FAIRYTALE OF OLD YORK

Ronnie lands UK crown for eighth time 30 years after being youngest winner

- NEIL GOULDING

RONNIE O'SULLIVAN became the oldest UK Championship winner in town with a record-extending eighth crown.

The Rocket, 48 tomorrow, eclipsed Doug Mountjoy's record of 46 years and 172 days old with a fine 10-7 victory over Chinese superstar Ding Junhui last night.

O'Sullivan, who was the youngest UK champion when he first won the title back in 1993 as a fresh-faced 17-year-old, completed a fitting fairytale 30-year anniversary as snow fell outside York's Barbican Centre.

And world No.1 O'Sullivan, who banked the tasty £250,000 top prize, said: "Each tournament I win I get great pleasure out of.

"I always keep beating myself up because of the age thing. I think I've got to stop winning at some stage. I'll keep going until the wheels fall off.