Billy Castle reveals secret to Fantasy League success

WHAT spurred on Judd Trump to deliver such a devasting performance against John Higgins in the World Championship final?

What motivated Neil Robinson in the China Open?

What inspired Jack Lisowski to reach two rankings finals this season?

The answer may be to help their professional colleague Billy Castle collect £100 for winning the Cuestars Fantasy Snooker League. Or, of course, it may not. We shall never know.

“But as they say,” said Billy. “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know in the game.”

Billy’s dream team – which, yes, included himself – romped to first place by a margin of more than £200,000.

It was helped somewhat by Judd pocketing half a million quid for winning the World Championship and Neil collecting £225,000 in the China Open.

“I didn’t take it seriously until China and the Worlds when I knew I had a chance of winning it,” added Billy.

James Slade was runner-up and fellow Bronze Tour player Taylor Elliott was third. Defending champion Steven Hughes was 37th.

This writer’s bid to finish bottom of the 79 teams was thwarted by Poole-based Terry Harbord. Drat! Never mind. There is always next year.

Billy heads to Wigan this weekend in a bid to regain his professional tour card via Q School.

A former Cuestars junior, Billy won a Q School place for topping the Championship Tour rankings in 2016/17. The rest, as they say, is history. He has spent the last two years travelling the world and rubbing shoulders with the stars of the game. And living the dream.

A new fantasy league for Cuestars members starts soon. It’s free to enter. All you have to do is pick one player from each of six groups.

Picture by Tim Dunkley

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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)