Traffic accident snookers Jimmy

The 15-year-old Q-Ball and O'Sullivans star was travelling to Woking to compete for a quarter-final place in the National under 18s Snooker Championship when a horse box overturned on the road, causing a two hour delay.

Robertson's father Brian said: "The rules state that for every 10 minutes a player is late, a frame is conceded and we were disqualified 20 minutes before we got there.

"More frustrating was Jimmy's opponent who had no match for another three hours but preferred to take the bye rather than play, which isn't very sporting in my opinion."

Jimmy, had already won two matches of the competition, but he missed out on a chance to represent England in the IBSF World and European under 21s Championship.

He said: "I was totally gutted after all the hard work I've put in to prepare for it. It was the biggest event of the year for me, but these things happen and I'm just glad that nobody was hurt in the accident. I'm disappointed but there's always next year."

Fortunately Robertson has already booked a place in the Junior World Qualifiers in May. If successful he will be on the main tour with top players like Stephen Hendry, Jimmy White and Ronnie O'Sullivan.