Horwich crown green bowler Lee Heaton is on top of the world today after becoming the youngest-ever winner of the famous Waterloo tournament in Blackpool.

Showing composure well above his years, 22-year-old Heaton landed the glittering prize a winners' cheque for £3,000, in one of the most compelling finals ever staged in the event's 89-year history.

The Horwich engineer beat Manchester bricklayer Eddie Galston 21-20 after never before going beyond the fifth round. Before yesterday his biggest previous prize had been £200 won in a handicap at Westhoughton Reform Club last Sunday.

In his opening quarter-final he toppled one of the favourites Brian Duncan, who was chasing his sixth title, 21-15 and then saw off the more experienced Steve Copeland 21-19 in the semi-final.

Galson, a 100-1 outsider at the start of the week, beat Glyn Cookson, the tournament second favourite 21-17 and then stopped former Leigh ace Norman Fletcher 21-15.

In the final Heaton kept his nerve after a run of six doubles saw Galston take a 19-10 lead.

But with relentless precision Heaton clawed his way back and he wrapped up his triumph with a tremendous double.

A thrilled Heaton said afterwards: "I don't know who is the happiest, myself or a mate who put £10 on me at 50-1."

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