England Dominate Home Internationals Again

England again dominated the Home International Snooker Championships, Pontins, Prestatyn winning six titles during the week’s event in North Wales.

The Men’s, Under 16’s and Under 19’s won all of their matches in both the Home Series and the International Challenge all three sides winning most of their matches convincingly.

Craig Steadman, Bolton led from the front captaining the Men’s team to 9 wins to retain the Prince of Wales Shield and regain the International Challenge.

Steadman made three century’s 107,116 and the section’s highest a 140, Michael Wild, Oldham also made a 108 the youngest member of the team Adam Duffy, 18, Sheffield remained the only player in the side unbeaten.

England defeated Northern Ireland 17-1,Scotland 12-6, Jersey on their debut 18-0,
Guernsey 14-4, Wales 11-7 and the Republic of Ireland 12-6 to win the home series and captured the International Challenge with wins against guest teams Qatar 18-0, France 13-5 and Pontins 10-8 for a frame tally of 125 won to 37 lost.

The Under 19’s led by Michael Wasley, Gloucester who made the highest break in this section a modest 78 overcame Scotland 17-1, Republic of Ireland 16-2, Northern Ireland 13-5 and the deciding match Wales 11-7 plus victory’s over Belgium 14-4 and Qatar 18-0 to pocket two titles.

The North East’s John Astley, Gateshead and Stephen Craigie, Newcastle never lost a match in this section as did Kris Vincent, Plymouth.

Mitchell Mann led the Under 16 team swamping all the teams to also win two events
playing the home teams twice beating Scotland 12-6 and 13-5, Northern Ireland 17-1 and 16-2, Republic of Ireland 13-5 and 14-4, Wales 13-5 and 12-6 finally a 12-6 win over Pontins.

Two England players made hundreds Danny McCann, Liverpool the highest 104 and Kyren Wilson, Kettering 102, Sam Craigie weighed in with a 91 and the skipper Mann 90.

Both Mann and Wilson remained undefeated in the Under 16’s.

Wales won the Masters title (Over 40) and the Pontins team made up of all ex English professionals headed by former top 16 star Mike Hallett won the International Masters Challenge.

Republic of Ireland A won the Ladies title, England unable to raise a team to defend the Marie Colquitt Sheild won for the past 12 years.