Record fifth title for Mickey Joyce

MICKEY Joyce has wrapped up a record-equalling fifth Eastleigh & District Under-19 Premier title.

The phenomenal 12-year-old Gold Tour player (pictured) from Basingstoke finished the 50th season at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club six points clear of Under-13 champion Oliver Sykes.

And he then headed straight up the M1 to Leeds for the next day’s last-16 stage of the English Under-14 Championship.

Gareth Crook and former Town Champion Alex Dunkley are the only other five-time winners.

In October, 2013, a then ten-year-old Joyce became the youngest player to win the Premier title in both age groups in the same season.

Although he was beaten to top spot in the next two campaigns by Austen Petty and Luke Beebe, Joyce, whose highest break in competition is 77, has dominated the league since late 2014.

Steven Hughes finished in third spot, ahead of Olly Gibbs, Connor Benzey and Jamie Wilson. Ryan Hughes won Division 1 from Charlie Pringle. Harry Joyce took the Division 2 honours ahead of Coby Mumford.

Joyce won the Cuestars Bronze Tour championship play-off in 2012/13 and won the Silver Tour rankings title the following season. He is currently eighth on the Gold Tour.

A new 20-week league kicks off at 11am on Saturday.

Report and picture by Tim Dunkley.