Laxton completes unique hat-trick
SAMUEL Laxton has completed a unique hat-trick on the Cuestars Under-21 snooker circuit.
The 17-year-old from Portsmouth has won three successive championship titles.
Laxton beat rankings winner John Donovan (London) 2-1 from 1-0 down in this season’s Silver Tour final at Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon.
He claimed the Bronze title in 2018 and first won Silver in 2019, both at Jesters. Covid put a halt to plans for championship days in 2020 and 2021.
No one has ever won three before, let alone in succession, in the 13-year history of the junior circuit.
What makes this more remarkable is that Laxton, who admitted he hadn’t been practising, only made the decision to play the previous evening.
“My dad (Wayne) persuaded me last night,” he explained. “He said it’s the last one of the season. You might as well go. Just enjoy it.”
“I really enjoyed it. It was good.
“But everyone’s improving so much. It’s getting tougher and tougher every time.”
Reflecting on the reasons why Jesters is such a happy hunting ground for him, Laxton said: “The tables are good. There’s lots of space and lots of tables so it’s free-flowing all day. It helps my game – constant playing rather than big breaks.”
Laxton, who received his trophy from guest professional Joe Perry, finished top of the seven-man round-robin group and beat 10-year-old Asten Sahota (Southampton) 2-1 in the last-four.
Donovan overcame Mason Wilson (Basingstoke) 2-1 in the second semi.
For more information about the event sponsor, visit www.jesterssnooker.co.uk.
BREAKS
John Donovan: 45.
Harry Wyatt: 43, 40.
Will Forster: 37, 32.
William Thomson: 32.
Asten Sahota: 31
Mason Wilson: 30.
SILVER RESULTS
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP: 1st, Samuel Laxton (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 2nd, John Donovan (Cousins, London); 3rd, Mason Wilson (Crucible, Newbury); 4th, Asten Sahota (Chandlers Ford SC); 5th, Will Forster (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 6th, William Thomson (Chandlers Ford SC); 7th, Harry Wyatt (Greenbaize, Bournemouth).
SEMI-FINALS: Laxton 2-1 Sahota, Donovan 2-1 Wilson.
FINAL: Laxton 2-1 Donovan.
Picture: Samuel Laxton (left) and Joe Perry.