A MULTI talented Cowdenbeath man has been enjoying his new title of being Scotland's Under 23 8 Ball Singles Pool Champion.

James Jack, who is also drummer with the highly successful band The Sunset Spirit, overcame his struggles with the surfaces of some of the tables he played on in the earlier stages of the competition, to reach the final against Motherwell's Ryan Fisher in Falkirk last weekend.

James faced quite a haul to win this national title with the tournament starting at the end of the summer.

He had to win some nerve tingling matches to qualify for the last 32 and the now 23 year-old recalled: "Changing from blue to green covered tables and back again posed problems for all the players and it led to some tense games but I was delighted to produce some solid cue play in the semi-finals to come back from four frames down to win 9-6.

"The final with Ryan Fisher started a very tight game but I gradually managed to get to grips with things and after being level at 2-2, got 6-3 up before being pulled back to 7-5.

"At 8-6 I was within touching distance of winning it and managed stay composed to close it out by clearing up in the last frame to win 10-6."

This was the last chance for James to win the U23 title and he was over the moon at turning on his best form when it really counted.

The design apprentice, who has enjoyed playing his part as drummer in the success of The Sunset Spirit band, added: "I am currently ranked 48th in Scotland overall and my aim is to keep working hard at improving my game and work my way up the rankings.

"I am fortunate that I have some good sponsors such as Carlos Webster at the Woodside Hotel, in Cowdenbeath; Adamsons in Dunfermline and David King and I enjoy playing in IPA Tour events.

"With the band work and pool, my social time can be busy but I really want to keep working hard at my game and get even better."

James plays for the Woodside in the local league, Lourenzo's in the Dunfermline District League; and also in the Glenrothes League.

He also plays under the title of Fife's Real No1 One!