Zain claims first ever trophy

AN 11-year-old snooker player from Tooting spoke like a professional after winning his first tournament.

Zain Jeraj thanked his parents, his coach and even God following his 2-0 victory over Swindon-based Jaydon Elliott in the final.

The budding star survived a black-ball game in the second frame to clinch the second leg of the Cuestars Under-21 Bronze Tour at Chandlers Ford Snooker Club.

Jeraj, who practises at London Snooker, explained that his success would not have been possible without his support team.

He said: “I feel blessed to have all this potential and to be able to lift up this silverware. I was confident. I knew I would do well if I put my mind to it.

“My dad (Tan) played a big role in me getting this trophy. Not only has he paid for my coaching (with Brian Cox), he’s also taught me a lot whilst I’ve been playing this game. And without him I wouldn’t have come here and without him I wouldn’t have this (trophy).

And he added: “Brian has been an amazing coach.”

But he still wasn’t finished: “I’d like to thank my mum (Tess) who’s also been kind because I’ve had to go to my snooker club and she would take care of the other two children.

“God has blessed me with everything I have and without him I wouldn’t even be alive.”

It was a second runner-up trophy for Elliott, who made his first Cuestars appearance in April, 2018. He beat Ryan Kneller (Waterlooville) in the last-four of the event sponsored by Pitman Training.

Islington brothers Donraj and Aaron Gola enjoyed successful debuts. Donraj beat Jeraj in the group stages and lost to Kneller in the quarter-finals. And Aaron topped his round-robin group but went out to Jeraj in the last-four.

Chandlers Ford SC pair Asten Sahota and Caden Read jointly lead the rankings.

Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon, hosts the third leg of six on Sunday, August 29.

For more information about Pitman Training, go to www.pitman-training.com.

BREAKS

Zain Jeraj: 25.
Donraj Gola: 22, 21.
Ryan Kneller: 22.
Jaydon Elliott: 20.

BRONZE RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Aaron Gola (Hurricane Room, Kings Cross); 2nd, Jaydon Elliott (147 SC, Swindon); 3rd, Caden Read (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, George Knowles (Northfleet Traders Club, Gravesend).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Donraj Gola (Hurricane Room, Kings Cross); 2nd, Zain Jeraj (London Snooker); 3rd, Thomas McEvoy (Salisbury SC); 4th, Dylan Beer (Chandlers Ford SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Chris Bennett (Chandlers Ford SC); 2nd, Asten Sahota (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Ryan Kneller (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 4th, Rhys Pearce (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 5th, Tyler Beer (Chandlers Ford SC).

QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): A Gola 2-0 McEvoy, Jeraj 2-0 Sahota, Kneller 2-1 D Gola, Elliott 2-1 Bennett.

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Jeraj 2-1 A Gola, Elliott 2-1 Kneller.

FINAL (25/18 points): Jeraj 2-0 Elliott.

Picture by Tim Dunkley

From left: Zain Jeraj, Paul Lawrence (from event sponsor Pitman Training), Jaydon Elliott.