Nine-year-old pots 56 break

Jamie Wilson, who is based at Chandler’s Ford SC, wrapped up a 4-1 victory over his dad, Steve, with his first half-century in a practice match at Copnor SC, near their home in Portsmouth.

Castle made a 55 in a practice match in February, 2007, just after his ninth birthday, and was coached and mentored by Mumford for more than five years.

This year, the 14-year-old was crowned English Under-14 and Under-16 champion in a remarkable weekend in Sheffield. And the England international from Marchwood came within one win of becoming the youngest ever professional after losing in the European Under-21 final in Bulgaria.

But Mumford (pictured with Wilson) declared: “I want Jamie to be the first Jamie Wilson; I don’t want him to be the second Shane Castle.”

And the 44-year-old from Chandler’s Ford added: “Jamie’s put an awful lot of work into his technique, his cue action and his pre-shot routine.

“A lot of kids want instant results and sometimes it doesn’t happen that way. Having been down this road before, I know what is needed. There are certain stages of progress you have to go through.

“Sometimes in those stages, you can get to question player and coach whether it’s working or whether it’s going to be worthwhile.

“But it’s days like today that make me understand that what we believe in as coaches is absolutely fundamental: get the basics right and then success will follow – if you have the ability.

“And Jamie’s got the ability.”

In October, Mickey Joyce, also nine, posted a 51 break in a practice match and last month 11-year-old Luke Beebe compiled a 35 on his debut in the Winchester City & District Snooker League

Beebe, who was only introduced to full-sized tables 14 months ago, has been working with World Snooker coach Tim Dunkley since February.

Mumford said: “Every kid in this (Chandler’s Ford) club is going to be associated with Shane in some way, shape or form because of the success that he’s had.

“There are some good individuals at this snooker club – not just Jamie – and they’ve all got to make their own way. Shane has set the standard.”