Castle eyes coach’s record

The Marchwood teenager’s 4-3 victory over Mike Finn avenged his Southampton Town Championship final defeat.

Still two months shy of his 20th birthday, Castle has time on his hands to catch his coach Ken Jones, who lifted the Ray Cannon Trophy a record five times.

It took just 66 minutes for the Churchills pair to slug out the seven frames at their home club in Eastleigh.

While Finn, unhappy with the table, came close to pressing the self-destruct button, Castle rallied from 3-2 down to force a decider.

And he secured the 41st Winchester City & District Snooker League scratch singles final with a 62 break.

“It’s nice to get one over him,” he smiled. “I knew if I got a chance I was going in for the kill. Luckily enough, I got a chance. I played a good pink to split four reds and they landed perfect.”

Castle, who took a 2-1 lead with runs of 46 and 37, broke down on 29 in the fourth frame.

Finn, 26, visibly annoyed with the table, regrouped and pieced together a 41 clearance to the pink for 2-2.

This seemed to raise the three-time champion’s spirits a notch and a 47 break made it 3-2.

Castle, leading by just 28 points with the reds scattered, was gifted the sixth frame when Finn conceded after missing a black off its spot.

“That’s our match-table and I think the cushions have gone,” said Castle after compiling his match-winning run. “Once I missed a couple and Mike missed a couple, it got into our heads.

“I was looking forward to playing him but, nevertheless, a win’s a win.

“I’ve looked down the trophy. There’s some good names on it. It’s nice to be part of it.”

Castle also won the title in 2009 and 2010 but didn’t enter last year.

Frame scores (breaks), Castle first: 71(46)-11, 57-59, 65(37)-26, 26-61(41), 6-61(47), 38(38)-10, 62(62)-25. Referee: Mark McLean.