The student once morest the master. This Thursday, the Crucible Theater will still be able to add a few beautiful lines to its long and rich history. And there is no doubt that these will be able to enrich his legend. Imperturbable for his entry into the running once morest Michael White (10-3), Mark Williams will have to negotiate a new “Welsh derby”, this time more particular, once morest his foal, Jackson Page.
Mark Williams is one of those players who has inspired many young snooker players. But if there is one who can put himself forward as his closest heir, it is Jackson Page himself. Because the two men have forged an alchemy that goes beyond the simple pocketing of red balls and other colored balls.
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A relationship that goes beyond snooker
If twenty-seven years of age separate them, the two Welsh know each other almost by heart. Originally from the same county in Wales, members of the same club, that of Tredegar where they have always had the habit of exchanging and playing together, Page and Williams spend a large part of their time together around the table as in outside the snooker halls.
Already the father of three boys, the member of the “class of 92” has taken the young Jackson Page under his wing for a few years. “It’s gonna be interesting“Williams had fun in a post-match press conference when discussing the upcoming clash with his younger brother.It’s going to be hard because he’s not just a friend, he’s like a ‘fourth son’. He often comes to my house, he is close to my three other boys“, a expliqué “The Welsh Potting Machine”.
Words that obviously resonated with the younger of the two Welshmen. “Of course I’m proud. These are really words that touch me. Besides the fact that we train together, we have dinners, we go golfing, we play cards. We both have a good laugh, it’s been like that for years already.”
The student facing the challenge of overthrowing the master
However, this friendship will be somewhat put away for the time of this round of 16. Mark Williams is not willing to make the slightest gift to his protege, all with class. “I want to ‘explode’ it, there’s no doubt regarding that. However, if I had to lose to someone, I would prefer it to be once morest them. I will do my best, I want to win, but if I lose it will not be a problem at all.”
Just in his twenties, Jackson Page knows that he will not have an easy task, but can count on his good progress in 2021-2022. This season, the young Welshman is gradually showing the full extent of his potential. Beaten by the young Welshman in the first round, Barry Hawkins also welcomed this change. “For his first here, he played very well. Every time I got closer to him in scoring, he gave it back and he didn’t seem under pressure at any point in the game. (…) He looked a lot sharper than me, all credit goes to him.”
Mark told me not to talk to him when we’re seated!
And Jackson Page is determined to play it hard, youth idol and lifelong friend or not. “I feel really confident“, added Page. “It’s gonna be a great time. I will enjoy it no matter what. Mark just told me not to talk to him when we’re sitting (note, between frames)!“Let it be said, this new Welsh derby has enough to keep all its promises.
Mark Williams at the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield in 2022
Credit: Imago
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