Gentleman Joe shocks snooker world with a Trump triumph

Chatteris cueman Joe ‘The Gentleman’ Perry delivered the greatest moment of a 30-year snooker career by lifting the Welsh Open title last weekend.

Perry (47) became the second oldest winner of a ranking title by negotiating the toughest of draws before a comfortable 9-5 final win over hot favourite, and former world champion Judd Trump, in the final in Newport.

Only Ray Reardon has won a major event at an older age and it was his name on the trophy lifted by Perry at the end of a momentous week.

He also banked a cheque for £70k for winning the second ranking title of his career seven years after the first - and his first in the UK. He had previously won the 2015 Players Championship in Thailand.

But this win came out of nowhere for a player who had slipped down the world rankings to 42 after a couple of lean seasons. He’d even questioned his own appetite for the

game, but not any longer.

“It’s the best moment in my career by a country mile,” said Perry, whose world ranking is back up to 23 after this win. “I can’t believe it. I played really well in the evening session. I had stopped enjoying snooker, but I’m determined never to get angry with my game again.

It has cost me too many matches in the past.

“My enthusiasm is back. Snooker is the best game in the world now!”

Perry beat seeded players Mark Allen, Kyren Wilson, Ricky Walden and Jack Lisowski on his way to the final, all in final frame deciders.

Trump was generous in defeat: “Joe deserved his win. He played the best snooker all week. I’m very happy for him as he’s one of the nicest men on tour.”

Perry will still have to qualify for next month’s World Championships at the Crucible in Sheffield.

Perry couldn’t maintain • his form in the next ranking event, the Turkish Masters at the Nirvana Cosmopolitan Hotel in Antalya.

Perry was beaten 5-2 in the first round by Chinese star Liang Wenbo who won two tight frames to complete his victory.

Joe Perry in action.