Pocket money for ace Ryan

SNOOKER: TEENAGE potting sensation Ryan Hickman is already mixing it with the big boys on the local snooker scene.

Ryan (17) is a regular member of the Springbank team which plays in the Oldham Amateur Snooker League on Thursday nights.

His handicap mark is already down to minus 10, despite the high standard of the league, and that will surely be reduced further in years to come.

Having made a break of 140 in practice, Ryan clearly has the talent to go a long way in the game and he underlined that belief by winning the English Snooker and Billiards Association’s under-18 regional tournament at Hendry’s Club in Preston.

As well as picking up a first prize of £100, Ryan qualified for the national finals.

Dad Graham, who plays off minus 25 for the same Springbank team, taught Ryan the game when he first took it up five years ago.

He has since handed the coaching reins to John Farnworth and, if Ryan maintains his current rate of progress, he could soon be on a lower handicap mark than his gifted father.