Laxton claims first Silver winner’s trophy

PORTSMOUTH potter Samuel Laxton (pictured) has claimed his first winner’s trophy on the Cuestars Under-21 Silver Tour.

The 16-year-old prevailed in a “mentally draining” final against women’s world No 20 Chloe White at Salisbury Snooker Club.

Laxton had been runner-up four times over the past three seasons.

Paying tribute to his opponent from Havant after his 2-1 victory in the first leg, he said: “It’s so mentally draining, playing Chloe, because she’s such a good safety player.

“You’ve got to be really tactical when you play her. It’s always a good battle between us. I really enjoy playing her.”

Laxton didn’t drop a frame in three group-stage matches and defeated Londoner John Donovan 2-1 in the last-four.

White, 20, finished runner-up in the same group as Laxton and beat Harry Wyatt (Ferndown) 2-1 in the second semi. It was the first frames that 11-year-old Wyatt had lost all day.

The event was sponsored by Salisbury Snooker Club and one if its members, Malcom Slark.

Woking Snooker Centre hosts the second leg of eight on Sunday, December 5.

BREAKS

Mason Wilson: 44.
Harry Wyatt: 38, 38.
Asten Sahota: 37, 30.
Samuel Laxton: 32.

SILVER RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Harry Wyatt (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 2nd, John Donovan (Cousins, London); 3rd, Mason Wilson (Academy, Basingstoke); 4th, Asten Sahota (Chandlers Ford SC); 5th, Jason Larcome (Academy, Basingstoke).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Samuel Laxton (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 2nd, Chloe White (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 3rd, Will Forster (Fareham SC); 4th, William Thomson (Chandlers Ford SC).

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): White 2-1 Wyatt, Laxton 2-1 Donovan.

FINAL (25/18 points): Laxton 2-1 White.