Castle: I want to be England’s number one

BILLY Castle is targeting the title of number-one amateur in England after reaching the final of his first snooker tournament since May.

Southampton’s Town Champion (pictured left) was beaten 5-4 by home player Oliver Lines in the first leg of the EASB English Ranking Series at the Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds.

“It was hard work because I’m not match sharp but I managed to dig deep,” said the 21-year-old from Marchwood, who called a foul on himself at 2-1 up and lost that frame.

“I played some good stuff in patches. My safety (play) got me through most matches.”

Castle, sponsored by The Home Agency, pocketed £270 in his first event since claiming the Cuestars South of England Championship.

And he is aiming for a high enough ranking at the end of the eight-leg series to be invited to the IBSF World Championship and the European Championship.

“My target is to be the number-one amateur in the country,” he said.

“There’s some good players in it but if I’m playing my best game…

“I think I’m one of the best players in it. I can do well.”

En route to the final, Castle beat Luke Garland (Birmingham) 4-2, Damian Wilks (London) 4-0, Martin Ball (Sunderland) 4-2 and Nick Jennings (Chandler’s Ford) 4-2.

Picture by Tim Dunkley