AN 11-year-old boy has thrown down the gauntlet to all-comers after beating a whole team of adults at snooker.

The players at Selby's Bermuda Triangle club were well and truly sunk when young Steve Gregson, of Stockton-on-the-Forest, turned up to take them on.

And club owner Colin Cain is so confident that the youngster can do it again he is putting up a prize for whoever can beat Steve by the largest margin.

Steve will be at the club in New Church Lane, Selby, on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7 from noon till 5pm ready to play anyone who thinks they can beat him. It's free entry and there's a free drink for every child accompanied by a parent.

"The club players were going on about how good they are - they haven't been beaten as a pool team for 13 years - that I arranged with Steve's father Stewart to have Steve come along to take them on," explained Cain.

"There were some sarcastic comments when he turned up, like shouldn't a lad like him be in bed, but he ended up beating them all.

"I am now offering a colour television to whoever manages to beat him by the highest margin on May 7. If more than one person beats him the television will go to whoever does it by the biggest margin."

Steve has been playing since he was eight and has already amassed a host of trophies. He recently reached the final stages of the national under-14s championship, beat former world champion Joe Johnson in an exhibition match - though Steve was receiving 100 start - and in perhaps his best performance of all he lost only on a re-spotted black to professional world number 41 Jimmy Michie at York's Cueball Club.

Johnson was so impressed with the youngster that he has sent him a letter to say so, predicting a bright future for him if he continues to get the right coaching.

"He plays better when he has a challenge," explained his mother, Debbie, when asked how an 11-year-old approaches such a daunting task as playing against a team of adults and famous players.

"He lost to one player but played him again and beat him and he beat another player twice even after Steve gave him a 33 start the second time. He will play everyone off scratch on May 7.

"His big ambition is to have a full-size table of his own at home," added Mrs Gregson.

Steve is coached by former professional player and the Iceland national coach Steve Prest at Harrogate's Manhattan Club.

Places are still available in the snooker competition in aid of Woodlands Respite Care Centre being held at the Cueball Club, James Street, York, on Sunday starting at 10am. There is a total of £100 prize money and all players (limit 20) are guaranteed at least eight frames. Contact Gary Penrose on York (01904) 415181.

Updated: 10:56 Saturday, April 28, 2001