Allen moves closer to Crucible

World amateur champion Mark Allen took another step towards securing a place in the final stages of the game’s top professional event by recording a 10-3 victory over Justin Astley in Prestatyn.

Allen, the 19-year-old from Co Antrim, moved to within two rounds of the televised phase of the World Championships after a high-quality display which included two century breaks.

Allen is widely regarded as Northern Ireland’s best prospect since the era of Alex Higgins and Dennis Taylor, who both captured the world title at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.

He hit form immediately, winning the opening frame with a break of 93 and taking a 3-1 lead helped by a further run of 87.

Allen pulled away to lead 7-2 at the end of the first session through efforts of 101, 63 and 68 before swiftly wrapping up victory with heavy scoring, highlighted by a 100 in frame 11.

He faces compatriot Patrick Wallace for a place in the final qualifying round, where victory over Devon’s Andy Hicks would make Allen the eighth player from Northern Ireland to compete at the Crucible since the championship moved to Sheffield in 1977.