Hat-trick for Sykes

OLIVER Sykes has collected his third Cuestars Under-21 Gold Tour Championship title in Swindon.

The 18-year-old from Chandlers Ford warmed up for Q School by beating Simon Bubb 2-1 in the final at Jesters Snooker Club.

Sykes, who collected £100 in prize money, admitted: “It was a struggle at times. I’m just happy to win the final. Simon never makes it easy.”

And he defeated Cuestars ambassador Joe Perry in an exhibition frame.

Sykes said: “In the past two years, I’ve had one shot and he’s cleared up. It’s what Joe does. It’s nice having him around.”

Turning to Q School in Leicester, he added: “I’m really looking forward to it and excited to be playing in those conditions.

“I’ve had a few experiences this season, a few wildcards, so it’s not something I haven’t done before. I’m getting used to it slowly.”

O’Shay Scott (Eastleigh), who made the day’s highest break of 102 in his quarter-final victory over Jacob Boyle (Cardiff), also beat world number 47 Perry.

Will Forster (Wickham), who won the last ranking event in Bournemouth, made the last-four.

Boyle and Bubb (Ealing Common) now bow out of under-21 events. Boyle joined the Gold Tour in 2022. Bubb made his Cuestars debut on the Silver Tour in September, 2019. He collected two Silver winner’s trophies and one Gold in Woking in February this year.

The event was sponsored by Jesters SC (www.jesterssnooker.co.uk).

BREAKS

O’Shay Scott: 102, 60, 55, 54, 53.
John Donovan: 78, 40.
Will Forster: 78.
Oliver Sykes: 76, 60, 55, 50.
Jacob Boyle: 71.

GOLD RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Will Forster (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 2nd, Jacob Boyle (Mackintosh Sports Club, Cardiff); 3rd, William Thomson (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, Zain Jeraj (London Snooker, Tooting).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Oliver Sykes (Chandlers Ford SC); 2nd, Simon Bubb (Gunnersbury Triangle Club); 3rd, Ryan Spratt (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, Lee Whaley (Hurricane Room, Kings Cross).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, O’Shay Scott (Chandlers Ford SC); 2nd, Asten Sahota (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, John Donovan (Hurricane Room, Colindale); 4th, William Hurley (Lanes Sports Bar, Rayleigh); 5th, Donnie Gola (Mildmay Club).

QUARTER-FINALS: Forster 2-1 Donovan, Bubb 2-0 Sahota, Sykes 2-0 Thomson, Scott 2-0 Boyle.

SEMI-FINALS: Bubb 2-1 Forster, Sykes 2-0 Scott.

FINAL (£100/£25): Sykes 2-1 Bubb.