Marc Cackett admits he was “mentally drained” after clinching his second Kent Amateur title in the early hours of Monday morning beating Steve Hartley 3-2 in the final at Jordan’s Snooker Club in Rainham.

The clock was ticking towards 3am when Cackett made the winning pot to claim the £300 prize, repeating his victory in 2009.

The 43-year-old from Ashford said: “It was a long old day, I was worn out at the end and mentally drained having started playing at 11am. It was a very close, including a couple of black ball games. I also had a couple of narrow escapes on the way.

The final didn’t start to shortly after 1am, the first two frames being shared, before Cackett won the third.

Hartley who lives at New Ash Green, cleared the colours to force a respotted black, before aiming for safety, putting it against the side cushion, only for Cackett to pot it impressively.

Hartley levelled by winning the next, before Cackett sank the final pink to emerge victorious.

Cackett who produced the highest clearance of the tournament with 72, has a reputation as one of the quickest players on the circuit.

Kent County Billiards and Snooker Association chairman David Jenner said: “He is the fastest snooker player I have seen, which includes the likes of Alex Higgins and Tony Drago. He also plays so much faster than Ronnie O’Sullivan. and is quite breathtaking to watch him play."