Josh hits back to claim world crown (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Josh hits back to claim world crown

EVESHAM'S Josh Craze is the new World Under-21 Eight-Ball Pool Federation champion.

Happy potter: Newly crowned world champion Josh Craze.

The 17-year-old swept all before him at Blackpool's Imperial Hotel to land the prestigious prize but it took an amazing recovery after he trailed 7-3 in the best of 15-frame final.

Representing Wales, the Evesham College student had to call on all his potting prowess to stage a remarkable revival and defeat England's Karl Sutton eight frames to seven.

The win completed a superb story of success on the green baize as Craze extended his winning sequence at the event that saw him record a series of top-class wins on his way to the title.

Flying the flag of the Welsh Dragon, the teenager was on fire himself as he eased past Ireland's Ronan Fay to book a place in the last 16.

Tougher England's Scott Surridge proved far tougher but Craze reached the quarter-finals after a hard-fought 7-5 triumph.

Fellow Welshman Scott Jones was next up and the Vale youngster was again victorious after a 7-3 margin of success.

Craze then produced some scintillating shots to outgun England's Sam Jeffrey 7-1 in a one-sided semi-final.

Sutton had only the odd frame to spare in his last four thriller but he was back to his best in the final and appeared set to end Craze's championship challenge.

However, the Evesham student stunned his opponent by winning five straight frames to clinch the title much to the delight of his family and friends and Welsh team colleagues.

The new champion first represented Wales, courtesy of dad Glyn being Welsh, as a nine-year-old and last weekend's triumph was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.

He has represented Worcestershire regularly while also enjoying plenty of team and individual success locally - and he will now be the player to beat at all levels after being crowned world champion.

The youngster's hopes of securing a team triumph ended at the semi-final stage when the six-strong Welsh squad lost out to England.