Whaley flying in south London
KINGS Cross potter Lee Whaley admitted he was “flying” after winning his third snooker tournament of the season and beating his highest break twice.
The 17-year-old ended a remarkable day in south London by securing promotion to the top tier after just four legs of the Cuestars Under-21 Silver Tour.
In an all-Hurricane Room final at Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon, Whaley overcame John Donovan 2-0.
He took the first frame with a personal best break of 75.
Earlier, he passed the Gold Tour threshold with a run of 64 against debutant Aeron Moore (Haywards Heath) in the round-robin group stages.
Whaley reckons a three-day week studying BTEC science at Westminster Kingsway College is the key to his green-baize success.
“I get a chance to practise more on a Friday,” he explained. “It’s paying off.”
Reflecting on the day, he added: “I did well. I was flying.”
Meanwhile, another new high break was recorded by Mason Wilson (Basingstoke), who posted a 56 in his group-stage victory over Alex El-Deweiny (Brighton).
Rankings leader Whaley has a massive 30-point margin over another clubmate, second-placed Elliott Johnson, who lost 2-0 to Donovan in the last four.
Donovan, who won last season’s Bronze Tour Championship, made a Silver final for the first time and moved up to fourth.
The consistent Samuel Laxton (Portsmouth) is third after a third successive semi-final appearance. He lost 2-0 to Whaley.
Three days later, Laxton didn’t know whether to laugh or cry during the Wednesday Junior Snooker League at Waterlooville Sports Bar.
Towards the end of his fourth straight defeat, the 14-year-old’s tip flew off. He picked up a battered old Riley club cue with a broken butt for his fifth and final frame against Jake Sharp – and compiled a new high break of 46.
Chandlers Ford Snooker Club hosts the fifth leg of ten on Sunday, January 5.
For more information about the event sponsors, Frames Sports Bar and Mr Gold, visit www.framessportsbar.co.uk and contact Mr Gold via [email protected] or ring 07930 355677.
BREAKS
Lee Whaley: 75, 64, 37, 37.
Mason Wilson: 56.
Simon Bubb: 42.
Riley Ellis: 35.
Alex El-Deweiny: 32.
Will Forster: 31.
Oliver Cooper: 30.
SILVER RESULTS
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Lee Whaley (Hurricane Room, Kings Cross); 2nd, John Donovan (Hurricane Room, Kings Cross); 3rd, Nat Kidner (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 4th, Aeron Moore (Castle SC, Brighton).
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Elliott Johnson (Hurricane Room, Kings Cross); 2nd, Owen Jenkins (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 3rd, Will Forster (Mayfair, Gosport); 4th, Oliver Cooper (Frames, Coulsdon); 5th, Callum White (Waterlooville Sports Bar).
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Riley Ellis (Chandlers Ford SC); 2nd, Samuel Laxton (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 3rd, Simon Bubb (Hurricane Room, Kings Cross); 4th, Mason Wilson (Academy, Basingstoke); 5th, Alex El-Deweiny (Castle SC, Brighton).
QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Whaley 2-0 Forster, Laxton 2-1 Jenkins, Donovan 2-0 Ellis, Johnson 2-1 Bubb.
SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Whaley 2-0 Laxton, Donovan 2-0 Johnson.
FINAL (25/18 points): Whaley 2-0 Donovan.
Picture by Tim Dunkley
John Donovan (left) and Lee Whaley
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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)