LOCAL snooker prodigy Dylan Smith showed the promise he has in store for 2019 by racking up his first century break in practice.
The 11-year-old from Tunbridge Wells sunk 14 reds with 14 blacks on his way to a break of 112 at the Victoria Snooker Centre in Tunbridge Wells.
Co-owner Liam Martin, said: “I’m over the moon for Dylan that his practice century has come just before the start of the new year.
“He’s represented the club in four tournaments in 2018 and I could see he was suffering from a little burn-out due to the pressure involved with competing at a high level.
“So we decided to make his practice routines more simple and achievable. It seems to have paid off and his break-building and positional play has turned a massive corner.”
‘Who knows the future but maybe we were watching a future star and champion of Power Snooker’
Dylan has also been showing just how much he could be a face of the sport’s future as he wowed the crowds at London’s Old Billingsgate Grand Hall in an exhibition of Power Snooker’s ‘power’ play.
The format sees players compete in 30-minute matches based on total points scored, instead of number of frames won.
The game uses nine red balls, which are re-racked at the end of each frame until the half-hour is completed. There is a 20-second clock on each shot.
The quicker tempo might be thought to suit younger players and the exhibition was an attempt to relaunch Power Snooker.
It was on display at a MJAC CryptoCompare event launching the cryptocurrency Power Snooker Coin.
IN THE FRAME: Dylan with (l-r) former world No 2 Tony Knowles, 11-time women’s world champion Reanne Evans and Jason Francis
Power Snooker was televised on ITV4 in 2011 and brought in viewing figures of over 450,000, featuring the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Selby.
Dylan was ideally suited to adapt to the demands of the variant game, having an average shot time of 14 seconds.
The chief executive of Power Snooker Michael Gruber spotted footage of the youngster practising on his Facebook page.
Dylan played against snooker legend Tony Knowles and the 11-time woman’s world champion Rianne Evans.
“We were concerned that Dylan at 11 years of age might be overwhelmed but the lad showed, after a slightly nervous start, solid technique, personality and love for the sport,” said Gruber.
“For one so young, this was hugely impressive and revealed invaluable characteristics of determination, dedication and no little amount of skill.”
He added: “As the owners of Power Snooker we look forward to following Dylan’s progress which, with the added tips given to him by Tony Knowles, may see the lad grow to be an important competitor in the sport.
Costas A Joannou, Chairman of Power Snooker Group, also paid tribute to the tyro of the Tunbridge Wells baize, saying: We were delighted with Dylan’s performance on the day, he clearly has the talent, motivation and attitude to play at the highest level.”
