Gola on the brink of Bronze glory

DONNIE Gola has one hand on the Cuestars Under-21 Bronze Tour rankings title.

The 15-year-old from Islington was celebrating on two fronts after a momentous day in the ninth leg at Greenbaize Snooker Club, Bournemouth.

He kicked off with his highest break of 45 in his first match against Archie Light (Lymington) and ended by beating Ellise Scott (Eastleigh) 2-0 in the final.

It means Gola, who also won the previous leg in Fareham and the second event in Coulsdon, will definitely claim the title if he finishes no lower than fourth in his round-round group in the tenth tournament.

Talking about his break, Gola said: “It came out of nowhere.”

And he added: “It was a very good day.”

The only frame he dropped during the event was against third-placed William Hurley (Rayleigh) in the last-four.

Scott, who won the opening leg in Salisbury, beat Lee Clayden (Chingford) 2-1 in the second semi.

Channel Islander Archie Greier made his highest break of 23 in the group stages.

Gola has a 19-point lead over Christopher Woodward (Chandler’s Ford) going into the tenth and final leg on Sunday, April 30, Chandlers Ford Snooker Club.

For more information about the event sponsor, Greenbaize Snooker Club, go to greenbaizesnooker.com.

BREAKS

Donnie Gola: 45, 31, 24.
Lennon Savage: 27, 21, 21.
William Hurley: 26, 22
Marshal Denieffe: 25.
Archie Greier: 23.
Lee Clayden: 21.

BRONZE RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Donnie Gola (Mildmay Club, Islington); 2nd, Ellise Scott (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Archie Greier (First Tower SC, Jersey); 4th, Archie Light (Chandlers Ford SC); 5th, Noah Gartell (Chandlers Ford SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Christopher Woodward (Chandlers Ford SC); 2nd, Tyler Beer (Fair Oak); 3rd, Oliver Li (Castle SC, Brighton); 4th, Marshal Denieffe (London Snooker Tooting); 5th, Harry Stone (Chandlers Ford SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Lennon Savage (Southampton); 2nd, Rayan El Qmache (Hurricane Room, Kings Cross); 3rd, Ellis Briggs (Fast Eddie’s, Banbury); 4th, Bailey-Jay Galloway (Fast Eddie’s, Banbury); 5th, Dylan Denieffe (London Snooker Tooting).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP D: 1st, William Hurley (Lanes Sports Bar, Rayleigh); 2nd, Lee Clayden (Hurricane Room, Kings Cross); 3rd, Yousuf Matib (Hurricane Room, Kings Cross); 4th, Chris Bennett (Chandlers Ford SC); 5th, Charlie Ings (Salisbury SC).

QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Gola 2-0 El Qmache, Hurley 2-0 Beer, Clayden 2-1 Woodward, Scott 2-1 Savage.

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Gola 2-1 Hurley, Scott 2-1 Clayden.

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

Pictured, from left: Donnie Gola, event sponsor and Greenbaize SC owner Debbie Ealy, Ellise Scott.