CRAIG ALLRED is feeling champion this week. The Leigh battler has won the Disabled Sport England national snooker crown. And, as he grasped the reality of Sunday's epic win, he said: "This was for my daughter Stephanie."

Craig, 33, has been striving for his first major championship for 15 years. And, in his first major final at Stirling on Sunday evening, the signs were against him breaking his dismal duck.

In the final he faced Merseysider Anthony Southern, who was going for his TENTH straight championship.

More than that, Craig had never beaten him in a variety of matches - including 11 semi-finals and 14 finals.

But Craig came through with flying colours, winning 2-1 and clinching the title with a glorious long-range pink to end a thrill-packed 20-minute spell with both players going for victory and just pink and black left on the table.

"I just knew I was going to win," said Craig, of Abbey Lane. "As I went round the table I was always smiling and thinking of little Stephanie."

On his way to the final he beat another local snooker ace in Hindsford's Tommy Turner. "It's the first time I've beaten him in 10 years," he said.

"I owe so much to my coach, Dave Wright, who has changed the whole way I play the game. This is down to him."

It's also down to a borrowed cue. "I tried it before the tournament in Scotland and liked it," he revealed.

Now Craig is looking for another major snooker first. Before 1997 closes he will feature in a five-game match with World No 1 Stephen Hendry.

"I don't know if I'll ever come down to earth," he said.

But he did - playing in a local league snooker match for Atherton side Rileys!

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