Peach: This is a dream come true for me

Click here for Roberto Gomez quotes story

Click here for rack-by-rack report of final

NEW World Champion Daryl Peach admitted that he had always dreamed of winning the biggest prize in the sport.

Peach, 35, lifted the trophy and claimed the $100,000 top prize after securing a 17-15 victory in one of the best finals of all time.

He also becomes the first player from England to ever become the World Pool Champion after his memorable victory in front of more than 3,000 people at the Araneta Coliseum, Manila.

"You never really think you are going to win the World Championship," said Blackpool-based Peach.

"I always dreamed of this but when it comes around you have to grab it with both hands and luckily I did exactly that.

"It was just the amazing match I’ve ever been involved in. In the end all I could think about was keeping my head still and making one shot at a time.

"This hasn't sunk in yet - it's unbelievable. I probably won't sleep on the plane.

"I haven't got the most ability and there are lots of players with more talent than me but I just used my head and tried to focus on what I've got.

"In this game you have to take the rough with the smooth. It’s a game you can play brilliantly in and still lose, but I always knew I had a strong mind and the will to win. "

Peach had made a disastrous start to the tournament as he lost 9-1 against unknown Serbian Matjaz Erculj and was only one more defeat away from being eliminated from the competition.

But Peach, ranked as the second best player in the current European standings, played well to defeat Rodolfo Luat (Philippines) and Dharminder Singh Lilly (India) and advance out of the group phase.

He then defeated 2005 champion Ronnie Alcano (Philippines), Lee Kun-fang (Chinese Taipei) and Harald Stolka (Germany) before probably his best performance of the tournament to beat tournament favourite Francisco Bustamante in a hugely-controversial clash.

A routine semi-final triumph against Hungary's Vilmos Foldes gave Peach a place in the final, when he was once more up against a popular home player.

Peach added: "It was probably the worst match I've played since the start of the tournament and the pressure for both of us was immense.

"The atmosphere did affect me, if I said it didn't then I would be lying.

"Gomez put in a good performance under immense pressure of the home crowd and home fans.

"The Filipinos were cheering for their man and that was to be expected. I had a