The two teams representing Malta in the World Championships returned home with satisfactory results after making the last four stage in both the Open and the tournament for U-18 in Blackpool, England.

The senior squad, under the charge of Carmel Cilia, was composed of Chris Tabone, Clayton Attard, Mario Brincat, Johan Attard, Kevin Schembri, Miguel Falzon, Duncan Pisani and Joseph Casha.

They beat the West Indies, Australia, Scotland, Channel Islands, Wales A, Ireland, France and Rest of the World to book a place in the knock-out stages of the tournament.

In the quarter-finals, Malta beat India 11-7 but lost to Wales 11-8 in the semi-finals.

Lyden Debono, Lothar Mallia, Dylan Attard, Scott Muscat, Ryan Falzon, Nicholas Spiteri and Wayne Farrugia played for Malta U-18.

They finished second in their group following victories over Ireland, Channel Islands, Australia and Scotland. In the semi-final clash against Wales, the Maltese lads played at a par with their opponents but lost narrowly 13-12.

England were in a class of their own in Blackpool and won the two titles at stake.

Mallia had an outstanding tournament for Malta U-18 and so did Tabone in the Open. The latter was named 'Best Player' for winning most frames during the first phase of the competition.

Meanwhile, Vincent Degiorgio, the Malta Pool Association secretary general, has been re-elected as World Eight-Ball Pool Federation treasurer for the next two years. Degiorgio also occupies the same post within the European federation.