The chance to play against former world snooker champion Dennis Taylor was too good to miss when Derbyshire Times reporter Jon Cooper bumped into him at a promotional event for the paper.

Dennis, one of the best-known faces in sport, took time out from a tour linked to the Embassy World Championship to join the winners of a Derbyshire Times competition for a little potting at Clay Cross.

It was a far cry from the night that 18 million people stayed up late to see Dennis, now retired, clinch the coveted title in a memorable match against Steve Davis.

Jon said: “The chance to play snooker supremo Dennis Taylor was an opportunity too good to miss.

“I knew he was brilliant but I could not believe my eyes as Taylor cleaned up, just occasionally leaving me some table scraps of greens and consolation reds.

“Even if my performance was more of a draught than a hurricane, I had warmed up the former world champion as he mercilessly went on to trounce Derbyshire Times competition winner Steve Gray and wowed onlookers.

“Taylor’s skills on the green baize were more than matched by his wit and snooker anecdotes as he jokes with the audience, defeated four club members and treated everyone to a string of one-liners.”

Dennis revealed he would not be coming out of retirement, though, admitting the practice required these days wouldn’t leave much time for golf.

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