Oliver Sykes claims Gold double
OLIVER Sykes demonstrated maturety beyond his tender years to complete the Cuestars Under-21 Gold Tour double.
The youngest rankings winner earnt another place in the record books by clinching the end-of-season Championship in impressive style at Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon.
Sykes is nearly a year younger than Chandlers Ford clubmate Jordan Winbourne was when he clinched the double in 2009/10.
The 13-year-old beat Jamie Wilson (Havant) 3-2 from 2-0 down in the final to claim the £100 first prize.
Wilson, 15, broke down on a run of 38 in the decider and Sykes cleared to the black with a 60.
It means Wilson, who defeated Sykes in the group stages and former rankings champion Bradley Cowdroy (Bournemouth) 3-0 in the semi-finals, is still chasing a first Cuestars tournament win eight-and-a-half years after making his debut
Sykes overcame Connor Benzey (Eastleigh) 3-1 in the last-four and reckons a season on the EASB Premier Junior Tour has made a massive difference to his game.
The left-hander said: “It’s definitely sharpened me up.
“It’s incredible how much I’ve progressed this year.
“I played well against Connor. You don’t want to leave him in because he’s such a good player and an amazing break builder.
“And as soon as Jamie left me in, I just tried to clear them up, just give it a go.”
To cap a remarkable day, Sykes was the only player to beat guest professional Robert Milkins.
The world number 36 said: “The kid I lost to, what a fantastic player. Brilliant.
“I was watching him, not only against me, but afterwards. His potting is phenomenal. He played such a good frame against me.”
Benzey recorded the day’s highest break of 113 in his first group-stage match against Mickey Joyce (Basingstoke).
For more information about event sponsor Jesters SC, visit www.jesterssnooker.co.uk.
BREAKS
Connor Benzey: 113.
Marcos Dayao: 70.
Oliver Sykes: 60, 55.
Bradley Cowdroy: 46, 44.
GOLD RESULTS
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Jamie Wilson (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 2nd, Oliver Sykes (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Marcos Dayao (Hurricane Room, Kings Cross); 4th, Ryan Hughes (Chandlers Ford SC); 5th, Chloe White (Waterlooville Sports Bar).
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Connor Benzey (Chandlers Ford SC); 2nd, Bradley Cowdroy (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 3rd, Mickey Joyce (Academy, Basingstoke); 4th, Aristos Pampouris (Hurricane Room, Kings Cross); 5th, Dan Sykes (Chandlers Ford SC).
SEMI-FINALS: O Sykes 3-1 Benzey, Wilson 3-0 Cowdroy.
FINAL (£100/£25): O Sykes 3-2 Wilson.
Picture by Tim Dunkley
Robert Milkins and England international Oliver Sykes
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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)