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TWO lads who finished the season with identical points will both be promoted to the elite national tour for the country’s best 48 under-21 players.
Aylesbury ace Sonnie O’Sullivan and Gosport whizz kid Mark Lloyd ended the eight-leg Regional Junior Tour South, run by the English Association of Snooker & Billiards, with 1,081 points each.
O’Sullivan pocketed £100 for seeing off Lloyd 2-1 in the final of the last leg at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club.
The 17-year-old said: “I roughly knew coming into the tournament that if I did better than Dan Knox (Ascot) I would make it into the top three and if I did better than Mark Lloyd I would probably go above him.
“But my main aim was trying to win it and give myself the best chance possible.
“The final was really enjoyable as I just finished my semi-final match when I saw Mark knock Dan Knox out in the other semi.
“Me and Mark have played good matches this season and always gone close and this was another.
“It was a good feeling finishing the season with a win, especially the way it started (failing to qualify from the group stages in the first three events).”
Lloyd, 14, said: “It could’ve gone either way. Sonnie played well though.”
Players are awarded one ranking point for each frame they win in a knockout match that they lose (in an attempt by organisers to avoid ties).
The pair, who also compete on the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Gold Tour, finished joint second behind Thomas Lancastle (Bristol), a quarter-final casualty. An EASB spokesman confirmed that all three will be promoted to the Premier Junior Tour next season.
Both finalists are looking forward to the challenge next season but agree that life with the big boys won’t be easy.
O’Sullivan said: “I’m really happy. Next season will be tough but I’ll work hard over the summer and give it my best shot.”
And Lloyd added: “I’m pleased that I’m up. I’ve just got to improve ready for the new season.
“Good luck to the people who are promoted as well. It was an enjoyable season.”
Elsewhere, Jonny Mutch (Cambridge) collected the high-break prize of £20 for his first half-century.
The 14-year-old, who was born in Thailand, compiled a 50 in the second frame of a fine 2-1 victory over Lloyd in the group stages.
He then lost 2-1 on the final black to the home club’s Luke Beebe, 12, who had recorded his first half-century the previous day.
As the pair had identical records, Beebe went through on the head-to-head rule.
Tim Dunkley
EASB Media Officer South and World Snooker coach
The English Association of Snooker & Billiards is the national governing body for the amateur game in this country. For more information about competitions, rankings lists and results, see www.easb.co.uk.
Aylesbury ace Sonnie O’Sullivan and Gosport whizz kid Mark Lloyd ended the eight-leg Regional Junior Tour South, run by the English Association of Snooker & Billiards, with 1,081 points each.
O’Sullivan pocketed £100 for seeing off Lloyd 2-1 in the final of the last leg at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club.
The 17-year-old said: “I roughly knew coming into the tournament that if I did better than Dan Knox (Ascot) I would make it into the top three and if I did better than Mark Lloyd I would probably go above him.
“But my main aim was trying to win it and give myself the best chance possible.
“The final was really enjoyable as I just finished my semi-final match when I saw Mark knock Dan Knox out in the other semi.
“Me and Mark have played good matches this season and always gone close and this was another.
“It was a good feeling finishing the season with a win, especially the way it started (failing to qualify from the group stages in the first three events).”
Lloyd, 14, said: “It could’ve gone either way. Sonnie played well though.”
Players are awarded one ranking point for each frame they win in a knockout match that they lose (in an attempt by organisers to avoid ties).
The pair, who also compete on the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Gold Tour, finished joint second behind Thomas Lancastle (Bristol), a quarter-final casualty. An EASB spokesman confirmed that all three will be promoted to the Premier Junior Tour next season.
Both finalists are looking forward to the challenge next season but agree that life with the big boys won’t be easy.
O’Sullivan said: “I’m really happy. Next season will be tough but I’ll work hard over the summer and give it my best shot.”
And Lloyd added: “I’m pleased that I’m up. I’ve just got to improve ready for the new season.
“Good luck to the people who are promoted as well. It was an enjoyable season.”
Elsewhere, Jonny Mutch (Cambridge) collected the high-break prize of £20 for his first half-century.
The 14-year-old, who was born in Thailand, compiled a 50 in the second frame of a fine 2-1 victory over Lloyd in the group stages.
He then lost 2-1 on the final black to the home club’s Luke Beebe, 12, who had recorded his first half-century the previous day.
As the pair had identical records, Beebe went through on the head-to-head rule.
Tim Dunkley
EASB Media Officer South and World Snooker coach
The English Association of Snooker & Billiards is the national governing body for the amateur game in this country. For more information about competitions, rankings lists and results, see www.easb.co.uk.
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