A YORK boy's costly disappointment was changed to joy thanks to his snooker hero Paul Hunter.

Twelve-year-old John Clasper, of Holgate, spent £11 pocket money buying draw tickets trying to win the prize of playing a frame against the world-ranked number four from Leeds when he made a star appearance at the Castle Snooker Club in Tower Street.

But the winning ticket wasn't his and he was trying to come to terms with his bad luck when Hunter as a special gesture decided to play an extra frame just for John.

The All Saints School pupil, who plays football for Imphal Tigers in York Mitchell Sports League and goes regularly to the Castle Club to play snooker, was thrilled by the unexpected chance.

Although nervous when taking his shots while being watched by one of the game's great players, John still managed to pot a few balls.

Hunter made a handful of 50-plus breaks in beating eight other members of Castle Club and draw winner Scott Graham, who was visiting York from Scotland just for the weekend.

At the end of the evening he chose Tom Nall as player of the night for knocking in 32 points against him in the opening frame.

The other club members who played Hunter were James Parry, Irfan Kaye, Kevin Potter, Mehmet Yaman jnr (son of the club owner), Jonathan Gregory, James Maxwell and Gavin Chapman.

Updated: 10:31 Tuesday, December 21, 2004