Billy the Kid back with a bang

Billy Castle

The Marchwood teenager, who had chalked up only one first-round win since clinching the series-10 title, stormed to victory this week dropping just two frames out of 16.

Castle fired in a 69 clearance to wrap up a 3-0 win over Jordan Winbourne (Botley), beat Kevin Impett (Totton) 3-1 and scored 3-0 wins against Jack Hyom and Jordan Sainsbury in the semis. Lee Ashbolt missed the chance to move into second after a 2-1 defeat in the final.

Castle, who climbed to joint seventh, recently won the region’s junior Triple Crown. The 14-year-old added the Eastleigh and District Under-18 Premier title and the South of England Cuestars under-15 rankings to his Roll-Up success. But a handicap cut at the start of this 20-week series had halted the run.

Dad Derek said: “It’s been a long season and he’s won so much, it’s been difficult to keep the standard up.”

Ollie Tydeman had a first session with Stubbington-based coach Derek Clark during the week and fired in a new high break of 83 in a 3-0 Plate semis victory over Craig Wilson (Romsey).

Dan Hildyard (Fair Oak) remains second behind rankings leader Shane Castle, 9. The 16-year-old lost 2-1 in the Plate semis to brother Jason, 14, who rattled in breaks of 40 and 31.

Shane Castle recorded a 39 but lost 3-2 to Hyom, 17. Alex Dunkley (Bursledon) scored a 59 in a 3-1 defeat by Arron McIntyre. Sainsbury, 14, beat McIntyre (Hiltingbury) 3-2 with a 45 in the last eight.

Picture: Kevin Legg