Snooker:
Wakelin impresses to reach last eight

RUGBY snooker ace Chris Wakelin recorded what he described as the ‘best win of his career so far’ at the weekend on his way to reaching the quarter-finals of World Snooker’s PTC 6, the Kay Suzanne Memorial Cup.

The 21-year-old fought back from 3-2 down to overcome world number 15 Mark Davis in the fifth round of the Gloucester event before eventually losing to world number four Judd Trump at the last eight stage.

Speaking about his victory against Davis, Wakelin said: “To beat such a fierce opponent 4-3 from 3-2 down was a massive confidence boost and is the best win of my career so far.

“It certainly helped me to beat the very experienced Mike Dunn and then Michael Holt in the last 16.”

Wakelin held his nerve superbly to compile a 75 break in the final frame of his opening contest against Liam Highfield, which secured a 4-3 success.

A century break in the sixth frame of his clash with Davis helped him to victory there before he overcame Dunn in another final frame decider.

Breaks of 56 and 90 helped him overcome Holt 4-2 before finally falling to defeat when going down 4-2 against eventual runner-up Trump, Mark Allen being the man to lift the trophy.

“I did not feel outclassed or overawed against Judd in any way,” Wakelin said. “I played well but he deserved to win in the end.

“I’ve been putting so much effort in during the last few months and trying 100 per cent in every match.

“To win three final frame deciders in my first three matches shows that I can deal with the intense pressure of playing top level snooker against the best players in the world.

“To be able to compete and even beat these players makes me feel like I am making real progress in my career as a professional snooker player.”

Wakelin is back in action this weekend when facing Jamie Cope in his opening contest in PTC7 whilst later in the month he will line up as one of 128 hopefuls trying to get their hands on the UK Championship trophy which will take place in York.

With the majority of the tournament being screened on the BBC it is a great chance for Wakelin to put himself firmly in the spotlight if he can come through his first round contest with Wales’ Ryan Day on November 27.

If you would like to sponsor Chris for the UK Championship, you can contact him by emailing .

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