World singles champion Gareth Potts produced a perfect opening to the 2009 Foster's World 8-Ball Pool Championships in Blackpool last night.
Potts and fellow Stoke potters Adam Davis and Lee Kendall helped England make a successful start to the defence of their team crown.
The 24-year-old left hander, bidding for a fourth individual title this week, won all his three matches as the de
fending champions defeated Ireland 14-7.
Potts had the honour of opening the tournament against Ireland's former European 8-Ball champion Stephen Dempsey.
Dempsey is capable of dethroning Potts but came out second-best in the one-frame shootout.
The Staffordshire star maintained his bright start by getting the better of Robert Mulcahy and Shane O'Hara.
Not to be outdone, current Euro king Davis, matched his team-mate's 100 per cent start.
He overcame O'Hara, Alan McBennett and Mulcahy as the favourites took early charge of the match.
Skipper Lee Kendall also played his part in the opening win.
After losing to Willie Reilly, he bounced back by beating Derek Smith and exciting prospect Dempsey.
It was an encouraging start by the host nation, particularly by for Potts and Davis.
They are seeded through to Friday's last 32 stage of the singles and will benefit from match practice with the team.
Potts said: "It's always good to get an early feel of the table. The individual title is what I'm here for but the team event also means a lot to me. This was a good start for us."
Ireland are the last country to deny England, who have won the team trophy 12 times since the championships started in 1993. This year promises to be a tough defence, with opposition from Australia, France, India, West Indies, South Africa and Malta, as well as Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
But with Wales and the Aussies next-up , Kendall's team will have a clearer idea of their chances.
Wales defeated Malta 11-10 in their first match, while the Aussies went down by the same score to India. Only the top two in the round-robin section are guaranteed a place in the semi-finals.
While England's men made an ideal start, their female counterparts suffered a surprise 11-10 defeat to Wales, while Australia beat Northern Ireland 15-10.
