WEST FIFE has two new European pool champions after Liam Dunster and Alan Reynolds potted their way to glory in Bridlington earlier this month.

The talented cue stars, from Inverkeithing and Rosyth, were on top form to clear up at the European Blackball Association (EBA) European Championship and land the men’s and learning difficulty titles respectively.

But the duo have no intention of settling for being continental champs – they have both got their eyes on tasting global glory later this year.

Current Scottish number one Liam, 22, won the under-23 event last year before reaching the men’s quarter-finals and is a four-time world champion at that age level.

The reigning Scottish men’s champion, he produced some memorable displays on his road to the final this time around, which included dispatching four-time world champion Andy Lucas and a 6-1 thrashing of Dutchman Dyon Brouwers in the last four.

His win in the final against Wales’ Cory Rees turned out to be just as straightforward and Liam, who turned professional last year, told Press Sport: “After winning the under-23 title last year and the men’s Scottish, this was the next step for me and although it was a step up, it was the same players who I’ve been playing with on the tour.

“I just played well and I think it helped that I’d played there the week before in the under-23 tournament. That maybe gave me a bit of an edge compared to the other men’s players because I knew the tables and conditions better, how fast they were and the springs off the cushions.

“In the final I played almost a perfect game and the commentators said my performance was almost flawless, which was great to hear. I was happy I managed to do it. I’d done it all at under-23 level, but this is my first international men’s title. The next step is the worlds in October.”

After Liam retained his world under-23 title last year, dad David joked that he was “hiding behind a curtain” to watch him play as he was seen as a bad omen. Meanwhile, Alan, a five-time Scottish champion who has also won the world championship, said that losing the final last year had made him more determined to ensure he was celebrating this time.

The 26-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, faced fellow Scot Andy Fleming in the final after being team-mates in the victorious Scotland side in the learning difficulties team competition.

In what turned out to be a “nerve-wracking” final, Alan missed a black that would would have given him an unassailable 4-1 advantage and saw his opponent claw his way back to force a final frame decider.

He said: “All I wanted was a clear chance and there was a lot of relief and emotion, especially because I lost last year.”