Nap hand for Oliver Sykes
RANKINGS champion Oliver Sykes has collected his fifth winner’s trophy of the season on the Cuestars Under-21 Gold Tour.
The 17-year-old beat the much-improved Evan Plummer 2-0 in the final of the Pitman Training-sponsored tenth leg on home tables at Chandlers Ford Snooker Club.
Sykes, who didn’t drop a frame all day, said: “I scrapped it out, didn’t really make any big breaks. Overall, it’s been pretty good.”
And the left-hander added that he “can’t wait” for his first crack at Q School later this month in Leicester.
“Hopefully, I don’t draw someone I know,” he continued. “I’m just going to go up there and enjoy the experience.
“I definitely step my game up against people I haven’t played before.”
Plummer (Coulsdon) recorded the day’s highest break of 115 in his 2-1 last-four victory over Bradley Cowdroy (Bournemouth).
Zain Jeraj (Tooting) made his highest competitive break of 42 in the group stages against Jacob Boyle (Cardiff).
Cowdroy ended the season in second place. John Donovan (Camden Town) is third.
Next up is the Cuestars Under-21 Gold, Silver and Bronze Championships with guest professional Joe Perry at Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon, on Sunday, May 21.
For more information about Pitman Training, go to www.pitman-training.com.
BREAKS
Evan Plummer: 115, 77, 76, 61, 51.
Bradley Cowdroy: 59, 43.
Oliver Sykes: 73, 69, 60, 56.
Simon Bubb: 43.
Zain Jeraj: 42(PB).
GOLD RESULTS
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP: 1st, Oliver Sykes (Chandlers Ford SC); 2nd, Elliott Johnson (London Snooker Tooting); 3rd, Simon Bubb (Gunnersbury Triangle Club); 4th, Riley Ellis (Chandlers Ford SC).
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Bradley Cowdroy (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 2nd, O’Shay Scott (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Zain Jeraj (London Snooker, Tooting); 4th, Jacob Boyle (Cardiff).
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Evan Plummer (Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon); 2nd, Riccardo Drayton (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, John Donovan (Cousins, London); 4th, Will Forster (Waterlooville Sports Bar).
QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Sykes 2-0 Jeraj, Drayton 2-0 Scott, Cowdroy 2-0 Bubb, Plummer 2-0 Johnson.
SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Sykes 2-0 Drayton, Plummer 2-1 Cowdroy.
FINAL (£100/£25, 25/18 points): Sykes 2-0 Plummer.