Gold winner Thomson fancies Turkey in March

WILLIAM Thomson is hoping to spend this prize money in Turkey.

The 12-year-old from Chandler’s Ford collected his second winner’s trophy on the Cuestars Under-21 Gold Tour at Salisbury Snooker Club.

He put together a 58 break in the first frame of his 2-0 victory over his England junior billiards teammate Riley Ellis (Swindon) in the final of the fourth leg.

“It was good,” he said. “I played well.”

The £100 prize money may come in handy if Thomson – who is currently ranked ninth on the English Junior Tour, the national under-21 circuit – qualifies for next March’s European Championships at the not-too-shabby 5 Star Pine Beach Belek resort on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea.

Explaining his recent good form, Thomson said: “I’m practising harder, playing every day and trying to play the right shots.”

Earlier, Ellis knocked out Oliver Sykes (Chandler’s Ford), the country’s number-one ranked under-21 player, 2-0 in the last-four.

William Hurley (Rayleigh) has now made the semi-finals in the last two events he has entered.

Will Forster (Whiteley), who didn’t make the trip to Wiltshire, remains top of the rankings. Ellis and Thomson are joint third behind O’Shay Scott (Eastleigh). Only six points separate the top seven.

Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon, hosts the fifth leg of ten on Sunday, January 5.

BREAKS

Oliver Sykes: 91.
William Thomson: 58, 45.
William Hurley: 56.
Asten Sahota: 52.

GOLD RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP: 1st, William Thomson (Chandlers Ford SC); 2nd, Riley Ellis (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Donnie Gola (Mildmay Club); 4th, Ryan Spratt (Chandlers Ford SC); 5th, Dylan Beer (Salisbury SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Oliver Sykes (Chandlers Ford SC); 2nd, William Hurley (Lanes Sports Bar, Rayleigh); 3rd, Asten Sahota (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, John Donovan (Hurricane Room, Colindale); 5th, Zain Jeraj (London Snooker, Tooting).

SEMI-FINALS: (15 points): Thomson 2-0 Hurley, Ellis 2-0 Sykes.

FINAL (£100/£25, 25/18 points): Thomson 2-0 Ellis.