Nick Roberts of the Swallow has achieved the ultimate goal in eight-ball pool and qualified to play for England.

Nick's love of pool started when he was ten-years old and living in a pub and by 17 he had qualified to play for the Wiltshire A-team. He played local league pool for the Plough Inn at Durrington. Nick moved to Andover in the mid-90s and quickly established himself as one of the best players in town joining the successful Kings Head team before the it moved on to the Swallow. Nick qualified for Hampshire in 2004 and quickly became established in the A-team and set about finishing in the top eight in the region and thus securing an England trial.

He achieved this goal after coming through a regional play-off back in December to take his place in the trials at Great Yarmouth last weekend. The trial had 64 of the best players in the country playing a series of matches and six wins were needed.

Nick opened his account with a 3-1 win over Michael Pears before a tough victory over Darryl Bareham. The third round went the same way against Neil Harris before the fourth round paired him with Ray Scott to whom he suffered the first setback as he lost 3-0. Round five took on extra significance with the defeat in the previous match but Nick responded magnificently to play perhaps his best pool of the day and race to a 3-0 victory over Liam Stanley.

Round six saw another 3-1 victory for the Swallow man over Dave Williams then round seven saw a match against Richard Harling, and with both players realising their dream was in sight a nervous time was expected, but Nick potted the winning black to take the match 3-1 and secure his place in the squad for the 2007 season.

Nick is looking forward to flying the flag for Andover and Hampshire pool on the international stage and has already been measured up for the famous red waistcoat.