HE was the winner of nine ranking events with a highlight being the 1991 World Snooker Championship title.

But the tables turned on John Parrott when he came up against Comrades A hotshot Rob Donohoe in a packed Lindford Working Men’s Club.

Donohoe had a sterling season in the Farnham & District Billiards & Snooker League, winning the Presidents Trophy and making a season-high break of 50 for Division 2 winners Alton Cons Club E.

Yet incredibly, he nearly beat that score in the opening frame of the league’s annual presentation evening, making a knock of 46 in a 71-24 victory against the loveable Liverpudlian.

“You’re too good for me,” said Parrott, before adding that Donohoe “played like a professional” in a superb performance.

Liss RBL A player and Singles winner Nick Booth – who went two seasons undefeated in the league before this September – also gave Parrott a fright, leading 23-1 at one stage before going down 62-39.

Parrott finally found some rhythm against Division 3 top break-maker Alex Elkins of Bourne B, knocking in a 53 break on way to a 83-20 win, before seeing off the challenge of Division Two breakbuilder Ian Etherington 94-23.

Parrott and Nigel Phillips were close friends by the end of the evening as the Comrades A player collected several trophies, including the Steve Murphy Memorial Shield for a league-high break of 68 and the Doubles Trophy along with teammate Dominic Holmes. The league winner started brightly against the professional but went down 70-23 in the last frame of the evening.

The night was also a memorable one for Liss RBL players Sam Boulton and Kevin Woodford after winning the draw to play the special guest. The former was beaten 99-7 but there was top banter in the second game, with Woodford saying ‘it’s not over’ despite being several dozen points behind and needing snookers.

Parrott also took part in a question and answer session after thanking the organisers, referee and players for their part.

He said: “It’s great to see this snooker league is still going strong when so many clubs are closing down – it’s fantastic to see so many of you here tonight.”