Riley Powell made an amazing start to his first ever Shoot Out (Picture: Eurosport)
Kyren Wilson was one of the pre-tournament favourites at the Snooker Shoot Out, but he has fallen at the first hurdle, beaten by 14-year-old Riley Powell.
The Welsh teenager was making his debut in the one-frame tournament and looked in trouble against the world number 8 when he was 31-0 down with less than five minutes to go in the 10-minute match.
However, he showed amazing composure, and produced some fine pots, to stun the reigning European Masters champion and progress with a 41-31 win.
‘First thing I went out there to do was just enjoy it, coming out of there with a win…I’ve got no words to say, to be honest with you,’ Powell told Eurosport.
The youngster plays at Mark Williams’ club in Tredegar, working with coach Lee Walker, who he credited after the amazing win.
‘Lee Walker is a massive help,’ he said. ‘SightRight has helped me a lot. As long as you’re lined up in the middle of the shot you can’t really miss it, unless you throw a quick one in.’
Asked how three-time world champion Williams helps, he added: ‘He gives me some abuse now and again, but he’s a good help as well.’
Wilson was certainly impressed by the prospect who has already won the Welsh Under-18 Championship.
‘Every credit to him, he’s potted a couple of cracking long balls,’ said the Warrior. ‘I thought I’d, not done enough, but tried to use experience and not take on too many risks.
‘Every credit to Riley, he produced some really good snooker there.
‘It’s good to see. We need some new youngsters coming through, this is a fantastic platform to showcase your abilities, hopefully he goes on and does really well.’
Asked before the game about hearing he was going to be playing on TV in the Shoot Out he said: ‘We was down the snooker hall, Mark was down there and Jackson [Page], I said: “Look at this I’m in the Shoot Out!”
‘I ran straight up to my mum and told her. I was just excited every day then.’
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What a debut!
