Riley and William take junior titles at Chandlers Ford SC

RILEY Ellis (pictured, right) has secured his record-breaking fifth successive Eastleigh & District Under-19 Premier title at Chandlers Ford Snooker Club.

And nine-year-old William Thomson (left) has wrapped up his third successive Under-13 Premier title.

Riley, 18, finished six points clear of fellow Cuestars Gold Tour player O’Shay Scott while William had a 12-point advantage over fellow Silver Tour player Asten Sahota.

Mickey Joyce, now competing at Q School, won the U19 title a record six times but never four in a row. Interestingly, Mickey was aged ten when he claimed it for the first time.

New 20-week seasons start next Saturday (May 28). The Under-13 League runs from 9-11am and the Under-19s from 11am-1pm. The cost is £5.50 for club members and an extra 50p for non-members. Players entering both sessions get £1 off, ie, £10 for members and £11 for non-members.

Players compete off scratch in four or five-man round-robin groups but only against players of roughly their own standard. The only way they can climb the league and play better players is by winning more games than they lose.

New players and beginners can join at any time. Beginners work with WPBSA coach Tim Dunkley until they are ready to compete in proper matches.

Boys and girls who reach the required standard are encouraged to take the next step onto the Cuestars Under-21 Bronze Tour and the EPSB Regional Development Tour. And from there, they follow a well-worn path that can lead all the way to becoming a professional.

These leagues have produced some of the best young players in the country.

The U19 league just finished included seven players whose highest break in competition is more than 50.

The U13 league just finished included five players whose highest break in competition is more than 30.

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