Ace potter Mark Gray is still buzzing after helping Europe win pool’s PartyPoker Mosconi Cup at Blackpool last week.
Spalding and District Snooker League star Gray clinched his second Mosconi crown as Europe saw off the USA 11-5 to make it five wins on the trot in the famous competition.
41-year-old Gray, who lives in Bourne, lost his only singles match 5-3 against John Schmidt last Monday, but won a vital doubles match with Karl Boyes on the Wednesday as Europe beat USA 11-5 in the event dubbed the ‘Ryder Cup of pool’.
The Bourne Snooker Centre cue wizard put Europe’s success at Tower Circus down to superior team spirit – and is now targeting a hat-trick of Mosconi medals in 2015.
Gray said: “It was the most amazing venue and atmosphere that I’ve ever played in.
“Personally, I felt that I played really well – and feel I deserved more than the two points out of five that I got.
“Against John Schmidt on the first night I had three break and runs, but he had four which is crazy in eight racks! I was so was gutted to lose that 5-3.
“But the Mosconi Cup is about team and not individuals. As a team we all got on great – which I think is why we are winning the Mosconi most years now.
“The USA are more about individuals, but Europe is more of a team.
“On a personal level, it is a dream come true to be a two-time Mosconi winner.”
“in 2015 I’m going to set my targets high to try and make the Mosconi team again for my third appearance.
“The next one is held at Mandaley Bay Las Vegas, so it’s a big one.”
Gray, who is currently ranked as number two in both the European and GB9 rankings, flew out to Italy yesterday for his final Euro Tour event of year.
He was joined by Nikos Ekonomopoulos, Darren Appleton, Karl Boyes and Niels Feijen in a team that secured Europe’s joint second best winning margin in the annual transatlantic 9-ball event.
The resident pro at Bourne Snooker Centre thanks Travis Perkins for sponsoring him at the Mosconi Cup.
