Ross pool player, Shai Hardwick, played a one on one challenge match on Saturday,?November 25th, with the winner due to take a massive £4,000.

The challenge match took place at the Umbrella Sports Bar in Cheltenham and Shai played Michael Clifford.

Shai told the Ross Gazette prior to the event that he was “not nervous,” and had supporters from Ross coming to the match via a coach.

Shai added: “I have won 13 out of 15 challenges, and want to keep a good record going.”

Unfortunately, in an exciting and very close game, Shai lost in the deciding frame, with a final score of 18-17.

Shai said: “I?played well in some patches, but when you play challenge matches, there’s not much room for error.

“I made a few mistakes in the middle of the match which cost me, and the score was 12-8 at the interval. I got it back right at the end.”

“When it’s 17-17, the first to 18, it’s anyone’s to win. It doesn’t matter how good you are, anyone can beat anyone over one frame of pool.

“It is very hard to take, losing by one frame, but my attitude towards to game is key, on and off the table.

“I want to thank the travelling support and the people who backed me to win this match. It means everything to me.”

Shai added: “I need to focus on this Saturday coming, where I?will be playing in the grand final of the Worcester tour. I?managed to make it to the top 32 of the tour, which means I qualify to play in the grand final.”