A local has finally won the AG Challenge Championship tournament at the Wanganui East Club in the third year of trying as Paul Briggs defeated inaugural 2015 champion Jack Lemon of Greytown in the final on Sunday.
The tournament is for 16 premier players, attending by invitation only, vying for a prize pool of over $4000.
Organiser Peter Bouzaid said Briggs was leading the qualifying after the Saturday morning session, beating some of the tournament favourites, while Lower Hutt's Craven Teua was in second as a steady crowd came through the club to sit and watch the two tables.
A better afternoon session saw Wellington's Mike Hannah, ranked 11th nationally, finish as top qualifier, with local Willie Matthews also performing well, while defending champion Steve Robertson from Hamilton had the highest break with 61.