EPSB Q&A | Ryan Davies

Teenager Ryan Davies has been one of the biggest stars during this season’s EPSB campaign, so far. The promising cueist has won an incredible seven EPSB Open Series events – five more than anyone else – and is well clear at the top of the overall rankings. Last weekend, he also qualified for the last 8 of the 2022 English Under-21 Snooker Championship and earlier this month reached the last 16 of a Q Tour event in Wales.

Davies already has a seriously impressive snooker CV. He is a former English national under-14, 16 and 18 snooker champion and in 2018/19 finished top of the rankings on the national Under-21 Premier Tour. He has also played for his country and been part of a winning Home Internationals team.

The Oldham resident has also made a splash in professional events as an invited amateur because of his performances at national junior level. During the 2018/19 season – as a 16-year-old – Davies reached the last 64 of the Paul Hunter Classic in Germany and later in the term defeated Robbie Williams, Ben Mertens and Sunny Akani to make the last 16 of the Snooker Shootout in front of the live television cameras. Later in 2019 as an EPSB nomination, he eliminated Peifan Lei to appear in the last 64 of the English Open.

We caught up with Ryan and asked him a few questions about his career to date and his hopes for the future…

Hello Ryan. When did you start playing snooker and how?

RD: I started playing when I was eight-years-old. My dad would take me to the club. I also had a small table at my house which I would play on.

Do you have a regular practice base and practice partners?

RD: I play at Savanna’s in Whitefield. Players I practice with are Josh Cooper, Josh Thomond, Ian Martin, Alex Millington and Craig Steadman.

Do you have a coach and any sponsors?

RD: I’ve been working with John Farnworth for the past two years who has helped make my game much stronger technically and mentally.

Patriot Sofas have helped me this season and I’d like to thank them for all their support.

Do you have any heroes in the sport that you look up to, or try to imitate their game/style?

RD: I would say that I have a similar style to players like Judd Trump and Jack Lisowski.

What are your proudest moments in the sport so far?

RD: Reaching the last 16 of the Snooker Shootout felt great, as did my national under 14, 16 and 18 championships and my under-21 premier tour win.

Your brother Aaron is a professional pool player and former national billiards champion – was/is he a big inspiration growing up? Do other members of your family play?

RD: Yes, my brother and also my dad were a big help for me growing up. My dad would take me everywhere. I also used to practice a lot with my brother. My dad was the reason both me and Aaron started playing as he has played most of his life.

How tough has it been over the past couple of years with the amateur side of the sport having to shut down for long periods?

RD: The last few years haven’t been easy with covid. Lockdown meant I couldn’t play for months and it was hard to get back into the flow of things as there were few tournaments to practice for when things initially opened up.

You have had so much success this season already – have you done anything different in recent times to prepare for events?

RD: I’ve definitely been a lot more confident this year. I’ve worked a lot on the mental side of the game which has helped me to become more consistent.

What do you think about the EPSB Open Series concept and the potential it has for the future?

RD: The EPSB Open Series has been a great addition to the calendar as you have tournaments every week which has sharpened my game and helped me become more confident.

Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of snooker?

RD: As hobbies I enjoy watching the football and the darts.

What are your short and long term aims in snooker?

RD: In the short term I hope to turn professional next year. My longer term aims include winning ranking events and to become world champion.

The EPSB would like to thank Ryan for taking time out to talk to us.