Welsh paint Malta Red
Jak Jones, aged 16 from Cwmbran, was crowned 2010 European Under 19 Champion after an enthralling 6-4 victory over Scotland’s Anthony McGill
There was never more than a frame between the two teenager until Jones drew clear at 5-4 with a run of 64 and clinched the next frame with two scoring visits.
Earlier in the match Jones came from 58 behind to steal the third frame on the black with a 56 clearance and he repeated the feat in the fifth frame.
McGill opened with a break of 64 to lead 70 but the unfazed Jones stepped in with a mature 73 clearance to take the frame on the black.
McGill bounced back with 73 in the sixth to level the scores and after the next two were shared before Jones mounted his run to the line.
Jones first started playing snooker aged 11, in Darren Morgan’s Red Triangle Club, where Morgan supported the youngster with practice facilities and advice.
More recently he has moved to play at the Tredegar Snooker Centre, recently opened by Mark Williams and Simon Griffiths. Williams regularly practices with Jones and the teenager agrees that it has helped his game a lot to play and learn from Mark.
Williams took time before beating John Higgins in the China Open to send Good Luck Messages to Jak.
Jones made his debut on the PIOS at the start of 2009-10 season and surpassed his and everyone’s expectations by reaching two semi finals and a final and he currently stands at Number 8 on the PIOS rankings, with two events to be played.
After his victory Jones was naturally delighted. “When I came out here I thought I had the ability to win, but I didn’t really expect to, with so many good players here.
“Today every time I got ahead I was trying to get two frames up, but I couldn’t, Anthony kept coming back at me. He played really well but I think I just potted a couple of outrageous balls at vital times to get in.
“Also I stole two frames with clearances from a long way behind.
“I learned a lot this season from the PIOS. Before I would never have believed I could win a frame from 70 behind.
“I didn’t expect anything when I went on the PIOS as I was just coming straight from Welsh Junior Snooker. It was a lot of money for my family to find for me to play and I’m really grateful to them for giving me the chance.
“To be nominated to turn professional is just unbelievable. To go from the Welsh Juniors to the Professional Ranks is a fairy tale.
"If I’m accepted I won’t have any expectations at all, I will just be going for the experience and see what happens.”
Jones’ success rounded off a fabulous day for the Welsh.
In the morning defending Masters Champions, Darren Morgan and Phil Williams, trounced Malta 7-0 in the Masters final.
This was followed by the Welsh Mens’ team comprising Jamie Jones, Andrew Pagett and Rhydian Richards beating Scotland 10-6 to take the Men’s title.
In the semi final the Welsh team had beaten their team mates, the defending champions – Peter Roscoe, Elfed Evans and Lee Walker, 10-8 in a gripping semi final.
Scotland came through a late night nail biter against Germany, winning 10-9 in a final frame shoot out, on the black.
Germany beat France 5-1 to claim the Ladies title.
