CHRIS Norbury was rewarded with a once-in-a-lifetime match against former World Champion Ken Doherty after his victory in the East Lancashire Snooker Championships.

The Accrington-based 11-year-old beat Jamie Williams of Ashton-Under-Lyne 2-0 in the best-of-three final of the under 12s section of the championships at Hyndburn Sports Centre.

Liverpool's Steve Croft turned in a sensational performance to carry off both the under 16s and under 19s prizes without losing a frame.

A 2-0 victory over Bolton's Craig Steadman earned him the under 16s crown.

And he then saw off the challenge of Burnley's John Lawless with a 3-0 win in the under 19s final in front of over 200 enthralled spectators.

Croft, together with under 12s winner Norbury and beaten finalist Williams, then took on Doherty in a series of single frame challenge matches to cap an entertaining evening.

The event, in association with the North Lancs Training Group and the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, raised over £1800 for the Association of Children with Heart Disorders.

Organiser Steve Hill said: "The competition was a massive success and a great evening's snooker was enjoyed by everyone there."

The event attracted 237 entries with top players from across the county battling through three 0separate Sunday's of heats for a place in the final.

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