Jamie ends eight-year wait for winner’s trophy

JAMIE Wilson’s eight-year quest for a Cuestars winner’s trophy has ended.

The 16-year-old from Havant admitted it was a “shock to the system” after breaking his duck in south London.

He crossed the winning line in style in the fourth leg of the Under-21 Gold Tour at Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon.

It was his 83rd ranking event across four different Cuestars circuits.

Intelligent snookers helped Wilson take the opening frame of the final against former rankings champion Bradley Cowdroy (Bournemouth) on one of the club’s professional standard Star tables.

The talented teenage had often let slip a lead in his five previous finals. But not this time.

Given a second bite of the cherry in the next, he compiled a match-winning 72 break to collect the £100 prize money.

Wilson had always believed the win would eventually come but was visibly taken aback at the enormity of what he had achieved.

He said: “I’m absolutely over the moon. I’m so happy about it.

“It’s quite a shock to the system to actually win one.”

Reflecting on the break, the England international, who practises on his own Star table at Waterlooville Sports Bar, added: “I was focused; I was relaxed; I was in my comfort zone.”

Wilson made his Cuestars debut in Salisbury on October 17, 2011, at the age of seven.

In the semi-finals, reigning champion Oliver Sykes (Chandler’s Ford) lost 2-1 to Wilson and Connor Benzey (Eastleigh) was knocked out 2-1 by Cowdroy.

Chandlers Ford Snooker Club hosts the fifth legs of ten on Sunday, January 5.

For more information about the event sponsors, Frames Sports Bar and Mr Gold, visit www.framessportsbar.co.uk and contact Mr Gold via [email protected] or ring 07930 355677.

BREAKS

Jamie Wilson: 72.
Bradley Cowdroy: 61.
Connor Benzey: 59, 52, 52.
Elliott Weston: 55.
Oliver Sykes: 53, 52.

GOLD RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Bradley Cowdroy (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 2nd, Jamie Wilson (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 3rd, Marcos Dayao (Hurricane Room, Kings Cross); 4th, O’Shay Scott (Chandlers Ford SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Oliver Sykes (Chandlers Ford SC); 2nd, Ronnie Sullivan (Frames, Coulsdon); 3rd, Dan Sykes (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, Steven Hughes (Chandlers Ford SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Elliott Weston (Top Spot, Havant); 2nd, Connor Benzey (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Mickey Joyce (Academy, Basingstoke); 4th, Richard Hillgrove (Basildon SC); 5th, Chloe White (Waterlooville Sports Bar).

QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Cowdroy 2-1 D Sykes, Benzey 2-1 Sullivan, O Sykes 2-0 Joyce, Wilson 2-1 Weston.

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Cowdroy 2-1 Benzey, Wilson 2-1 O Sykes.

FINAL (£100/£25, 25/18 points): Wilson 2-0 Cowdroy.

Picture by Tim Dunkley

From left: Jamie Wilson, Tony Thompson (owner of Frames Sports Bar), Bradley Cowdroy

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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)