Hat-trick chasing Cowdroy dedicates first win to grandad

THERE was even more motivation than usual behind Bradley Cowdroy’s success in the second leg of the Cuestars Under-21 Gold Snooker Tour in south London.

The 20-year-old from Bournemouth (pictured) beat Surrey-based Ronnie Sullivan 2-0 in the final at Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon.

As well as pocketing £100 in prize money, Cowdroy took over top spot in the rankings in his final season on the junior circuit.

The left-hander, who won the titles in 2017/18 and 2019/20, was spurred on by the twin desires of completing the hat-trick and winning his first trophy of the season for his grandad Bob Farmer who is unwell.

Reflecting on the day, he said: “As is often the case with me, it starts off slow and begins to pick up. If I can make my way through to the knockout stage, I usually get a bit stronger.

“I played some good stuff against Oliver (Sykes in the last-four). I was disappointed with how I played against him in the final at Salisbury (last month).

“There’s going to be a few of us contending for a lot of the tournaments – the likes of Oliver and Mickey (Joyce). It should be a good battle with them all season. I’m looking forward to it.”

Cowdroy, who started working with coach Derek Walker before Q School this year, added: “He definitely knows what he’s taking about and I’ve learnt lots and lots from him.”

Sullivan (Chipstead), the 2017/18 Bronze rankings champion, and Sykes (Chandler’s Ford) both recorded the day’s highest break of 92. William Harrison (Petworth) qualified for the knockout for the first time in the event sponsored by Frames Sports Bar.

Chandlers Ford Snooker Club hosts the third leg of ten on Sunday, November 6.

BREAKS

Oliver Sykes: 92, 75, 50.
Ronnie Sullivan: 92, 47, 45.
Ollie Briffett-Payne: 78.
Evan Plummer: 53.
Bradley Cowdroy: 59, 47.
Mickey Joyce: 51, 40.
William Harrison: 45.

GOLD RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Oliver Sykes (Chandlers Ford SC); 2nd, Ronnie Sullivan (Dunstable Snooker Club); 3rd, Evan Plummer (Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon); 4th, O’Shay Scott (Chandlers Ford SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Mickey Joyce (Academy, Basingstoke); 2nd, Bradley Cowdroy (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 3rd, Ollie Briffett-Payne (Red Triangle, Newport, Wales); 4th, Elliott Johnson (London Snooker Tooting).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, William Harrison (Petworth RBL); 2nd, Riley Ellis (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, John Donovan (Cousins, London); 4th, Will Forster (Waterlooville Sports Bar).

QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Sykes 2-1 Briffett-Payne, Cowdroy 2-0 Ellis, Joyce 2-0 Donovan, Sullivan 2-0 Harrison.

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Cowdroy 2-0 Sykes, Sullivan 2-1 Joyce.

FINAL (£100/£25, 25/18 points): Cowdroy 2-0 Sullivan.