News from Tim Dunkley

Latest from Pontin's........

HAMPSHIRE snooker star Nick Jennings has claimed a prestigious national title at the eighth and final attempt.

The 20-year-old from Chandler’s Ford declared “it means the world to me” after being crowned Pontins Under-21 Star of the Future in Prestatyn, North Wales.

“It was the best feeling,” he told the Daily Echo. “I felt like a winner.

“I’ve been going to Pontins since I was 13 and I’ve always wanted to win that tournament.

“It means the world to me. I’ve won it now so I can tick it off the list and aim for bigger things.”

Jennings was seeded number one in the knockout after winning 15 of his 16 group-stage matches in the annual week-long junior festival.

Remarkably, the 2010 Town Champion then reached his first Pontins final with three 4-3 victories.

He survived a “good old tussle” in the last-16 to edge Joe Steele (Stoke) on the pink and compiled a 67 break in the decider to see off Darryl Hill (Isle of Man).

In the concluding frame against Scottish international Ross Muir, Jennings sunk a long, thin-cut pink into the green pocket and sent the cue-ball off three cushions to land perfectly on the match-ball black.

“It meant a lot, that one,” he said. “It was the best pink I’ve ever played in my life.”

After dispatching Clayton Humphries (Liverpool) 4-1 in front of a 50-plus crowd Jennings said: “I started to enjoy myself and settle down.”

Jennings had been beaten by future or ex-professionals three times in Star of the Future semi-finals.

In 2009, he lost to ex-pro Michael White. In the under-16 event in 2007, he was beaten by Jack Lisowski, now the world number 45, and in 2005 his run was ended by a certain Judd Trump.

Jennings, who has already spent most of his £300 prize money on clothes, had just returned from two weeks in Thailand seeing his dad.

“I needed that break,” he admitted. “I’ve got a bit more confidence and I’m going to get back on track.”

SHANE Castle chalked up his 13th competitive century, and a first for ten months, at the Pontin’s Autumn Festival.

The 13-year-old from Marchwood compiled a 102 in a 3-0 win against Craig Barber (Manchester) in the second round of the Pontin’s Open at Prestatyn, North Wales.

Castle, who beat England Masters team member Kevin Firth (Bradford) 3-0 in the first round, was knocked out 3-2 by Mark Tuite, the Republic of Ireland’s national masters champion.

Billy Castle, Shane’s cousin, accounted for Clayton Humphries (Liverpool) 3-2 and Robert McCullough (Northern Ireland) 3-1 before a 3-1 defeat by Robbie Williams (Liverpool).

Hedge End’s Jordan Winbourne, 15, dispatched Welsh international Ryan Rowlands and Alex Dunkley (Bursledon), both 3-1, but lost 3-0 to Scottish Under-19 captain Michael Leslie.

earlier news

SHANE Castle missed a “great chance” to claim his third Pontin’s title.

The 13-year-old from Marchwood was beaten 2-1 by Scotland’s under-16 national champion Ross Muir in the under-16 final at the Pontin’s Autumn Festival in Prestatyn, North Wales.

Castle, who was crowned Search for a Star Under-12 Champion in 2008 and 2009, potted a long black down the rail to take the first frame.

But in the decider he missed a long blue off its spot with the pink and black at his mercy.

Muir, 15, admitted it was a “great chance”.

En route to the final, Castle beat Josh Mulholland (Liverpool), Connell Doherty (Northern Ireland), Josh Willshaw (Stoke) and James Cahill (Blackpool).

Meanwhile, Castle and Jordan Winbourne (Hedge End) were representing England Under-16s in the Home Internationals, which was being run alongside the Autumn Festival.

As the snooker page went to press, England had beaten Wales 10-3 and Northern Ireland 10-0. They lost 11-7 to Scotland and had yet to face the Republic of Ireland.

Billy Castle (Marchwood) featured in the England Under-19 team that faced a title decider against Wales.

Previously, they drew 9-9 with Scotland but won the second encounter 10-4. They beat Wales 10-5 and the Republic of Ireland 10-7 and 10-3.

Pontin’s Autumn Festival

A MAIN Tour professional ended the hopes of two Hampshire youngsters in the under-20 tournament at the Pontin’s Autumn Festival in Prestatyn, North Wales.

World No 67 Liam Highfield, 19, defeated Nick Jennings 2-1 in the last-16.

In the previous round, the Stoke-based pro edged past 14-year-old Jordan Winbourne (Hedge End) by the same score.

Shane Castle was knocked out 2-0 by Sean O’Sullivan (London).

Jennings (Boyatt Wood) was beaten by another professional in the main event, the Pontin’s Open. He lost 3-1 in the last-64 to world No 73 Matt Couch (Scunthorpe).

Alex Dunkley (Bursledon) also fell at the same stage in the Open.

After seeing off Jamie Toal (Scotland) 3-1 and Ed Topham (Wales) 3-1, the 22-year-old went out 3-0 to Ireland’s Stephen Sherry.

And EASB competitions director John Hartley was reported to be delighted after beating Dunkley 2-1 in the first round of the 20/40 event.

All reports have been sent in by Tim Dunkley and his team ...... thanks Tim