WELSH pool players stormed to success in the recent Blackball 2014 World Championships in Perth, Scotland.

The Wales senior team were crowned world champions after beating the hosts 13-10 in the final.

Cardiff’s Phil Hendrickson won the wheelchair title, beating England’s Tony Southern 6-5 in the final.

And Newport’s Luke Sanges crushed South African Aden Joseph 7-2 to become the under-18 world champion.

Wales were also runners-up in the special and under-18 team events.

For Sanges it was just reward for many months of preparation at the Rileys sports bar in Newport.

“I’m over the moon,” said the 18-year-old. “I practiced for two to three months solid for this event and put everything into it so it’s good to know that the hard work paid off.

“It’s the biggest event I’ve won and I put a lot of pressure on myself going into it.

“I had high hopes and I’m so pleased to have come home with the trophy.”

Sanges now aims to move onto senior level and pursue a full-time career in pool and is on the lookout for sponsors to help him achieve his goals.

“That was my under-18s tournament and I want to progress to the next level now,” added the youngster.

“Newport Rileys have been really good in letting me practice for free but playing at senior level will cost a lot in terms of travelling, hotels and entry fees so any help that I can get to go pro would be much appreciated.”

Sanges previously won the European championships in Malta and is hoping to go to the next world championships, set to be hosted by South Africa.

The Welsh senior team, featuring Phil Hoskins, Jordan Shepherd, Craig Marsh, Ieuan Roberts, Richie Oliver, Mark Bowen and Andrew Hughes, are also celebrating lifting the trophy.

The team overcame a group stage defeat to England to qualify for the quarter-finals where they edged out South Africa 13-12.

They then beat reigning champions France 13-6 in the semi-finals before upsetting the odds against the hosts in the final live on Premier Sports TV.

“We had our friends and family watching on TV and it was a great day,” said Hoskins.

“We’re normally amongst the favourites but we’ve just not got over the line in the past four or five years.

“We lost in the Euro finals so to beat Scotland in Scotland and be world champions for the next two years at least is pretty special.”