SNOOKER centre boss Stuart Barrow has finally found a place in his own hall of fame - after 23 years of trying!

The Scala Snooker Centre in Ormskirk Street has hosted all the top players on the local scene since it first opened in 1983.

And for the whole of that time, owner Stuart has been striving to win the St Helens Snooker League Individual Champion title without success - until last week when he produced a top-drawer performance to topple former professional Craig Harrison 3-1 in the best of five frames final.

Craig, who recently relinquished his professional licence to return to the amateur ranks, went into the final as a worthy favourite but no one had bargained on a fabulous performance by Stuart.

Both players had chances to take the first frame before it fell to Stuart after whittling away at his opponent's opening burst. Frame two was all Craig, but Stuart made it 2-1, always holding the upper hand in the third to leave him needing just one more for the title.

Craig took a slight lead in frame four before a stubborn black refused to fall, handing the initiative to Stuart who knocked in a terrific break of 72 to land the spoils.

Stuart's victory completed a unique family double, his dad, Chris having captured the inaugural St Helens Individual Handicap Championship in the early 1990s.

And, having failed at the final hurdle to take the Junior Individual title on a number of occasions in his early days on the green baize, he was delighted to net 'the big one.'

He said: "Obviously, when playing someone of Craig's ability it is important to give them their respect, but I managed to remain focused, and when I took on the important shots I managed to make them count. Everything came right for me on the night."