when Darren Vause took over as captain and steered them through an incredible run of 15 games undefeated and straight to the top of the table. After that they never looked back.

All the players concerned put in some brilliant individual performances throughout the season including Chris Melling's contribution of 18 wins out of 23 games off a staggering handicap of -48.

He will not be eligible to play in the league after turning professional next season.

Another player to note was Paul Burrow who won 16 out of his 20 games and has also become the first player to reach the final of both the scratch and handicapped individual competitions.

And finally captain Darren Vause also enjoyed his own little bit of glory by making a 62 break against ex-world champion Joe Johnson and being one of only two people to beat him earlier this month in an exhibition match held at Pilkys.

The team is (from left): Paul Burrow, Darren Vause, Lee Vause, Glen Pilkinton, Tony Gill, Tim Pearson.