CLAYTON WARNS ENGLAND AFTER WALES HOLD OFF USA FIGHTBACK

JONNY CLAYTON warned England that a lack of match practice could leave them vulnerable to a World Cup upset tonight.

The Ferret and Nick Kenny marched into the quarter-finals with an 8-5 victory over the USA and now stand one win away from a potential showdown with Luke Littler and Luke Humphries.

But the world No5 believes England’s shock exit at the hands of Germany last year proves there are no guarantees in the pairs event.

Wales survived a scare of their own to reach the last eight after letting a 6-2 lead over Stowe Buntz and Adam Sevada slip to 6-5 before finally seeing off the Americans.

Clayton starred with two brilliant 141 checkouts as the Welsh duo averaged 89.32 to get the job done.

Afterwards, Clayton admitted neither player had been at their best.

He said: “I think we were both a bit nervous to be honest. It is always hard and tough on the stage.

“We got a comfortable lead and we didn’t take it on further.

“I was thinking right we are in trouble here but thank god we found something and got that job done.

“I take the outshots he can hit the 180s.”

Asked about the prospect of facing England next, Clayton suggested Spain could spring a surprise.

He said: “Spain have had a warm up. England have not, who knows?

“They didn’t perform last year England. It is going to be tough.

“It is their first game on stage and Spain are playing well.”

Kenny added: “Jonny was absolutely fantastic again. I really struggled to start with.

“I was trying my best. I felt great but they weren’t going in and then midway through the first session they started going in.

“A couple of 180s got my confidence up. I hit the D16 and D10.

“But they were coming back at us and I was like oh no.”