Cue the applause

Shannon Swain, left, and Mike Grattan won the clubs national snooker pairs title last weekend. Grattan will attempt to win his third tournament in Gore in as many weeks on Saturday.

Cue sports player Mike Grattan will attempt to win his third tournament in Gore in as many weeks on Saturday.

He is in red hot form going into the Southern Pairs Pool Tournament at the Gore Town & Country Club after wins in the Clubs New Zealand National Snooker Pairs and Southland Tui Singles Pool competition.

Grattan’s pairs partner is Shannon Swain who has overseas snooker experience and is a former New Zealand representative.

Success in the Clubs New Zealand National Snooker Pairs, at the Gore RSA last weekend, was Grattan’s best win in cue sports.

‘‘To win a national title, it doesn’t come much better than that,’’ he said.

‘‘It was an unbelievable feeling, something I will remember for the rest of my life.’’

Playing and winning in front of his family and friends was a proud moment for him. Interestingly, all four players in the final represented the Gore Town & Country Club.

Concentrating on playing shots knowing spectators were watching closely was a part of the game competitors had to cope with, Grattan said. ‘‘You’ve got to block it out. ‘‘It’s easier said than done at times, especially if you’re not playing well.’’

Grattan was a pool player before Swain’s father, Harry, encouraged him to try snooker in 2008.

‘‘In the last year practising with Shannon has helped my [snooker] game and I’m seeing the results,’’ Grattan said.