NOVICE player Chris Alexander is the Island’s new billiards champion – after having played only four competitive matches!

The 21-year-old, who works in Telecommunications for Telesol, won the title at the 147 Club in Wharf Street last night after a 500-298 success against fellow 147 cueist Karl Le Fèvre.

Earlier in the day, at the Jersey Mechanics’ Institute, both players won their semi-finals, unseeded Alexander 400-379 against number two seed Mick Mahrer and Le Fèvre 400-365 against last year’s champion Guy Heys.

Alexander said: ‘It’s unbelievable.

I’ve only played four competitive game of billiards and I’m Island champion.

All I do is pot, I don’t play in-offs or cannons as I don’t know the rules.

‘I entered for a laugh to support the competition and make the numbers up and now I’m champion.

The experienced guys say potting is not billiards but that’s the only way I know how to play at the moment.

‘I’m going to practice now with former England cueist Gary Britton and learn the game, but at the moment all I concentrate on is potting the balls.’ The final was refereed by 16-year-old Darren Malzard.

Alexander will now play Guernsey’s as yet undecided champion for the Channel Islands title in Guernsey on Friday 27 April.