TWO decades on after his last victory, York copper Neil Wood was again in arresting form as he was crowned the National Police Snooker Champion.

The 45-year-old, who still plays for Heworth in the York Conservative Clubs’ League, beat former ranking event finalist Euan Henderson 3-1 in the showpiece at the Potters holiday complex, near Great Yarmouth.

His opponent lost 9-5 to Mark Williams in the final of the 1996 Grand Prix and also qualified for the World Championships during his professional career but was no match for Wood, now a five-time winner of the event.

A 79 break in the first frame of the final set him up for the victory and was a remarkable recovery after he had spent time out of the game after undergoing major back surgery.

He now regains a trophy that also bears the name of Ray Reardon, who became a six-time World Champion, and Wood said: “We played a round- robin stage first and then the semi-finals and final the next day.

“I beat Neil Marshall 3-0 in the last four, who is a previous winner, and when I looked at the trophy - and the last time I won it - it was 19 years ago. I used to play a lot of snooker then.

“I didn’t think I would win it again. I have probably been back to the tournament five times in the years since and I have now won it five times overall. I won it four times on the trot at one point but Euan has dominated it over the past ten years.

“I had a lot of 60s and 70s during the tournament and I haven’t always entered the qualifiers with work commitments. I just thought it would be a nice three days away but then you get to the final and think ‘I can win it.’

“I don’t play that much in the league now but I miss playing competitive snooker. It’s a beautiful trophy and is solid silver.”