Darken claims first Cuestars tournament win

ANDREW Darken has won his first Cuestars tournament.

The Londoner defeated Raj Puri 2-1 in the final of the second leg of the Masters (55+) Tour at Chandlers Ford Snooker Club.

Darken, who collected £55 prize money, had never been past the last-four in his 30 previous outings on the Championship, Seniors and Masters Tours since his debut in September, 2017.

Former Masters champion Phil Morgan (Salisbury) earnt himself a place in the Cuestars records book. His 58 break in the group stages was the highest since the midweek circuit was launched in October, 2018.

Leg-one winner Puri (Rochester) has a 26-point lead over Darken at the top of the rankings. Beaten semi-finalist Neil Carroll is ten points further back in third. This ranking list includes points gained by over-55 players on the Cuestars Seniors (40+) Tour.

Salisbury Snooker Club hosts the third leg of four on Tuesday, January 28.

BREAKS

Phil Morgan: 58.
Raj Puri: 48, 38.
Steve Allen: 41.

RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Raj Puri (Hartley Country Club); 2nd, Andrew Darken (Chertsey SSNR Club); 3rd, Ray Mears (Sovereign, Farnborough); 4th, Peter Ebbins (Greenbaize, Bournemouth).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Neil Carroll (Chandlers Ford SC); 2nd, Steve Allen (Totton Recreation Club); 3rd, Phil Morgan (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, Stephen Hills (Traders, Northfleet); 5th, Herman Desmier (Bournemouth & District Constitutional Club).

SEMI-FINALS: Darken 2-1 Carroll, Puri 2-1 Allen.

FINAL (£55/£35): Darken 2-1 Puri.

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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)