Teenage snooker star opens up on friendly "abuse" and help from Mark Williams

26 January 2023 , 17:44

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Riley Powell, aged 14, won his Snooker Shoot Out first round match against No.8 Kyren Wilson (Image: @eurosport/Twitter)

Teenage snooker sensation Riley Powell has spoken about the friendly "abuse" and help that training partner Mark Williams has given him after the 14-year-old introduced himself onto the world stage.

Powell showed composure beyond his years to come back from 30-0 down to beat world No.8 Kyren Wilson 41-31 in the Snooker Shoot Out. The short-form competition sees players compete over just one frame or a 10-minute time limit, whichever comes first.

Welsh under-18 champion Powell has been playing for six years in his home town of Tredegar in Wales and practices at the same club as three-time world champion Williams - who is also competing at the competition.

"Well the first thing I went up there to do was just enjoy it," said Riley speaking Eurosport's Rachel Casey. "Coming out there with a win is just.. I've got no words to say to be honest with you."

Williams, aged 47, is known for his long potting ability and looks to have passed on some of his knowledge to Powell as the youngster played an excellent shot onto a long red despite being against the clock.

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"He gives me some abuse now and again but he's a good help as well," Powell added about his training partner.

Mark Williams practices in the same Tredegar snooker club as 14-year-old sensation Riley Powell (PA)

It wasn't just his experienced opponent that Powell had to worry about after the sound stopped working on the clock - which warns players how long they have remaining on their shot.

However, the youngster was unphased as he booked his place in the second round, when he could face training partner Williams.

"I thought the beeps were going to come," added Powell. "I was looking at the clock. I just played until I saw the red dots."

Teenager Riley Powell received praise from snooker pundit Jimmy White after his Snooker Shoot Out first round win (@eurosport/Twitter)

Eurosport pundit and former world No.2 Jimmy White was also impressed by the youngster's long shots and composure as he beat 2020 world snooker championships beaten finalist Wilson.

White said: "I like the way he plays, he’s a modern-day player who goes for his long shots and two or three of them were quite difficult pots. He was quite clear headed out there, he ran the clock down, and he deserved to win."

Powell is the second 14-year-old to win at this week's Snooker Shoot Out competition after Moldovan starlet Vladislav Gradinari became the youngest player to win a televised match yesterday.

Watch the Shoot Out live and exclusive on discovery+ and Eurosport

Benjamin Goddard