One more point each and they’d be level
A TRADEMARK comeback thwarted by a black-ball game means a regional snooker title is shared for the first time in the competition’s five-year history.
After eight legs in eight months, nothing separates Poole potter Brad Chappell and Gosport sharpshooter Mark Lloyd at the top of the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Gold Tour rankings.
Chappell, who is based at the Greenbaize Snooker Club, Bournemouth, led Lloyd by seven points going into the last event at Salisbury Snooker Club.
The pair met in the final with Lloyd needing to clinch his second tournament win of the season to draw level.
And the 14-year-old, who is based at and sponsored by Stoke Snooker Club, Gosport, took the first two frames in the best-of-five clash.
His 19-year-old opponent, winner of the three previous legs, then launched one of his famous comebacks and forced a decider. However, an attempted safety left the final black close to a pocket and Lloyd didn’t need to be asked twice.
“He played very well,” admitted Chappell.
“It was very, very close (to a comeback). I seem to be 2-0 down a lot and fight my way back.”
Lloyd simply said: “At two-all, I had to deal with it somehow.”
The pair, who finished with 111 points each, could meet again on the EASB Premier Junior Tour next season.
Chappell declined his place this year due to a lack of finance but hopes to be allowed back in while Lloyd, who lost in the semi-finals of the English Under-16 Championship in Leeds last month, is currently second on the EASB Regional Junior Tour South.
“It’s just snooker to me,” shrugged Lloyd, but added: “It would be nice but I’ve got to get there first.”
But Chappell warned: “The standard is amazing. You miss a ball, you’ve lost. It’s as simple as that.”
The top-16 ranked players now head to Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon, on Sunday, May 25, for the championship play-off.
BREAKS
Mark Lloyd: 60.
Brad Chappell: 47, 41.
GOLD RESULTS
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP: 1st, Mark Lloyd (Stoke SC, Gosport); 2nd, Brad Chappell (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 3rd, Stewart Ball (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 4th, James Budd (Stoke SC, Gosport).
SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Chappell beat Stewart 3-0, Lloyd beat Budd 3-0.
FINAL (£15/£5, 25/18 points): Lloyd beat Chappell 3-2.
Picture by Tim Dunkley. Mark Lloyd (left) and Brad Chappell.