Ellis completes Gold double in his final junior event

RILEY Ellis ended his ten-year junior snooker career by competing the Cuestars Under-21 Gold Tour double in his last event.

The 21-year-old from Swindon, who clinched the rankings title three weeks previously, beat John Donovan 2-1 in the Championship final at Jesters Snooker Club in his home town.

Ellis said: “I had a lot of confidence and was feeling that I was playing much better today than I have been for months.

“I was pleased that I finished it with a win.”

And was he able to bow out of the junior game with a smile on his face?

“For once, yes,” he laughed. “It makes a change, especially after the last few months. It’s been a big struggle. I’m glad to play a bit more like my usual self.”

Ellis received his trophy from retiring professional Joe Perry and played an exhibition frame against him. But Perry was in no mood to go easy and won 96-0.

Donovan (Camden Town) actually beat Ellis in the round-robin group stage and recorded the day’s highest break of 75.

Ellis, who was playing in his 99th Cuestars under-21 tournament, is the first player in the competition’s 16-year-history to have completed the hat-trick of the Gold, Silver and Bronze ranking titles.

He thanked his sponsor, Swindon-based Save On Tyres, who have supported him for a decade.

The event was sponsored by Jesters Snooker Club (www.jesterssnooker.co.uk).

BREAKS

John Donovan: 75.
Riley Ellis: 57.
Ryan Spratt: 46.

GOLD RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP: 1st, John Donovan (Hurricane Room, Colindale); 2nd, Riley Ellis (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Ryan Spratt (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, Asten Sahota (Chandlers Ford SC); 5th, Zain Jeraj (London Snooker, Tooting).

SEMI-FINALS: Donovan 2-0 Sahota, Ellis 2-1 Spratt.

FINAL: Ellis 2-1 Donovan.