A COMPUTER hacker from Basingstoke who struggles to get his cue on line has won his first tournament on a regional snooker circuit.

Christian Chislett recorded three breaks of more than 80 to overcome Grant Mason in the final of the seventh leg of the Cuestars South of England Championship Tour in Bournemouth.

The 30-year-old, who works for an ethical hacking company that tests computer security systems, found a way through Mason’s defences in the first frame and made an 85.

First-time finalist Mason, competing on home tables at Greenbaize Snooker Club, squared the match on the colours.

Despite insisting he cannot find the centre of the cue-ball, Chislett responded with a run of 88 and then missed the green on 111 to clinch a 3-1 victory.

Mopping up the last five colours would have eclipsed the 134 total clearance made by rankings winner Billy Castle to wrap up a 3-1 quarter-final victory over defending champion Matt Ford.

Earlier, Chislett made a 77 break in the group stages of the event sponsored by snookerhub.co.uk and added an 88 in his 3-1 semi-final success over Andover cueman John Hunter.

“I could have had three or four (centuries) today,” he said. “It’s inconsistency.

“I can’t find the middle of the white (ball) – I’m not sure it actually exists!”

Chislett made his Championship Tour debut in Swindon in 2009 and Bournemouth was his 22nd outing.

“It’s the first time I’ve actually played well in one of these events,” said Chislett, who climbed three places to third.

“I’m happy but it’s taken a while. The standard has definitely gone up a little this year.

“I’ve always scored heavily. I just need that chance. I’m not a great long potter so I struggle to get in a lot of the time and my safety (play) is not great.”

Away from Cuestars events, Chislett makes a 110-mile round trip once a week to turn out for Selsey Royal British Legion in the Chichester and District Snooker League.