BLACKPOOL'S Paul Carpenter has pocketed £750 by coming second in the Hamlet American Pool Championship held in Sheffield.

Paul, of Leicester Road, was one of 68 non-professional players who competed in the championship on Saturday after winning the regional heat in Blackpool.

After chalking up five victories, Paul made it through to the final and couldn't have come much closer to winning the £2,500 top prize after it was five all in a first to six frames match.

But it was his opponent, Mike Dunn of Middlesbrough, who walked away with the trophy and prize money after winning the deciding frame.

Paul, 33, said: "I was really pleased at coming second but really disappointed at the same time. "Obviously it was nice to get through to the last two, but coming so close is frustrating.

"Once I had made it through to the final I thought I was going to win it and get my hands on the trophy, but it wasn't to be.

"I always thought I was in with a half a chance with it being a non-professional competition.

"In the first couple of matches the standard wasn't too good.

"But as the tournament progressed there were some really good players left.

"Once it got down to the final frame it was all about who got that important piece of luck - and it was him.

"But my opponent was very good and I've walked away with £750 which will be going towards a new car so I can't complain."

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