JOHN Hunter’s concern that he was past his prime was dispelled by a first tournament win in just over a year.

The 49-year-old from Andover was relieved to claim the fourth leg of the Cuestars South of England Seniors (40+) Tour at Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon.

Hunter, who was born four months before Alf Ramsay’s wingless wonders embarked on their victorious 1966 World Cup campaign, last enjoyed success on January 25, 2015, at his practice base, Salisbury Snooker Club.

He said: “I was starting to fear old age had caught up with me,”

“It was nice to win a comp again.

The extra practice of late paid off.”

Hunter dropped one frame out of 17, to clubmate Richard Swaffield in the group stages, and compiled six breaks of more than 40.

He overcame Matt Ford (Bracknell) 2-0 in the last-four and Swaffield, who had knocked out rankings leader Mike Talmondt (Portsmouth) in the quarter-finals, 2-0 in the final to collect a £100 prize.

The home club’s Ron Threadgill made his Cuestars debut – at the age of 81 – and won one frame in his sixman round-robin group.

Talmondt’s 111 in the group stages topped the 18 breaks of 40 or more returned by the 24-strong field.

The top three are starting to pull away. Talmondt is ten points clear of Ford while Hunter is three points further back.

Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club hosts next on Sunday 21 February