Rio’s grand day

Winning a snooker tournament is what every Cuestars player hopes for and works towards. But winning two on the same day is a feat you can dine out on for years to come.

So take one step forward, Rio Smith.

The 13-year-old claimed the monthly section knockout at Copnor Snooker Club in the morning and the Portsmouth District Billiards & Snooker Association’s Under-30 Championship in the afternoon.

Smith, who is currently sixth on the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Bronze Tour rankings, kicked off his memorable day by edging Chloe White 2-1 in the section final.

White took the first frame on the black. Smith compiled a 22 in the next and squared the match on the black. A nip-and-tuck decider ended when Smith jawed the match-ball blue but snookered his opponent behind the black. White hit the blue but left it in the jaws.

Referee Steve Toms said it was a pleasure officiating the “two very exciting players”.

Later that day, Smith lined up with nine other Cuestars players for the Portsmouth league’s Under-30 Championship, a straight knockout handicapped event.

Smith and White met again in the last-four but there was to be no revenge for the only girl on the Bronze Tour.

In the second semi, defending champion Jamie Wilson accounted for Dan Compton, who was not playing as half as good as he had been against English Under-16 champion Mark Lloyd in the previous round.

Wilson squared the final at 2-2 with a 55 break but a 23 by Smith helped to secure the decider.

UNDER-30 CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

Prelim round: Rio Smith 2-0 Callum White, Ryan Compton 2-1 Ashley Smith.
Quarter-finals: Ben Tillison 0-2 Chloe White, Mark Lloyd 1-2 Dan Compton, Ryan Compton 0-2 Jamie Wilson, Rio Smith 2-1 Sam Laxton.
Semi-finals: Chloe White 0-2 Rio Smith, Jamie Wilson 2-0 Dan Compton.
Final: Rio Smith 3-2 Jamie Wilson.

Main picture: Rio Smith (left) being presented with the Portsmouth Under-30 trophy by England international Mark Lloyd.

Report by Tim Dunkley and picture by Steve Toms.