World champ Higgins takes Break in Clydebank

Published 18 Nov 2009 15:00

SNOOKER legend John Higgins gave some young stars of the future a masterclass they will never forget at Lucky Break this week.

Higgins played six exhibition matches with Scottish youth champions who might just follow in the world champion's footsteps in years to come. And later he played against six lucky seniors.

The wizard of Wishaw wowed the huge crowd that had turned out to Lucky Break Snooker Club with his astonishing talent which have made him one of Scottish sport's biggest success stories.

And he told Sport Scene: "It reminds me of when I won the Scottish under-16s championship almost 20 years ago. Obviously great nights like these are all down to John Rea.

"Snooker is one of the best sports Scotland has ever had in the last two decades. You just have to look at Stephen Hendry, but the government won't give it any funding."

"But guys like John Rea make a big difference in this part of the world and there are a lot of youngsters out here tonight so it is great to come along and do something like this.

"And it will be interesting to see how good the young talents coming through are."

Commenting on his own hopes for the future Higgins said: "I don't really set targets for myself. I just try and do my best however I would love to hold on to the world title."

David Fanning, of Hardgate, was given the chance to face the world champion after he won the junior tournament.

The 12-year-old said: "It was a great experience for me because he is a fantastic player. I thought I performed well and I would love to face him again in the future.

"I felt really encouraged when he said I was a star player and it has given me a lot of confidence."

Lucky Break owner Rea, who was Scottish champion 20 years ago, said: "To have a current world champion here is terrific and I'm looking forward to playing him.

"We have had former world champions down here but this is the first time we have had the current world champion at the club.

"We had the Scottish under-16s championship here and it went brilliantly so we are putting Clydebank on the map.

"People say the game is dying and it isn't as good as it used to be but I think the turn out shows snooker is still going strong."

World No.3 Stephen Maguire will be appearing at Lucky Break on Monday November 23, 7pm for 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £10 and can be purchased at the Lucky Break bar on Glasgow Road, Clydebank.

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 18 Nov 09

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