SCOURING pads are banned from the Winchester home of Southampton billiards champion John Mullane.

The former England international defeated his Chandlers Ford Central Club team captain Terry Azor 499-446 at Cue T’s Snooker Lounge, Marchwood, to claim The Gordon Lewis Cup for the third time in four years.

But cleaning the trophy is a great big no no.

On two occasions in recent years, the Southampton & District Billiards & Snooker Association has been forced to send the cup, named in memory of the former Hamble and Aerostructures three-ball aficionado, to London for re-silver plating.

“Four years ago, Danny Zagaroli cleaned it,” explained Mullane. “It’s a very sensitive trophy and he must have damaged the silver so they had to pay to have it re-done.

“Then I cleaned it and the same thing happened!”

The 40-year-old had polished off the ageless Azor in a thrilling two-hour match in which both finalists compiled century breaks.

Azor crafted a 106 either side of the mid-session interval. Defending champion Mullane replied with a 112.

In the last-four, Mullane defeated three-time champion Paul Adams (Churchills) while Azor saw off first-time semi-finalist Steve Allen (Totton Rec).