CUEMAN Danny Tallentire is celebrating his first-ever spot in the England men’s pool squad and his international nod has been made all the sweeter after pal Daniel Winfield also clinched a call-up.

Tallentire, 21, and Winfield, 19, who are both from Trowbridge, are both in line to represent England in this year’s Nations Cup tournament after earning their international berths at trials at Riley’s Pool and Snooker Club in Reading last month.

Tallentire, who works as a shop assistant, has only played pool competitively for two years after growing up playing snooker and is thrilled to have made it into the England fold.

“I always used to play snooker before I took up pool a few years ago.

“I tried to get in the England U23s last year and missed out by one frame but now I’m in the senior squad,” said Tallentire, who like his friend Winfield, plays as an amateur on the IPA (International Professional Pool Players Association) tour.

“To get to the trials, you have to play for your county and then get through regional trials.

“The England trials were pretty tense and you had to play a lot of frames because there were about 33 players there, but it went really well.

“It’s absolutely massive. I’ve had to travel around a lot to make sure I got there but I’m really happy I did.

“It’s also great that my mate has got in there too.”

Fellow England new boy Winfield, who also plays alongside Tallentire in the Wiltshire men’s ’ squad, thinks his decision to encourage his friend to step away from snooker and pick up a pool cue has been vindicated.

Winfield said: “I had to be quite harsh and tell him that he wasn’t going anywhere in snooker and that he should try pool.

“I guess I’ve been proved right.

“I’ve played for England U16s, U18s and U23s and now I’ve got into the men’s side.

“In 2010, I became a singles and doubles champion at U16 level.

“This is a massive step forward but to do it with a mate is special – if just one of us had qualified, it would have been a bit difficult.”

  • THE Trowbridge & District Pool League’s annual meeting will take place on Monday, June 23 at the Wesley Road Club (8pm).

Details at trowbridgepoolleague.org.uk.

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