New Zealand's best snooker player was crowned in Gore over the weekend at the national champs, and it's a hometown hero who pocketed the top prize.
If hometown advantage counts, then Gore's Shannon Swain was determined to score heavily.
Maybe because he's a local boy he feels comfortable here, but he seems to be the only one that's looking like he's scoring well.
Mark Canovan knows better than most what it takes to win - the former pro has four national titles to his name.
"There's a lot of good players in New Zealand, it's a competitive tournament - it's tough," he said.
Gore is one of the best snooker venues in the country, with strong support for a sport that has seen its popularity wane in New Zealand, without a household name.
"We need to have someone break through, and do something on the world stage and that would really boost our sport," Canovan said.
Among the next generation of hopefuls is 19-year-old Cody Unkovich.
"I'd love to travel the world playing like all the professionals you know, but getting over there is not as easy as people think," he said.
Swain edged past the top-seeded Canovan in a tight semi-final - feeling no extra pressure in front of a home crowd.
"Nah, I've done it so long that you learn to block it out," he said.
That set up a final with former national champion Deepak Bala of Auckland.
Swain ran out a deserved 6-3 winner and qualified for the world champs at Sydney next year.
But first he'll celebrate his second national title, and his first at home.
