The apologetic tone in Kurt Dunham’s voice said it all.
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How desperate the world-class Somerset snooker star had been to have his name etched onto the inaugural Ron Atkins Classic trophy.
“I really, really wanted to win this tournament more than any other before, especially this being the first-ever Ron Atkins Classic,” he said.
“As everyone has named me the biggest Tasmanian hope and what not, I had a lot of pressure on me and everyone came up riding me the whole way, which is good but in the back of your mind there is a bit of extra pressure.
“I have learned to deal with that, but I really, really wanted to get the win here.”
It wasn’t to be for Dunham, as West Australian Matthew Bolton came from behind in the ninth and final frame in Sunday night’s final against Victorian Steven Mifsud at Country Club Tasmania.
But the heartbreak of a semi-final defeat for the popular Tasmanian favourite is promising to only harden the 26-year-old’s steely resolve further looking to next year.
“This will absolutely be the biggest one on the calendar for me,” Dunham said.
“I will always want to win this one until I do win it.
“I can’t wait to come back already – the event was great.”
In the state’s first-ever ranking event named after the Tasmanian game’s great Ron Atkins, Dunham was desperate to honour one of his snooker idols growing up when with cue in hand.
“I was lucky enough to meet Ron only a couple of times when I was still living and playing here as a junior,” Dunham said in reflection.
“He used to come down when we had our state titles on and things like that, and he used to come and have a chat and ask me how I am going and a few things about my game. To come back and give a little bit back to the tournament for his name and for Leanne is really nice.”
After spending the past two years experiencing the culture of the snooker halls of the UK, Dunham was better prepared than ever before.
But he was left to regret what might have been when Mifsud eliminated the state’s final player from the three-day Launceston tournament.
“I couldn’t get going this morning,” Dunham said.
“I tried to keep up with Steve in our match and had a couple of chances, but I couldn’t keep any sort of pressure on him. He’s too good of a player and all of sudden he was too far away.”
From the unknown underdog in the old dart playing on different tables, different cloths, the return to crowd hero was a surreal feeling.
“I had 20 people of family and friends who came and supported for the day,” he said, “they were in my corner and I haven’t had anything like that for over two years.”