A RISING star in the snooker world has taken on one of his heroes, Ronnie O’Sullivan, in an exhibition match.

At 14 years old Richard Remelie, a Tarporley High School pupil, was the youngest challenger to take on the snooker legend at the Liverpool Olympia.

Richard said: “I was the first one to play and I was a bit nervous when I went out there. He broke and left me a red which I potted and moved on to the brown.”

From that point on he lost any nervousness. He pinched 25 points from the player Gresford- based former World Champion Dennis Taylor rates as the most talented player to hold a cue.

Richard plays for Liverpool Snooker Academy A team, regularly lining up against players in the under 16 and under 21 category. This is part of the training the academy provides as it works to bring on young players in the region.

Proud dad Kevin, a chef at Tarporley Portal hotel, drives his prodigy to both weekly lessons in Liverpool and league games all over the country.

He said: “We try to go every week and often when we come in the opposition must think they’re on to a winner with all these kids. Then they get a battering.”

Mum Sandra is equally proud: “It’s all he eats sleeps and breathes. He’s so committed and this was great for him.”

Richard admits he has become a minor celebrity at the Royal British Legion club to where he walks each day from his Oathills Road home.

“They are all asking me what it was like. I picked up some points from watching him and the way he hit the ball. He is the best in the world.”