Copnor Cuestars crowned Young Sports Team of the Year
COPNOR Cuestars have been voted Young Sports Team of the Year by readers of the Portsmouth News.
The extraordinary young potters, who currently lead the Portsmouth District Billiards & Snooker Association (PDBSA) Division 4, collected their award from Meridian Tonight anchorman Fred Dinenage at a ceremony at Ferneham Hall, Fareham.
Hard-working and understandably proud section organiser Pascal Richard told cuestars.uk.com that beating under-21 football teams in a public vote was “remarkable”.
Reflecting back to the events of Monday evening, Richard said: “It was a fantastic moment. And seeing the kids up on the stage with Fred Dinenage, all with beaming smiles on their faces, is really what this is all about.
“We didn’t really expect them to win the award when we entered it – not because we didn’t think they deserved it, but because being up against football teams and athletics clubs and boxing clubs and even school teams, we just assumed we wouldn’t win the vote.”
The Copnor Snooker Club Cuestars squad comprises: Dan Compton, 12; Brad Lane, 12; Brad Wrench, 16; Luke Dixon, 16; Ben Tillison, 12; Callum White, 12; Chloe White, 11; Ryan Compton, nine; Jamie Wilson, nine (pictured above); Ashley Smith, 13; Rio Smith, nine, and seven-year-old Sam Laxton, who has already chalked up a top break of 36.
Waiting to be unleashed on unsuspecting members of the PDBSA are: Ashleigh Aslett, 11; Noel Mooney, 16; Harry Mooney, 12, and five-year-old George Laxton.
“I know they are Bronze (Tour) level players in Cuestars, and that in pure snooker terms there might be stronger players around, but to be competing with adults and top of their division is remarkable, said Richard. “Progression to Silver and Gold level is only a matter of time.”
And he sent this warning to Cuestars members across the south: “The Pompey lot are coming for you all!”
Praising the youngsters’ behaviour, Richard added: “What is generally outstanding is their table etiquette. They referee well on the whole and several times this season have been quick to call fouls on themselves when no one else has noticed, which in an age of footballers throwing themselves around like circus acrobats is something to be admired.”
Richard thanked Warren Cole and Michelle Davies at Copnor Snooker Club, the PDBSA Committee, referee Steve Toms, Scotty Compton, Mark Tillison, Steve Morgan and the snookerdads and mums for their invaluable support.