Morgan Proves Class is Permanent

Former world number eight Darren Morgan claimed his second Welsh National Snooker Championship title – an amazing 28 years on from his first.

The 49-year-old from Newport had a successful professional career that included glory at the 1996 Irish Masters and being captain of the Wales side that won the 1999 Nations Cup. He also reached the semi-finals of the 1994 World Championship at the Crucible Theatre.

Welsh snooker’s most prestigious amateur prize, this latest win will give Morgan great satisfaction.

A regular on the amateur circuit for several years now since his retirement from the professional game, he dealt with the regional heats earlier in the season, including a 5-3 win over Welsh number one Gareth Allen in the quarter-finals.

Morgan truly rolled back the years with a weekend to remember at the Merthyr Labour Club for the climax to the tournament.

On the Saturday he saw off fellow experienced cueist Elfed Evans 6-0 with four breaks of 60 or over to set up a showdown with former professional Daniel Wells the next day. Wells had previously booked his place in the final a few weeks before with a comeback deciding frame win over defending champion Jamie Clarke.

This generational encounter was expected to be a close affair, but Morgan exhibited his expertise in what was a surprisingly one-sided rout.

Morgan registered runs of 102, 51 and 100 to open up a 3-0 lead. He doubled that to 6-0, took frame seven on the black, and then frame eight to wrap up a comprehensive 8-0 victory.

Clarke had something to smile about as he secured this season’s Welsh under-21 championship at the Matchroom Club in Llanelli with a 3-2 victory over Wales’ number one ranked junior Tom Rees in the final.

Event date: June 2015