Minster teenager James Goldsmith has earned a place in the 16-player England under-18 pool squad. The reigning Kent junior champion now faces a final internal trial which will decide the six players who will represent the England team and also compete in the under-18 World Championships.
The top 64 under-18s in the country competed against each other in Leicester during the England trials, with a ‘Swiss Style’ format which gave each player three lives, with the hope of whittling down the best 16 players by the end of the day.
From his first five matches, Goldsmith, 16, won three and lost two, meaning he couldn’t afford to lose again. He won his sixth match to maintain his hopes before winning twice more during the second phase.
In the third and final phase, Goldsmith met a player from Cornwall and a 3-0 victory secured his place in the 16 to ensure he claimed his place as an England international.