A FORMER Monmouth Comprehensive School pupil has competed in a home nations snooker tournament.
Andy Williams, who also worked at Waitrose in Monmouth until last year, was selected as one of seven top amateurs to represent Wales.
Andy, from Coleford, was chosen alongside Gareth Allen, Elfed Evans, Steve Thomas, Darren Thompson and ex-professionals Lee Walker and Peter Roscoe.
"This was my first year in the Welsh tour, but due to my ranking I got selected for the Welsh senior team," said Andy.
"There were seven players in the squad and six players played in each game."
Wales' first game was against Scotland and the team managed to win 10-eight, but Andy lost his game three-nil.
"This meant that I sat out against a very strong England team, where we lost 10-six," said the 25-year-old.
"I returned against Republic of Ireland where we won 10-eight and I managed to win my match three-nil.
"The last game we played was against Northern Ireland and after England drew with Scotland we needed a good win to have a chance of winning the tournament.
"We managed to win 10-two and I won my match two-nil.
"This put the pressure on an England team that had won the competition for the last six years, but they beat Republic of Ireland 10-three in the final match to win the tournament and leave us taking the runner-up prize."
There was also a singles competition which was open to both amateurs and professionals.
There were a total of 350 entrants including such big names as Darren Morgan, Nigel Bond, Joe Swail and Michael Holt.
Andy won his first three games three-one, three-nil and three-nil, but then lost three-two on the pink in the last 64.
This meant he finished just outside the prize money, the winner picking up £4,000.