IN THE eighth of the series of Supa Snooker 16-and-under ranking events held at the Wallsend venue, Battle Hill’s Craig Campbell came out on top after seeing off the challenge of last week’s Consett victor Jordan Watson. Having pulled back his 28 points-a-frame deficit, Watson’s hopes of registering back-to-back wins got off to a promising start after sewing up the opener 78-42 with small runs of 14-16 20. Campbell bounced back to level the scores by winning the scrappy second set 57-31 but then lost the next 72-55 to small breaks of 15-17 and an 18 clearance to fall 2-1 behind. After seeing the lead change hands on several occasions, a black ball game in the fourth eventually went to Campbell 82-69, who then went on to win the close-fought final frame shootout 78-68 to celebrate his first success in the series. While Campbell was dishing up a clear-cut 2-0 semi-final win over his good friend Matty Hewitt, Watson was overcoming another Wallsend cueman in his semi after registering the same winning scoreline against recent winner Danny Foden. The award for the top break of the day went to Gateshead’s Michael Astley with a well-compiled 46. Players wishing to compete in the next Under-16s event, which kicks off at 12 noon on Saturday at the Stanley venue, must register by no later than 11.30am. A £3 fee covers entry to the handicapped best-of-five frame matches. However, losers up to the semis will be responsible for all table charges. Unfortunately, due to lack of support the following day’s open pro-am events have been cancelled.
SEVERAL local players have been selected in their respective England squad for the forthcoming home international series to be held at Prestatyn Pontins later in the year.
Wallsend’s former World Under-21 champion Gary Wilson is recalled to the men’s team. Hebburn’s former European singles title holder David Lilley and Coxhoe’s ex-professional Michael Rhodes were also selected for the men’s team but neither are able to accept the invitations. In the Under-19s, Gateshead’s national champion John Astley will be joined by Walkerville’s multi-titled Stephen Craigie. The youngest member of the Under-16s squad will probably be Steve’s talented 13-year-old brother Sam, holder of the National Under-14s title.
AFTER three events in the 108-strong Pontins Pro-Am series, Gary Wilson heads the region’s four challengers in 35th place with 800 points. A further 200 points adrift in joint 46th come Mark Livingstone and Stephen Craigie, followed by first-time entrant Paul McHugh, who is 69th with 350 points.
There's top class opposition in the first rounds of event four for both Wilson and Craigie. While Wilson is entertaining the former world professional Shaun Murphy, Craigie will be tackling the in-form Welsh dragon Dominic Date. | 
