Watch: Malta secure World Blackball doubles titles in U-15 and Masters category

Malta secured two titles at the Blackball World Championships that are currently being held this week.

Jake Castaldi and Dielyn Edwards secured the title in the U-15 category, while Christ Mills and Jesmond Schembri were crowned world champions in the Masters Category.

Castaldi and Edwards’ title run mirrored the Maltese duo’s grit and determination to succeed after battling their way to the world crown.

The Maltese duo reached the quarter-final stage after winning a tense decider against Welsh duo Freddie Winks-Jones and Alfie McDonagh to progress 4-3.

In the last eight, Castaldi and Edwards were up against Australian duo Liam Nolan and Nick Fahey and motored their way into the semi-finals with a 4-2 victory.

In the semi-finals, Castaldi and Edwards needed all their resolve to fend off the challenge of Irish duo Jack Hull and Jude Dalrymple 5-4.

The Maltese young duo were up against another Irish pairing in the final when they faced Marcel Kusa and Riley Patterson, of Northern Ireland.

The Maltese held the lead for much of the match but Kusa and Patterson always managed to stay in the hunt.

But in the end, Castaldi and Edwards kept their composure to win a tense decider and lift the trophy following a 6-5 win.

In the Masters category, Schembri and Mills powered past Oscar Gracian and Andrew John Hughes 4-2 to reach the quarter-finals.

Schembri and Mills then breezed into the semi-finals with a 4-2 win over Northern Ireland duo Aaron Farr and Stephen McLaughlin.

Mills and Schembri displayed all their trickery on the table to overcome the challenge of Welsh duo Todd Davies and Darren James 5-2.

In the final, the Maltese duo needed all their experience against English duo Martin Hazell and Grame Witton as spurred by the home support they came from behind to secure a thrilling 6-5 victory and lift the title.

Malta can achieve more title success today as Lydan Debono and Castaldi both moed into the singles final in their respective category.

In the seniors category Debono was at his best when he overcame the challenge of English player Dan Harris 9-5.

On Sunday, Debono will be up against another English player Dean Shields, who had eliminated Johan Castaldi 8-6 in the quarter-finals.

On the other hand, Jake Castaldi powered into the U-15 final when he overcame the challenge of Northern Ireland’s Jack Hull 6-1.

The Maltese player will be up against Cohen Bradford who reached the final after defeating Marcel Kusa 6-4.