Record-breaker Asten claims Bronze title

NINE-year-old Asten Sahota has earned himself a place in the Cuestars records book.

The budding star from Southampton is the youngest Under-21 Bronze Tour rankings champion in the 12-year history of the competition.

Sahota, who turns ten later this month, clinched the title by overcoming second-placed Zain Jeraj (London) 2-1 in the semi-finals of the sixth and last leg at Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon.

And, just for good measure, the youngster from Chandlers Ford Snooker Club beat Yorkshire’s Harry Goddard 2-0 in the final to claim his second winner’s trophy of the season.

Reflecting on his victory over title-rival Jeraj, Sahota said: “It was nerve-racking. In the second frame, I played absolutely rubbish. In the last frame, I put a lot more effort in.

“It was like the world was on my shoulders. When I realised that I’d won it, it was lifted. It was sooo nice.”

In the group stages, Sahota scraped through 2-1 against Caden Read (Chandler’s Ford) and Dylan Beer (Fair Oak) in two extremely close matches before losing 2-1 to Goddard.

Sahota thanked his dad, Jez, and clubmate Harry Wyatt (the previous youngest champion at the age of ten) for their help and support during a tense and dramatic day.

Thomas McEvoy (Warminster) knocked in the day’s highest break of 28 and then took Goddard to a third-frame decider in the semi-finals.

Jeraj finished the season in second place, seven points ahead of Goddard.

The event was sponsored by trophy supplier Don Rogers Sports (www.donrogerssports.co.uk), Swindon-based window cleaners Clean Cut (www.clean-cut.co.uk) and Jesters Snooker Club (www.jesterssnooker.co.uk).

The 2021/22 junior season kicks off at Salisbury Snooker Club on Sunday, November 14.

BREAKS

Thomas McEvoy: 28.
Harry Goddard: 24, 20.
Zain Jeraj: 24.
Caden Read: 22.

BRONZE RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Harry Goddard (Pocklington United Services Club); 2nd, Asten Sahota (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Dylan Beer (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, Caden Read (Chandlers Ford SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Zain Jeraj (London Snooker); 2nd, Thomas McEvoy (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Zach Moritz (Hurricane Room, Kings Cross); 4th, Jaydon Elliott (147 SC, Swindon); 5th, Tyler Beer (Chandlers Ford SC).

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Sahota 2-1 Jeraj, Goddard 2-1 McEvoy.

FINAL (25/18 points): Sahota 2-0 Goddard.

Pictured, from left: Asten Sahota, Roy Elliott (from Clean Cut), Harry Goddard.