Shanes a pocket rocket

CHANDLER’S Ford Snooker Club Under-21 Roll-Up champion Shane Castle declared he wants to be as good as ‘Rocket’ Ronnie O’Sullivan.

Dave Mumford and Shane Castle

The nine-year-old potting sensation from Marchwood, Hampshire, pocketed £200 at the series-11 presentation from coach Dave Mumford after dominating the 20-week handicap series.

Castle, who has a top break of 61, has been making the headlines ever since he burst onto the local snooker scene, aged seven, which has not gone unnoticed by his school, Foxhills in Ashurst.

“My headmaster keeps all the papers,” he said.

Castle has formed a unique partnership with Mumford.

“I want to be as good as Ronnie,” said the budding star. “If I didn’t have a coach I wouldn’t improve. I really look forward to seeing Dave on Sundays. Dave’s helped me with loads of shots.”

During the last year, Castle has made trips to Prestatyn, Birmingham, Rushden and Coalville with dad Jeffery.

“I’m lucky to have my dad driving me around,” he added.

After dishing out £1,000 to the top 15 ranked players, Mumford, 38, had a special word for the ‘Fair Play Award’ winner Craig Wilson, 12, who has won only one frame in 26 matches.

Craig Wilson - Fair Play Award

“It’s dedication like that, that the boys need to recognise,” he said. “There’s an awful lot of talent in the club and that talent has evolved over time. Who’s to say that Craig, in a couple of years, won’t be picking up the £200 winner’s prize if he shows that amount of dedication?

“These boys are very fortunate to have 15 or 20 people to match themselves against every week. They don’t realise how lucky they are. They are inspiring each other to bigger and better things.”

Pictures: Kevin Legg