A POOL player has finally realised his dream of winning the Hereford singles title.
Don Cooke dramatically beat Paul Perkins 4-3 in the final to get his hands on the trophy.
"It's something I've always wanted to win," said Cooke.
"I've been playing pool since I was 13 and it is something I got into through my dad.
"It was the first final I had played in.
"I've lost a semi-final twice and been in the quarter-finals four times.
"I'm still on cloud nine."
Both players shared the opening six frames before Cooke held his nerve to win the match.
Cooke reached the final after beating reigning Hereford snooker champion Ben Fortey in the semis.
"I had a bit of luck because he potted both the black and the white and I ended up winning 3-0," added Cooke.
"I was really chuffed with the win because he's a very good player.
"He beat me before in the semi finals, so it was a bit of a revenge victory."
Cooke kicked off his tournament with a 3-2 win over last year's runner-up Phil Hill before Jamie Chapman was seen off.
Tom Edwards was then beaten 3-2 in the quarters before his win over Fortey.
Cooke was also part of the No Game team that claimed the Radford Cup after beating Vaga Boys.
However, they couldn't clinch the Champions of Champions trophy after losing to Dishy Rascals.
As well as the trophy presentations, £1,500 was donated to local charities.
The winter season gets underway tonight with the first round of the Knock-out Cup.
Hereford Charity Pool League roll of honour
Elgar Cup: Too Forceful; runners-up: Wish Cue Were Here
Kyrle Cup: Dishy Rascals; runners-up: Lords of the Ring
Garrick Cup: LMC & Wet Dogs; runners-up: Broadleys
Radford Cup: No-Game; runners-up: Vaga Boys
Gwynne Cup: No-Hopers-Mind; runners-up: Take Aim
Knock-out Cup: Dishy Rascals; runners-up: Shaun's Hustlers
Champion of Champions: Dishy Rascals; runners-up: No-Game
Hereford Singles Champion 2017: Don Cooke; runner-up: Paul Perkins
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