‘Warrior’ Cowdroy claims success in Coulsdon

BRADLEY Cowdroy was described as a “real warrior” after winning an under-16 tournament in South London.

The 15-year-old from Bournemouth defeated Harlow-based Alex Clenshaw with breaks of 36 and 37 in the final at Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon.

He also recorded runs of 35 and 40 in a last-four victory over Jamie Wilson (Havant).

Earlier, Cuestars Gold Tour player Cowdroy, who joined the ton-up club last month with a 102 in a practice match at Greenbaize SC, qualified from the group stages and overcame Ronnie Sullivan (London) 2-0 in the first knockout round.

In an under-21 event run concurrently, he lost in the semi-finals to the eventual tournament winner Matt Glasby (Southend), who topped last season’s EASB Premier Junior Tour for the country’s top under-21 players.

Frames coach Terry Burke said: “I must say Bradley was a deserving winner.

“He had to play three best-of-sevens in the under 21s as well and was getting more impressive as the long day wore on. A real warrior.”

Meanwhile, Connor Benzey pocketed £35 prize money after making last-four exits in both tournaments.

The Eastleigh cue star, who recorded a fourth century break in a midweek practice match, beat Ronnie Blake (London) 4-3 in the quarter-finals of the under-21s.

He then lost 4-0 to 20-year-old Peter Devlin (London), who won last year’s English Under-21 Championship.

In the under-16 event, Benzey rounded off the group stages with runs of 55 and 52 in a 2-1 victory over Wilson.

Now with his scoring boots well and truly on, Benzey fired in breaks of 81 and 49 to cruise past Jackson Song (London) 2-0 before going down 2-1 to Alex Clenshaw (Harlow).

Remarkably, all those breaks were made on tight professional standard Star tables.

Oliver Sykes also progressed from the under-16 group stages but lost 2-0 to Wilson in the last-eight.

The 11-year-old from Chandler’s Ford beat Marcos Dayao (London) 4-3 in the under-21s before going out 4-0 to Cowdroy.

Picture by Tim Dunkley

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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)