Mullane takes title after battle of best mates (From Daily Echo)

Mullane takes title after battle of best mates

11:27pm Friday 20th July 2012 in General Sport

JOHN Mullane insisted he was “the second most disappointed person in the room” after being crowned Southampton billiards champion for the third time in four years.

The former England international defeated his team captain Terry Azor 499-446 in a thrilling two-hour match in which both finalists compiled century breaks.

Clutching The Gordon Lewis Cup after his victory on the super-fast, tight match-table at Cue T’s Snooker Lounge, Marchwood , Mullane had words of sympathy for Azor, who has never lifted the trophy in his long career.

“There’s nobody more pleased than me to win,”

said the 40-year-old from Winchester .

“But I’m probably the second most disappointed person in the room because Terry’s my best mate and I’m upset for him.

“To play that well, I was almost rooting for him!”

Full story in Saturday's Daily Echo snooker spotlight