Sykes earns place in Cuestars records book
OLIVER Sykes earned himself a place in the Cuestars records book before claiming his second winner’s trophy of the season in Swindon.
The 16-year-old from Chandler’s Ford made the highest break ever recorded in the 13-year history of the Under-21 Gold Tour during the fourth leg at Jesters Snooker Club.
His 133 total clearance in the second frame of his 3-1 last-four victory over rankings leader Bradley Cowdroy (Bournemouth) surpassed former professional Jamie Wilson’s 128 in 2019.
Sykes then joined Cowdroy at the top of the rankings after a 3-1 success over Londoner John Donovan, who was appearing in his first Gold final.
The talented left-hander, who pocketed £100 in prize money, has certainly had his scoring boots on over the past ten days.
He made a 147 in a challenge match against Cuestars director John Hunter at Chandlers Ford SC, which earned him an interview on Radio Solent’s Breakfast show, and then added his highest competitive break of 135 in his home club’s Open Series the day before travelling to Swindon.
Ollie Briffett-Payne (Risca, south Wales) also hit three figures with a 103 before losing 3-2 to Donovan in the last-four.
The event was sponsored by Don Rogers Sports (www.donrogerssports.co.uk), Clean-Cut (www.clean-cut.co.uk) and Jesters Snooker Club (www.jesterssnooker.co.uk).
The fifth legs of ten on Sunday, January 8, are split between two clubs. Top Spot Snooker Club, Havant, hosts the Bronze Tour while Silver and Gold will be at Waterlooville Sports Bar.
BREAKS
Oliver Sykes: 133, 58.
Ollie Briffett-Payne: 103, 70, 56, 52, 50.
Bradley Cowdroy: 75, 58, 54, 48.
John Donovan: 64.
GOLD RESULTS
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Bradley Cowdroy (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 2nd, John Donovan (Cousins, London); 3rd, Elliott Johnson (London Snooker Tooting); 4th, Will Forster (Waterlooville Sports Bar).
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Ollie Briffett-Payne (Red Triangle SC, Newport, Wales); 2nd, Oliver Sykes (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Riley Ellis (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, O’Shay Scott (Chandlers Ford SC); 5th, Shane Kearns (Jesters, Swindon).
SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Donovan 3-2 Briffett-Payne, Sykes 3-1 Cowdroy.
FINAL (£100/£25, 25/18 points): Sykes 3-1 Donovan.