The team has been three years in the making, with the family deciding in 2005 to enter the team once second youngest pool champion Tyson reached the legal competition age of 12.

A dominant side containing two Australian Eight-ball title holders and a Victorian Eight-ball title holder was formed and the bold decision was made to enter in division one.

It soon proved a masterstroke, the team going through the season suffering only one defeat on the way to the final.

“Tyson had his 12th birthday in January in 2008 and because of the success the children had over the previous years we decided to skip divisions three and two, jump in the deep end, and enter division one,’’ father Mark Howie said.

“We suffered our first and only defeat in round nine where we lost the final frame and went down seven to nine (out of 16 frames). “We also had two eight-all draws during the season.’’

The Howie’s have won a string of state and national titles.

Nick, 19, is a Victorian under-18 title winner, under-21 title winner and under-18 Australian champion, Raquel, 14, is an under-15 Victorian title runner-up, while Tyson, 12, is a four-time Victorian under-12 and present Australian under-12 title holder.

Despite finishing two rounds clear on top of the ladder heading into the finals series, the highly credentialled side did not take their opponents lightly, but still needed a touch of luck to get over the line.

“We were two frames ahead (against the Weigh Inn Hotel in the grand final) before losing four consecutive frames and facing an eight to six deficit,’’ Mark said.

“We could not afford to lose another frame and clawed back to draw at eight frames all.

“Each team then selected three players for a best of three frames play-off.

“We won the first, but lost the second and it came down to one single frame.

“It came down to me to secure a dream come true and victory for the Howie camp.’’

Mark thanked Hi Light Billiards and the Camp Hotel, Eaglehawk, for supporting them during the season.