First Silver success for former Bronze champion Gola

KINGS Cross cueist Donnie Gola has claimed his first winner’s trophy on the Cuestars Under-21 Silver Tour.

The 15-year-old ended a “great day” at Woking Snooker Centre by beating first-time finalist Daniel Walter (Portsmouth) 2-0.

Gola, who is based at the Mildmay Club and Institute in Newington Green, paid tribute to his 19-year-old opponent.

“Daniel’s potting a lot better than the last time I played him,” he said.

“It was a good final. I thought I was going to lose the second frame but I managed to win on the black ball.

“It was great day. I was playing really good snooker.”

Last season’s Bronze Tour rankings champion is enjoying his first campaign in the second tier.

“It’s a lot harder but it helps you get better,” explained Gola.

Meanwhile, fellow Londoner Ayan Roy recorded his highest break of 33 against Dylan Beer (Eastleigh) in the round-robin group stages.

In the last-four, Gola defeated rankings leader Mason Wilson (Basingstoke) 2-0 and Walter edged first-time semi-finalist Christopher Woodward (Chandler’s Ford) 2-1 on the final black.

Caden Read (Chandlers Ford) won his group for the first time and Lennon Savage (Southampton) qualified for his first knockout since gaining promotion at the end of last season.

Wilson remains in first place in the rankings. Gola moves up to second. William Hurley (Rayleigh), who recorded the day’s highest break of 47, drops to third.

Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon, hosts the fifth leg of ten on Sunday, January 7.

For more information about Woking Snooker Centre, go to https://snookerhub.co.uk/snooker-clubs/woking-snooker-centre or www.facebook.com/wokingsnookercentre.

BREAKS

William Hurley: 47.
Daniel Walter: 38, 30.
Mason Wilson: 42.
Dylan Beer: 39.
Ayan Roy: 33(PB).

SILVER RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Mason Wilson (Academy, Basingstoke); 2nd, Lennon Savage (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Gus Walker (Castle SC, Brighton); 4th, Tyler Beer (Salisbury SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Caden Read (Chandlers Ford SC); 2nd, Christopher Woodward (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, William Hurley (Lanes Sports Bar, Rayleigh); 4th, Tom McEvoy (Salisbury SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Oliver Li (Castle SC, Brighton); 2nd, Donnie Gola (Mildmay Club, Islington); 3rd, Matthew Jameson (Castle SC, Brighton); 4th, Isaac Wong (Southampton).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP D: 1st, Daniel Walter (Copnor SC); 2nd, Dylan Beer (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Casey Turner (Castle SC, Brighton); 4th, Jamie Hogg (Frank’s, Hatfield); 5th, Ayan Roy (Frames, Coulsdon).

QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Wilson 2-0 D Beer, Gola 2-0 Read, Woodward 2-1 Li, Walter 2-1 Savage.

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Gola 2-0 Wilson, Walter 2-1 Woodward.

FINAL (25/18 points): Gola 2-0 Walter.

Picture, from left: Donnie Gola, Peter Ruddick (manager of event sponsor Woking Snooker Centre), Daniel Walter.