RADCLIFFE pool star Karl Boyes made a winning international debut at the World 8-Ball Championships in Blackpool on Wednesday evening.

Boyes, at 20, the youngest member of the England side, featured in two of his country's three opening games.

And he didn't let his new teammates down, capturing five of the six available frames against the Isle of Man and Australia.

Boyes will now hope to re-produce that form in the singles competition starting with his first round game against Shane Pillay of South Africa.

"I once played for England Juniors but this was my first time in the senior team," he said.

"However, I know most of the lads from playing against them on the Tour so I wasn't too nervous."

Boyes needs to win three singles matches to have a chance of mixing it with the likes of defending champion Chris Melling, Maltese hot shot Tony Drago and controversial Aussie, Quinten Hann.

"I've beaten the top boys on Tour so I know what to expect," added Boyes, who works as a removals man in Ramsbottom when not potting balls.