Pool tour glory for Parkin

Parkin had already reached the last 32 of the International Masters on the Friday, beating Jock Irvine, Andrew O’Hara and world number 23 Ian Hubbard before suffering an agonising final-frame defeat to world number seven Marc Farnsworth.

A disappointing first-round defeat to world number 40 Craig Marsh ended his hopes in the main tour event, but the Nelson Club player bounced back in fine style in the Club Open, which is restricted to amateurs on the tour.

Parkin beat Richard Marples 4-1 and Steve Finnegan 4-0 before recovering from 4-3 down to overcome Lee Bannister 5-4.

Further victories over Amos Wright and Scottish international Marc Fleming - both 5-3 - and a 5-2 semi-final success over former England junior and under-21 teammate Jack Pople then set up a final against Frank Costello.

Parkin quickly raced into a 4-1 lead, but Costello hit back, winning four consecutive frames to move within a frame of victory.

However, Parkin held his nerve to claim the final two scrappy frames to claim his first major men’s title.

“It’s great to win a major tournament like this,” said Parkin.

“This is the best pool I have played in a long time and I hope to keep this up and win more tournaments.

“I have played a lot of very good players in this tour but I managed to keep my cool and confidence.

“I was gutted to lose to Marc [Farnsworth] in the International Masters, but I have earned a lot of experience from it and it really improved my confidence, especially for the Club Open.”