Harry ‘The Potter’ earns place in Cuestars records book
AN EIGHT-year-old has earned a place in the record books of a regional snooker circuit that covers central southern England.
Harry Wyatt is the youngest tournament winner in the nine-year history of the Cuestars Under-21 Bronze Tour.
And the previous day, he became the second youngest champion of the Eastleigh & District Under-13 Premier.
Playing in only his third Cuestars event, Wyatt defeated 11-year-old Dylan Smith (Tunbridge Wells) 2-0 in the final at Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon.
Dad Chris said: “I could burst with pride. But I have never been so nervous in all my life.”
And he added: “Harry is overjoyed and loves playing under pressure when trophies are on the line.”
Now joint third in the rankings, Wyatt finished second in his five-man round-robin group in the event sponsored by Nice Clean Ltd and Don Rogers Sports.
He then edged home player Katie Griffin 2-1 and overcame Thomas McEvoy (Warminster) 2-0 to reach his first final.
He had lost in the semi-finals of the second leg in Waterlooville last month after failing to win a single frame on his debut in Salisbury in September.
It means Smith has collected the runner-up trophy in all three events since he made his Cuestars debut this season.
Owen Jenkins (Havant) remains top of the rankings despite losing 2-1 in the quarter-finals to his Waterlooville Sports Bar clubmate Thomas Sharp.
For the third event running, Sharp lost 2-0 to Smith in the last-four.
McEvoy climbs to fifth place after reaching his first semi-final.
Wyatt, who turns nine next month and has a high break of 31 in competition, travels to Chandlers Ford Snooker Club from his home in Ferndown to compete in the club’s Saturday morning under-13 league and receive one-to-one coaching.
The previous day, he ended the 20-week season a massive 24 points clear of Lennon Savage.
Havant teenager Jamie Wilson was three months younger when he clinched his first Under-13 Premier title in June, 2012.
Wilson, who turns 15 on Sunday, has since reached the English Under-14 Championship final, won his first England cap and made ten centuries.
The fourth leg of ten is at Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon, on Sunday, December 2.
For more information about the event sponsors, visit www.nicecleanltd.co.uk and www.donrogerssports.co.uk.
BRONZE RESULTS
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Thomas McEvoy (Salisbury SC); 2nd, Owen Jenkins (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 3rd, Freddie Turner (Salisbury SC); 4th, Sam Walter (Mayfair, Gosport); 5th, James Slade (Crucible, Newbury).
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Dylan Smith (Victoria SC, Tunbridge Wells); 2nd, Katie Griffin (Jesters, Swindon); 3rd, Daniel Walter (Mayfair, Gosport); 4th, Jaydon Elliott (147 SC, Swindon); 5th, George Laxton (Waterlooville Sports Bar).
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Thomas Sharp (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 2nd, Harry Wyatt (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Taylor Elliott (147 SC, Swindon); 4th, Eddie Mason (Salisbury SC); 5th, Will Kempson (Salisbury SC).
QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): McEvoy 2-1 D Walter, Wyatt 2-1 Griffin, Smith 2-0 Turner, Sharp 2-1 Jenkins.
SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Smith 2-0 Sharp, Wyatt 2-0 McEvoy.
FINAL (25/18 points): Wyatt 2-0 Smith.
Picture: Harry Wyatt (left) and Dylan Smith
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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)