Shane and Jordan shine in North Wales

And two England internationals reached the quarter-finals of the week-long Lt Col Walter Rowley OBE Junior Star of the Future festival at Pontin’s Prestatyn Sands Holiday Centre, North Wales.

In the under-15s, Shane Castle’s bid for a third straight Pontin’s title was ended by the eventual champion, Ross Muir.

Northern raider Muir, 14, the Scottish under-16 number one and the 2009 Junior Pot Black champion, triumphed 3-1 after Castle took the first frame with a 48.

It was only Castle’s second defeat in 51 matches over the past four years in this competition.

Under the cosh in the previous round after leading 2-0 and by 40 points with seven reds left, the 12-year-old from Chandler’s Ford SC produced a moment of sheer brilliance in a fifth-frame decider against Jack Trueman (Birmingham).

Snookered on the last red and needing a clearance, he swerved the cue-ball, potted the red and cleared the colours.

Castle’s coach Dave Mumford said he was “proud” of the two-time under-12 champion and vowed: “He’ll come back keener and stronger next year.”

Castle’s 102 break in the group stages against England Ladies international Hannah Jones, 13, was his first century on pro-standard tables and a ninth in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Castle’s club-mate Jordan Winbourne, who celebrated his 14th birthday on day one of the tournament, was the only player to take frames off Castle in the group stages.

The good friends had identical unbeaten records in the group stages.

Winbourne’s strength of character and battling qualities were typified by his 3-0 last-16 victory over William Lemons (Sheffield).

He needed a snooker in the first frame, and an 18 clearance and a re-spotted black in the second.

However, in the battle for south coast supremacy against Adam Bobat (Fareham), Winbourne lost 3-1 after clever snookering by the former Cuestars member in the last frame.

After four days of round-robin matches in two age groups, qualifiers competed in a straight knockout for £6,500 in prize money and sponsorship on offer from Pontin’s.

Non-qualifiers, including Stephen Hendry’s son Blaine and Steve Davis’ son Greg, entered the Plate competition.

Billy Castle reached the Plate quarter-finals after finishing sixth in a 14-man ‘group of death’.

The 17-year-old from Cue T’s in Marchwood compiled a 68 in a 2-1 defeat by Alex Taubman (Wales).

Shane Castle (C/Ford): W 10, D 2, L 0.

Jordan Winbourne (C/Ford): W 10, D 2, L 0.

Bouwe Bosma (C/Ford): W 4, D 3, L 3.

Scott Danson (C/Ford): W 4, D 1, L 7.

Ben Courcha (C/Ford): W 0, D 1, L 9.

Ollie Tydeman (C/Ford): W 6, D 5, L 2.

Billy Castle (Cue T’s, Marchwood): W 5, D 5, L 3.

Daniel Woods (C/Ford): W 5, D 4, L 4.

Mark Green (Salisbury): W 8, D 4, L 2.

James Bolton (Salisbury): W 1, D 4, L 8.

U15, last-32: Shane Castle (57, 33) 3-0 James Cahill (Blackpool); Jordan Winbourne (46) 3-0 Paul Clynes (Manchester); Bouwe Bosma 0-3 Josh Boileau (Rep of Ireland).

Last-16: Castle (31) 3-2 Jack Trueman (Birmingham); Winbourne 3-0 William Lemons (Sheffield).

Quarter-finals: Castle (48) 1-3 Russ Muir (Scotland); Winbourne 1-3 Adam Bobat (Fareham).

U21, last-32: Ollie Tydeman (49) 1-3 Michael Leslie (Scotland); Mark Green (Salisbury) 1-3 Mitchell Mann (Birmingham).