NEIL Payton rolled back the years when he produced a stunning break of 125 at the ripe old age of 69.

The potting pensioner produced one of the highest break in the history of the Three Towns Snooker Association as he helped Sydney Street B to a 5-2 victory in a derby clash against the club’s C team.

The experienced Payton, who has played for 57 years and once practised with Alex Higgins and Dennis Taylor, admitted it was a bit of a shock.

“My form has been a bit up and down this season so to put together a break like that was a bit of a shock,” said Payton who has won more than 100 team and individual trophies during his five decades of playing across East Lancashire.

“I scored 108 a couple of years ago but this is my highest break in competition.”

He added: “I knew I was on for a decent score once I had potted the final black and I had the perfect angle for the yellow then it was a matter of keeping my cool and clearing up the colours.”

Keeping his cool should not have been too much of a problem for Payton - after all, his nickname was Mr Cool during his eight year stint as a professional pool player.

“I used to travel around the North West playing exhibition matches,” said the Accrington-based Payton. “I probably played more than 200 matches during that time.

“I went by the name of Mr Cool.”

Payton recalls the days he played against Higgins who he called a ‘genius’.

“It was up at the Elite club,” he said. “It was a bit dark and dingy then, the days when you could still buy one cigarette!

“But Alex would be there and I played against him a lot. He used to give me a good beating but it didn’t bother me.

“It was just great to be on the same table as Alex, he was a bit of a character but he was a genius.”

Despite being one year short of his 70th birthday, Payton has no plans to hang up his cue.

“There’s no fear of me stopping just yet,” he said. “And who knows, I might just have another big break in me!”

Ken Whittaker, secretary for the league, said: “This 125 break is the highest to date and will probably take some beating

“Neil has been playing in the Three Towns league for a number of years now and has always been up there with the accomplished amateur players.”

It was a welcome win for Sydney Street B - just a fourth of the season - as they climbed off the bottom of the table.

At the top of the table, Elite Great Harwood have joined Oswaldtwistle Social on 39 points thanks to a 6-1 win at Rishton Con A

But Ossie, who were not in action, have a game in hand.

Potters Sports B have slipped from second to third after they were beaten 5-2 by Platt Social.

In Division One, Potters Sports A have cut the gap on leaders Ewood Park WMC to seven points.

While Ewood beat St Pauls WMC A 5-2, Potters enjoyed a clean sweep against bottom of the table Hollins Grove, winning 7-0.

Rishton Con Club B remain in third place thanks to a 5-2 win against Clayton Con.

In the Guide Con derby, the B team beat the A team 6-1 while Longshaw WMC beat fourth-placed Burnley Road 5-2.