A TEAM from Salisbury has won the UK's longest-running amateur pool weekend competition.

The Victoria Gobblers have "put Salisbury back on the pool map" after taking home the top prize at this year's BAPTO Nationals, held at Norbrek Castle Hotel in Blackpool from November 9 to 12.

Representing the Victoria Hotel and Pub, in Mill Road, captain Martin Gurd's team battled amongst 128 others, comprising 738 players across all sides, and left victorious.

Adam Guyatt finished top of the individual standings, winning 18/21 frames throughout the tournament.

The team, consisting of Adam Guyatt, Eddie Sanderson, Martin Gurd, Josh Sanderson and Joey Gunn, played through two tough groups on the Friday and Saturday afternoon sessions before qualifying for the main event KO on Sunday, making it into the last 32.

Salisbury Journal: Martin Gurd, Eddie Sanderson, Joey Gunn, Adam Guyatt and Josh Sanderson.Martin Gurd, Eddie Sanderson, Joey Gunn, Adam Guyatt and Josh Sanderson. (Image: Martin Gurd)

Mr Gurd said: "We had a strong start to the KO, winning our last 32 match 6-4 playing on the streaming table being watched by friends and family back in Salisbury."

After losing 5-3 in the quarter-finals, the team had their backs up against the wall. Mr Gurd added: "One mistake and we were out and going home.

"Two great frames from Eddie and Joey took us to 5-5 and a penalty blackball shootout. Our bottle as a team came through winning the shootout 4-3, sending us into the semi-finals."

Coming into the semis on top form, the Gobblers beat the opposition 6-1 with Josh, Martin and Adam dishing the first three frames within the first 20 minutes of the match.

Salisbury Journal: The team brought home the trophy.The team brought home the trophy. (Image: Martin Gurd)

Maintaining a mindset of "enjoy the experience and relax" in the final, the team started with a 4-0 lead. The opposition came back strong to bring the score to 4-3 before Adam clinched a nervy 8th frame making the score 5-3.

"Eddie, our local 8-ball legend who has been taking part in this event for decades, showed his class pulling off a tremendous dish under pressure, narrowly missing the black leaving it in the corner pocket," said Mr Gurd.

His opponent tried to clear the table, missing his second to last yellow, leaving Eddie with a shot on the black. He cued up and potted the black to win the team the title.

"We all erupted in complete shock about what we had just done."

The Victoria Gobblers won a total prize pot of £2k along with the coveted ‘BAPTO Nationals’ team trophy, adding the team's name to the event's roll of honour.