DARREN Begley continued his dominance of the annual Leo ‘The Hat’ Memorial Knockout competition by clinching the title for an unprecedented fourth time at Swindon’s 147 Club.

Begley thrashed Chibolton player Luke Stoneham 6-1 in a one-sided final, missing an easy black which would have completed a whitewash, as the ninth annual event attracted 48 entries.

In the semi finals two-time winner and title holder Alan Leng took on Begley, but was beaten 5-1. The other semi saw England senior player Nigel Olding take on Stoneham, Olding racing into a 3-1 lead.

Stoneham rallied to take the next three frames, but Olding took the eighth to set up a last-frame decider.

Stoneham though won through to book a final spot at his second attempt at the tournament, but he was well beaten by Begley.

In the subsidiary event, Paul Blazier beat Jamie Galt and Lance Tucker saw off Olding in the final, before Tucker got the better of Blazier.

Organiser Jason Godbeer, who thanked club owner Noel Paul, son Karl and top table official and referee Cath Bailey, said: “It was a great couple of tournaments filled with an array of the best talent from Swindon and beyond. The event continues to be more popular every year.’’