Cyprus-bound Lloyd wins in Fareham
ENGLAND Under-18 snooker champion Mark Lloyd flies out to Cyprus this weekend on the back of a “not very good” winning performance.
Lloyd warmed up for next week’s European Under-18 Championship by collecting his fourth winner’s trophy this season on the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Gold Tour.
In a repeat of the previous event in Havant, the 17-year-old from Gosport beat Bradley Cowdroy (pictured left) 2-0 in the final of the seventh leg hosted and sponsored by Fareham Snooker Club.
Reflecting on his play during the day, the rankings leader, who lost to 14-year-old Cowdroy (Bournemouth) in the group stages, said: “It was not very good.
“It’s grinding the matches and not getting fussed if you lose a frame. It was a struggle.”
Turning to Cyprus, he added: “If I play like I did today, it’s not going to be good. But if I play like I have been in practice, I’ll be fine.”
Meanwhile, Selsey teenager Arron Smith qualified for the knockout for the first time since his Cuestars debut a year ago. The 17-year-old went out 2-0 to Lloyd in the last-eight.
Two Chandler’s Ford players made the semi-finals. Fifth-placed Steven Hughes lost 2-1 from 1-0 up to Lloyd and Connor Benzey was beaten 2-0 by Cowdroy.
Jamie Wilson (Havant) made his first appearance in the knockout this season but lost 2-0 to Benzey.
Lloyd has a 46-point lead but the race for the runners-up spot is tight. Only 11 points separate second-placed Callum Browne (Trowbridge) and Benzey, in seventh.
The eight leg of ten is at Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon, on Sunday, March 19.
For more information about Fareham Snooker Club, visit www.farehamsnooker.co.uk.
BREAKS
Mark Lloyd: 45, 44, 44.
GOLD RESULTS
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Bradley Cowdroy (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 2nd, Mark Lloyd (Stoke SC, Gosport); 3rd, Connor Benzey (Chandler’s Ford SC); 4th, Dan Sykes (Chandler’s Ford SC); 5th, Olly Gibbs (Chandler’s Ford SC).
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Jamie Wilson (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 2nd, Steven Hughes (Chandler’s Ford SC); 3rd, Oliver Sykes (Chandler’s Ford SC); 4th, Mickey Joyce (Chandler’s Ford SC).
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Callum Browne (Player’s, Westbury); 2nd, Arron Smith (Selsey RBL, Chichester); 3rd, Adam Stacey (Legends, Leytonstone ; 4th, Anthony Rice (Salisbury SC).
QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Cowdroy 2 O Sykes 0, Hughes 2 Browne 0, Benzey 2 Wilson 0, Lloyd 2 Smith 0.
SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Cowdroy 2 Benzey 0, Lloyd 2 Hughes 1.
FINAL (£65/£32.50, 25/18 points): Lloyd 2 Cowdroy 0.
Pictures by Tim Dunkley
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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)