WELSH potter Darren Morgan is Alabama-bound after winning his 23rd European snooker title.

The 56-year-old from Newbridge retained his seniors title at the EBSA European Snooker Championship in Albania and then followed it up by joining forces with Llanelli’s Philip Williams to win the team competition.

Morgan’s exploits earned an invite to take part in the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama and he will head to the event next month.

“I jumped at the chance. This is the closest that I will get to an Olympic event,” said the former professional, who owns the Red Triangle Snooker Club in Cross Keys.

“I really look forward to representing my country on the biggest amateur stage of all and, you never know, I might come back with a gold medal.

“It will be an honour to represent Wales through the European organisation at such a prestigious event.”

Morgan progressed from the group stages of the solo tournament in Albania to earn a quarter-final against Malta’s Philip Ciantar that he won 4-0.

That was followed by a 4-2 win over Duncan Bezzina in the semi-finals to set up a clash with England’s Wayne Brown for the title.

The Welshman edged it 4-3 by winning the last two frames – both thanks to timely breaks over 50 – for a 12th European senior title and a 22nd European title.

There was no time for celebration as Morgan then paired up with Williams for the first time in a tournament for a decade, aiming to win the title again after succeeding on three previous occasions.

They were seeded first after the group stages and went straight through to the quarter-finals where the Welsh pair were close to being knocked out by Germany, only to recover from 3-2 down to sneak through to face England.

Morgan and Williams played extremely well to ease through 4-1 and earn a final against Belgium. They held their nerve for a 5-2 success to become European champions.