Jimmy White has tipped 15-year-old Ryan Clark to become a big star after being beaten by the European junior champion in an exhibition match in Hartlepool.

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White broke off in the one-frame contest, but that was the only shot he took, as local boy Clark produced a break of 86 to defeat the six-time World Championship finalist.

"Ryan was fantastic. To get an 80 break in front of all these people was fabulous," White was quoted as saying in the Hartlepool Mail.

"I watched him on Junior Pot Black and he did great at the European Juniors.

"(He's) a fantastic player - he's got a good cue action and I wish him all the best in his career."

As well as being a top snooker prospect, Clark has also proved to be an exceptionally gifted billiards player.

Earlier this month Clarke became only the second person to lift both the English Under-16 and Under-19 billiards titles on the same day, matching Robin Wilson's achievement back in 1997.