Castle wins again ahead of Q School

FORMER snooker professional Billy Castle boosted his confidence ahead of Q School with another victory on the Cuestars Championship Tour.

The 29-year-old from Reading followed up his success in Havant in February with a winning performance in the sixth leg at The Crucible Sports & Social Club, Newbury.

Castle pocketed £150 in prize money after beating Connor Benzey (Eastleigh) 3-1 in the final of the event sponsored by Reading-based PL Auto Services.

He wrapped up the last frame with a run of 76, which was his eighth half-century break of the day.

Rankings leader Marcos Dayao (Battersea Park) beat home player Neil Winkworth 2-1 in the plate final.

Benzey, another player preparing for Q School, moves into second place.

Sam Storey, who hasn’t competed on the Championship Tour for seven years, made the semi-finals for the first time. The 26-year-old from Newbury was eventually knocked out 3-0 by Benzey.

And Andrew Seymour, also from Newbury, enjoyed his best success on the circuit. He went out 3-1 to Castle in the last-four.

Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon, hosts the sixth leg of seven on Sunday, May 8.

RESULTS (BREAKS)

PRELIMS: Jack Dady 2-3 John Hunter, George Appleby 1-3 Andrew Seymour, Andrew Darken 1-3 (57) Adam Stacey, James Budd 3-0 Liam O’Shea.

LAST-16: John Hunter 2-3 Andrew Seymour, Adam Stacey 2-3 James Budd, Neil Winkworth 2-3 James Hawes, Billy Castle (63) 3-0 Marcos Dayao, Alex Greenham 1-3 Sam Storey, Riley Ellis 2-3 Will Forster, Dan Hall 0-3 (81, 55) Connor Benzey, Peter Chin 0-3 Mickey Joyce.

QUARTER-FINALS: Andrew Seymour 3-2 James Budd, James Hawes 0-3 (80, 50) Billy Castle, Sam Storey 3-0 Will Forster, Connor Benzey 3-1 (60) Mickey Joyce.

SEMI-FINALS (£30): Billy Castle (66, 63, 50) 3-1 Andrew Seymour, Connor Benzey (62) 3-0 Sam Storey.

FINAL (£150/£70): Billy Castle (76, 50) 3-1 Connor Benzey.

PLATE RESULTS (BREAKS)

PRELIM: Jack Dady 1-2 Riley Ellis.

QUARTER-FINALS: Riley Ellis 2-0 George Appleby, Andrew Darken 0-2 Neil Winkworth, Liam O’Shea 0-2 Alex Greenham, Marcos Dayao (55) 2-0 Dan Hall.

SEMI-FINALS: Neil Winkworth 2-0 Riley Ellis, Marcos Dayao 2-0 Alex Greenham.

FINAL (£20): Marcos Dayao 2-1 Neil Winkworth.