Alan’s best score this century!

Alan Peck, who was Yorkshire’s individual youth champion at 18, scored the winning break at Birstall IDL club two weeks after his 65th birthday.

And Alan had only picked up his cue again in 2009 after stepping back from the game about 20 years ago.

He said: “It was a nice birthday present!

“I’d been in the position a few times but broke down every time. This time I’d just turned 65 and thought I’d take my chance.

“I was playing against a fellow club player called Robert Peel who was very pleased because it was the first time he’d had a century break against him.

“At first people didn’t know what was happening but then all the players started watching.”

Alan’s previous highest break was 120 at Batley Conservative Club in the late 1990s. He said it was difficult to go pro when he was young and by the time it opened up he was in his 40s.

He decided to take a break and went back to the sport aged 60.

He said: “I found it very hard but at Birstall IDL there are some good players and we all help each other; we’ve got back into the game together.

“I don’t think you get better with age but experience helps and I am enjoying it.

“It’s very pleasing to think at 65 you can still knock in a century break. I always felt I had one left in me!”