Olly’s double delight
YOU couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.
Cuestars Bronze Tour player Olly Clark is the first player in Eastleigh & District Junior League history to be crowned champion in both age groups in the same season.
The 13-year-old successfully defended his Under-13 title at a canter from eight-year-old Jamie Wilson (Copnor SC, Portsmouth) but his emotions were put through the wringer in the final few weeks of the Under-18s.
Second-placed Austen Petty had reduced the deficit to one point as League 39 entered its last round of matches.
Clark, who travels up from his Gosport home to Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club every Saturday morning, defeated 13-year-old Petty (Boyatt Wood) and scraped through on the final black against Owen Court and Mike Trigg.
“It’s been brilliant,” declared the relieved teenager, who works with World Snooker coach Tim Dunkley.
“There’s so many good players in the club. No matter who you play against, it’s always going to be a challenge. It’s been hard all the way.
“I’ve played lots of new players and met loads of new people and really enjoyed it.”
Dan Sykes, who recently made his Cuestars debut, won Division 3 in the Under-13s. Spike Hull was crowned Under-18 Division 1 champion.
Next Saturday, a new under-13 league starts at 9am and the under-18s kick off at 11am. Ring 023 8025 4834 for details.
Picture by Kevin Legg