SALISBURY Snooker Club’s John Hunter congratulated Totton Recreation Club’s stalwart Steve Allen for “playing brilliantly” in a win that sealed his first tournament victory on the Cuestars South of England Seniors (40+) Snooker Tour.

Allen, a popular cueman who turns out for his club’s Super League side in the Southampton & District Social Clubs League, had never reached the final in his previous eight outings.

Undefeated in his threeman round-robin group in the fifth leg at Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon, Allen saw off Richard Arnold (Salisbury) and then defending champion Hunter in the lastfour by the same 2-0 scorelines.

And he climbed to eighth place in the rankings after a 2-1 victory in the final that denied Steve Ashton (Salisbury) a first leg win.

Paying tribute to the two Steves, Hunter, 47, said: “It was well deserved as they both played brilliantly.”

The sixth leg of seven is at Salisbury Snooker Club on Sunday, March 16.