Medway pool team JPL1 were crowned English Pool Association champion of champions at the weekend.

The seven-man team from Jordans in Rainham clinched the title in a nail-biting play-off - making up for the disappointment of losing the 2022 national final.

Jasper Simmonds sank the winning black as JPL1 claimed a 9-8 win against R.B.L in Prestatyn.

“It was a massive win for us,” said team captain Brett Clancy.

“Considering last year we were runners-up as well, it was very good and a bit emotional to be honest!

“For me, this is the biggest achievement in pool for pubs and clubs, it is so cut-throat, it’s a brutal format, if you go behind it’s hard to come back.”

The JPL1 side included England internationals such as Adam Bassoo, Harry Compton and Simmonds. Steve Mullins, Jamie Swayland, Dave Fernandez, Clancy and Jamie Kitchen - who had a great weekend, only losing one frame - made up the seven man team.

It had been a tough route to the final, beating Chatham AA in the last 16, with both teams including members who also play for the Rochester pool team.

The quarter-final tie was tense as JPL1 were losing 7-6 before taking that one to a play-off and winning 9-7. The semi-finals was less dramatic, winning through to another final, determined to make up for the 2022 loss.

JPL1 were 7-4 up but R.B.L fought back to 7-7 and taking the final into a three-man play-off with Bassoo winning, Fernandez losing and Simmonds showing nerves of steel to pot the winning balls.

“It was nail-biting,” admitted the captain.

“It looked like we had messed it up but then to come back and win was very emotional.

“Jasper’s a very good player and to see him sink the final black was brilliant.”

Jordans - run by 2023 Kent Open champion Jordan Church - is home to some top cue-men including Barry Hawkins - competing in the Champion of Champions snooker event this week.

Hawkins was among those to praise the team, writing on Facebook: “Congratulations!! Well done to everyone from Jordans Bar. Well deserved.”

Kent champion Church said: “So proud of the lads. Gutted not to be there but watched it all on the edge of my seat!”

Les Church, chairman of the Kent Pool Association, was willing them on from home and said: “Most of those lads I used to coach in the Kent junior team years ago and to see them achieve the national title is amazing, it just makes everything worthwhile, they are a nice bunch of lads.

“There are 10 pool teams that play out of Jordans and a lot of elite pool players, including internationals and champions. Nobody ever comes in and says ‘do you want to play for a fiver?!”’