CWMBRAN'S Jak Jones looks to continue his dream debut at the World Snooker Championship as he battles Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen for a place in the last four.

Jones put in impressive displays in his first two matches to reach the quarter-final stage.

After defeating two-time Crucible finalist Ali Carter in the first round, he backed that up by dispatching one of the tournament favourites, Neil Robertson. Jones overcame the Australian ace 13-7 and fired in three century breaks along the way.

Those two performances were not lost on the man who introduced him to the sport, Darren Morgan.

Morgan has known about Jones’ talent for a long time and the former world number eight and Crucible semi-finalist believes his former charge has the game to win a world championship, based on his first two matches.

Their first interaction was in Corfu and it came purely by chance, 20 years ago. Morgan was there for his honeymoon when he noticed a young Jones playing pool.

Morgan was immediately taken aback by Jones’ ability and invited him to play at his club in Cross Keys, the Red Triangle.

After three months, Morgan offered Jones a sponsorship and would go on to look after him for three years.

“He came to the club every single day and he would spend a good five or six hours there," said Morgan.

"I knew instantly that he could be very good. His talent stood out."

Despite Jones’ impressive showing at the World Championship, his career was slow to take off as he dropped off the tour on several occasions.

At the age of 29, things seem to be clicking into gear and Morgan had no doubt that Jones would eventually realise his potential.

"He’s always had the tools, he’s always had the talent, he’s always looked very classy," he said. "Maybe it’s taken him until now to actually start believing in himself.”

Now Jones has returned to the Red Triangle Club after spending a few years at the Ding Junhui Academy in Sheffield.

He is the last remaining Welshman in the World Championship after Ryan Day and Mark Williams lost in the first and second round respectively.

After taking the scalps of Carter and Robertson, another stiff challenge awaits in the world number three, Mark Allen.

If he does secure victory then he would become the first debutant to reach the semi-finals since Gary Wilson in 2017.