Q School, ERS 8 & Callum’s 52 break

CUESTARS players have been chasing two-year tour cards at Q School this week.

In the first of the two tournaments at the South West Snooker Academy, Gloucester:

Jake Keen, who won the Gold Tour event in Woking last November, was beaten 4-3 by David Maslov in the first round.

Callum Lloyd, the 2011/12 Gold Tour champion, accounted for Louis Heathcote 4-1 before losing 4-1 to Michael Tomlinson.

Shane Castle saw off former professional Adam Duffy 4-2 and Leigh C Davies 4-1 but was done 4-1 by John Sutton, three wins short of a place on the pro circuit.

Ben Harrison went down 4-0 to former Scottish professional Michael Leslie.

The second tournament starts today.

Elsewhere, Billy Castle, who along with Harrison will be guest of honour at Finals Day in Swindon on May 25, was in action in Gloucester in the eighth and final leg of the English Ranking Series.

He pocketed £100 for reaching the semi-finals where he lost 4-1 to the eventual tournament winner Zak Surety, who has already claimed a two-year tour card via the EBSA Qualifying Tour play-off.

And well done to Callum McDonald, the Section champion at Salisbury Snooker Club.

McDonald (pictured above) followed up his success by knocking in a 52 break against Kaine Petty in a practice match.

It was his first half-century. And, in fact, it was the first time he’d been past 30!

Q School in a few years, Callum?

Picture by Tim Dunkley