Donovan on song on Cuestars debut

A YOUNG potter from Somers Town in London ended a remarkable three weeks by collecting the winner’s trophy on his Cuestars debut.

John Donovan beat Jack Mullen 2-0 in the final of the fourth leg of the Under-21 Bronze Tour at Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon.

The 12-year-old revealed he only entered the event because his World Snooker coach John Woods persuaded him to.

Donovan, who described the day as “fun”, said: “My snooker coach said I’d do well.”

And reflecting on the final in which he recorded runs of 24, 23 and 21, he added: “It was tough but I made a couple of breaks.”

Last month, Donovan, who is based at the Kings Cross Hurricane Room, qualified for the last-16 of the English Under-14 Championship at his first attempt.

“I was surprised because I didn’t think I could do it,” he said.

He now faces a trip to Leeds next May for the knockout stage.

And the following week, he increased his highest break to 33.

Beaten finalist Mullen, 15, from South Croydon, was also making his first Cuestars outing.

Meanwhile, ten-year-old Owen Jenkins (Havant) remains top of the rankings but his lead over Dylan Smith (Tunbridge Wells) has been cut to five points.

Smith beat Jenkins 2-0 in the last-eight but was defeated 2-1 to Mullen in the semi-finals.

Third-placed Thomas Sharp (Portsmouth) lost in the semis for the fourth time this season. He went down 2-0 to Donovan, who topped his round-robin group despite losing to Taylor Elliott (Swindon).

Chandlers Ford Snooker Club hosts the fifth leg of ten on Sunday, January 6.

For more information about the event sponsors, visit www.framessportsbar.co.uk and contact Mr Gold via [email protected] or ring 07930 355677.

BREAKS

Thomas Sharp: 27.
John Donovan: 24, 24, 23, 21, 21.
Harry Wyatt: 20.
Jack Mullen: 20.

BRONZE RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Owen Jenkins (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 2nd, Thomas Sharp (Waterlooville Sports Bar); tied for 3rd, Sam Walter (Mayfair, Gosport), Will Kempson (Salisbury SC), Eddie Mason (Salisbury SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, John Donovan (Hurricane Rooms, Kings Cross); 2nd, Daniel Walter (Mayfair, Gosport); 3rd, Dylan Smith (Victoria SC, Tunbridge Wells); 4th, Taylor Elliott (147 SC, Swindon); 5th, Jaydon Elliott (147 SC, Swindon).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Harry Wyatt (Chandlers Ford SC); 2nd, Jack Mullen (Frames, Coulsdon); 3rd, Katie Griffin (Jesters, Swindon); 4th, George Laxton (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 5th, Freddie Turner (Salisbury SC).

QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Sharp 2-0 Wyatt, Donovan 2-0 Griffin, Smith 2-0 Jenkins, Mullen 2-0 D Walter.

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Mullen 2-1 Smith, Donovan 2-0 Sharp.

FINAL (25/18 points): Donovan 2-0 Mullen.

Picture by Tim Dunkley

From left: John Donovan, Frames owner Tony Thompson, Jack Mullen.

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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)