DAD-to-be Billy Castle returned to the English Ranking Series and took the scalp of the first leg winner.

The 2013 Town Champion beat Chris Bryant 4-0, Connor Rollo 4-2 and Scotland international Eden Sharav 4-3 from 2-0 and 3-2 down at Woking Snooker Centre.

Sharav had won the previous event in Walsall.

Essex lad Sydney Wilson knocked Castle out 4-1 in the quarter-finals.

“I was really happy to beat (Sharav), knowing the form he’s in,” said former England international Castle. “(Wilson) played well but that Eden match took it out of me.”

Away from the green baize, the 22-year-old is preparing for fatherhood. He married girlfriend Betsie in June and the pair are expecting a baby next May.

“It’s all very exciting and it’ll be the best thing that’s happened to me,” he declared.

Castle, originally from Marchwood, is now living near Reading and practising at The Crucible Sports & Social Club in Newbury.