Snooker legend puts local players through their paces

Snooker fans cued up for a memorable night with Masters Champion Matthew Stevens.

Oldhamers were treated to a rare and thrilling experience as they got a chance to play a few frames with one of the sport’s great legends. 

The 47-year-old hailed his time in the borough as a ‘good experience with lovely people’ and said he looked forward to playing at the Oldham Snooker Academy again in the next few months. 

He said: “It was very good, and I really enjoyed it. It was the first time I had been to the club. I played 10 frames and me and Nisar, talked about me coming back in the winter.”  

Stevens added: “I didn’t get a chance to see the town, but I am looking forward to visiting again.” 

Organiser of the exhibition, Mohammed Nisar added: “It was a fabulous night, really enjoyed by those who attended and Matthew was brilliant.” 

Stevens has won two of the game’s triple crown events, the Masters in 2000 and the UK Championship in 2003.    

He has also been a two-time runner-up in the other triple crown event, the World Snooker Championships in 2000 and 2005.   

The sport's star reached a career high ranking of No.4 for the 2005/2006 season and has compiled more than 350 century breaks during his impressive career.