Nine-year-old pots first half-century break

Stunned onlookers witnessed young potter Mickey Joyce chalk up a remarkable 51 at The Academy.

It came in a best-of-nine-frame practice match against his dad, Eamon, on the club’s match table.

And Eamon was forced to hand over £20, at least four years earlier than he had planned.

“His highest break up to then was 33,” he explained. “I’ve always said if he beat his high break I’d give him £2.

“And if he ever got to 50, which I didn’t think would happen until he was a teenager, I’d give him £20.”

Mickey, who immediately spent his cash on Lego, said: “My dad was winning 2-0 but then I came back to make it 5-2. In the last frame, I got a 51 break. I had to work for it.”

The youngster admitted his dad had played “good” – at least in the first two frames.

Eamon added: “I was very proud of him. He played very well.”

Mickey was a losing semi-finalist at last month’s Cuestars South of England Under-21 Bronze Tour first leg in Salisbury. He is also the early leader of the Eastleigh & District Under-13 League at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club.