New Cue Works Wonders for Young Trump
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Judd Trump (England) recently lost his favourite cue - but it could prove a blessing in disguise for the prodigious potter.
Since his former piece of timber went walkabout during a practice session at Keynsham Snooker Centre, Trump hasn't looked back.
Just over a week later the 16-year-old Bristol starlet defeated Ryan Day (Wales) in the final of the second Pontin's Pro-Am event at Prestatyn.
Last weekend Trump was on song again, beating Day once more on the way to a second successive Pontin's triumph.
Michael Holt (England), the world No 21, took the opening frame of the final before losing the next four.
"I can pretty much use any cue," explained Trump, who doesn't celebrate his 17th birthday until August. "But when my old one went missing I was a bit upset.
"I'd been practising on my table at Keynsham and went away to get some dinner. When I got back it had gone and I haven't seen it since.
"I'd had the old one for about two years but with the new one I feel like I'm playing better than ever."
Certainly a succession of players failed to get the better of the game's youngest professional at the North Wales venue.
And his recent successes bode well for his second term in the paid ranks next season.
Trump certainly found it a steep learning curve last season, especially after the hype surrounding his amateur career.
He did make one final venue - at the 2006 Welsh Open in Newport - and came within one frame of a trip to the China Open, losing 5-4 to Holt in the last qualifying round.
"I learned a lot last season," admitted the youngest player to make a competitive maximum break.
"My safety has been a lot better and that's helped me create more chances to score."
Against Holt, Trump knocked in runs of 55 and 71 to claim a second successive £1000 first prize.
As a result of his Pontin's victory, Trump sweeps to the top of the series ranking list with 3,400 points. Stoke's Jamie Cope (England), who made the highest break of the weekend - 132 -is in second place.
The top 64 qualify for a Grand Finals weekend in September.
It's been a successful time recently for the Trump boys. Judd's younger brother, Jack, won the English Under 15 title with a 5-4 success against Mitchell Mann.
In doing so he emulated the achievement of Judd who also bagged the English Under 13 and Under 15 crowns.
Judd is expected to be a future World Champion, and losing his cue could be the start of his rise up the rankings. Snooker has other young blood coming through, with Mark Allen (Northern Ireland), Jamie Cope (England) and even his brother, who is turning professional in the next couple of seasons.
The future of snooker certainly looks strong.
Source
- www.worldsnooker.com
Date
Thu 06/15/06, 4:44 am EST
