Johnson credits mental strength for maiden Gold success

ELLIOTT Johnson reckons improving the mental side of his game helped him gain his first success on the Cuestars Under-21 Gold Tour.

The 17-year-old from Sutton pocketed £100 in prize money after beating John Donovan (Camden Town) 2-0 in the final of the eighth leg at Fareham Snooker Club.

Johnson, who needed a snooker in the opening frame, struggled earlier in the day but has been taught how to dig deep by WPBSA coach Brian Cox.

The talented left-hander said: “I’ve been working with Brian on the mental side and it’s improved my snooker.

“My tactical game is not looking too bad. It’s a great feeling. It’s a good result.”

Now in his second season on the Gold Tour, Johnson had never been past the last-eight before.

O’Shay Scott (Eastleigh), who finished third in the European Under-16 Championship in Malta earlier in the week, and Ronnie Sullivan (Chipstead) were the losing semi-finalists.

Oliver Sykes (Chandler’s Ford) remains top of the rankings from Bradley Cowdroy (Bournemouth). Both players were knocked out of the European Under-21 Championship the previous day. Donovan is third.

For more information about the event sponsor, Fareham Snooker Club, go to www.farehamsnooker.co.uk.

Greenbaize Snooker Club, Bournemouth, hosts the ninth leg of ten on Sunday, April 2.

BREAKS

Ronnie Sullivan: 51, 47, 47.
John Donovan: 46, 41.

GOLD RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Ronnie Sullivan (Dunstable Snooker Club); 2nd, John Donovan (Cousins, London); 3rd, O’Shay Scott (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, Elliott Johnson (London Snooker Tooting); 5th, Will Forster (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 6th, Dylan Smith (Victoria SC, Tunbridge Wells); 7th, Simon Bubb (Gunnersbury Triangle Club).

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Johnson 2-0 Sullivan, Donovan 2-1 Scott.

FINAL (£100/£25, 25/18 points): Johnson 2-0 Donovan.