Second championship title for Samuel Laxton

SAMUEL Laxton returned to the scene of his greatest triumph – and repeated the feat.

The Portsmouth potter clinched the Cuestars Under-21 Silver Tour Championship a year after winning the Bronze title.

And again it was at Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon.

For the second year running, the 14-year-old dug deep into his reserves and discovered the resolve that has taken him over so many winning lines.

Laxton overcame Richard Hillgrove (Southend) 2-0 in the final.

He took the first frame on the pink and the second on the black.

Earlier, he had beaten his Waterlooville Sports Bar clubmate Zak Truscott 2-0 in the last-eight and rankings winner Shane Kearns (Swindon) 2-1 in the semis.

Jesters is certainly a happy hunting ground for the teenager.

It was there that he won his only Bronze Tour rankings final in October, 2017 and reached his only Silver Tour rankings final last November.

Explaining why, he said: “This club is just amazing.

“There’s lots of tables and you don’t have to wait long for your next game.

“You’re just playing all the time, which is what I like.”

The following day, Laxton wrapped up his first Monday Junior Snooker League title at his home club.

He finished level on points with Jamie Wilson but had won two frames more over the 20-week season.

Truscott edged Owen Jenkins by the same margin for third place.

Harry Wilson finished 11 points clear of Ryan Wilson at the top of Division 2.

Laxton heads to Leeds at the weekend for the last-16 stage of the English Under-14 Championship.

For more information about event sponsor Jesters SC, visit www.jesterssnooker.co.uk.

BREAKS

Kaine Petty: 33.
Riley Ellis: 31.

SILVER RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Richard Hillgrove (Basildon SC); 2nd, Shane Kearns (Jesters, Swindon); 3rd, Mason Wilson (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, Callum White (Waterlooville Sports Bar).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Zak Truscott (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 2nd, Keegan Reed (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Riley Ellis (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, Lucas Fidow (Jesters, Swindon).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Louie Leighton (Basildon SC); 2nd, O’Shay Scott (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Samuel Laxton (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 4th, Kaine Petty (Salisbury SC).

QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Laxton 2-0 Truscott, Kearns 2-1 Leighton, Hillgrove 2-1 Ellis, Scott 2-0 Reed.

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Hillgrove 2-1 Scott, Laxton 2-1 Kearns.

FINAL (25/18 points): Laxton 2-0 Hillgrove.

Picture by Tim Dunkley

Robert Milkins and Samuel Laxton

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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)