Billy Castle (Marchwood)
MARCHWOOD teenager Billy
Castle’s international debut was marred by tip problems until a trio of famous
names came to the rescue.
Castle
was part of the England under-16 B side that finished runners-up in the Home
Internationals at Pontin’s World Snooker Centre in Prestatyn, North Wales.
After
losing three black-ball frames to Tom Maxfield, from the eventual champions
England A, the 16-year-old sought the advice of the team manager.
“The
tip was loose and I couldn’t cue the ball straight,” said Castle. “I saw
Nigel Bond and he ripped it straight off.
World
No 23 Bond said to Billy’s dad Derek: “It’s not good at all. Who put it
on?”
Derek
replied: “I did.”
Bond,
helped by Ron Reardon, brother of six-time world champion Ray, and overseen by
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s former coach Del Hill, spent an hour reworking the
ferrule and fixing a new tip.
Following
the repair job, Castle beat Daniel Dempsey (Republic of Ireland) 2-1 and Jak
Jones (Wales) 2-1. He lost his last match 2-1 to Ross Higgins (Scotland).
“It
feels so different when you put the England waistcoat on,” said Castle who
started competitive snooker at Chandler’s Ford SC, aged 11.
“It
was absolutely awesome.”
England’s
joint manager Hill said: “Billy played and conducted himself very well. He was
a credit to his family and to England.”
On
the first day of the week-long event, the young potters from the UK and Republic
of Ireland had the chance to mix with the professionals who were finishing the
qualifying stages of the Shanghai Masters.
Derek,
who said the new tip was “beautiful”, added: “We had a lovely week; it was
brilliant.”
Coached
by ex-Saints start Ken Jones, Castle’s fourth-placed finish on the EASB Junior
Regional Tour (South) earned him an England call-up. He makes his EASB Premier
Junior Tour debut in Leicester.
BILLY Castle’s remarkable
year continued with a quarter-final appearance in the Search for a Star under-16
tournament in Prestatyn.
After
missing out on qualification for the 2007 knockout on a re-spotted black, the
15-year-old cousin of under-12 champion Shane eased through this year’s
round-robin group unbeaten in 12 matches.
He
recorded draws against Republic of Ireland international Dan O’Regan and Welsh
under-14 finalist Jak Jones.
In
the knockout, Castle beat Rob Tickner 2-0 and Jerry Connors (Cardiff) 3-0.
But
he was denied a semi-final place by Shahrukh Nasir (Birmingham) despite battling
back from 2-0 down to force a decider.
Castle,
who pocketed £25, said: “I should have won the two frames but I missed a
couple of sitters and paid for it.
“That
should build up my confidence a lot for next year against the big boys. I’ve
got a year to practise and get better.”
Dave
Mumford, captain of Castle’s Southampton Premier outfit Churchills’, said:
“What Billy demonstrated to me, and I had the benefit of watching him at close
quarters in a tournament environment, is that he’s a quality player.
“He’s
got a big heart and I know his father doesn’t put any pressure on him.
“Everybody
associated with Billy, his coach, his parents and family should be really proud
of what he’s achieved.
“He
takes everything in his stride; he’s very unassuming; he likes a laugh but
when it’s on the table it’s business.”
Castle
(Marchwood) is coached by ex-Saints star Ken Jones and sponsored by TJM
Groundwork. He is seventh on the EASB Regional Junior Tour South and travels to
Leeds next month for the last-16 of the EASB national under-16 championship.
Dad
Derek said: “I’m very proud of Billy and he’s going to learn a lot from
it. It’s been a fantastic year.”
MARCHWOOD teenager Billy
Castle turned down an evening at the cinema with his mates for a practice
session – and scored his first century.
The
15-year-old, who rattled in a 119, said: “After the frame I was shaking, but
it was a good feeling.”