“Unbelievable” start for Merwood

A 12-year-old from Salisbury said it was “unbelievable” after winning his first snooker tournament.

Harry Merwood triumphed in the opening leg of the 2025/26 Cuestars Under-21 Bronze Tour.

Remarkably, he hadn’t qualified from his round-robin group during the whole of his rookie season.

But he started his second year on the regional junior tour with a winner’s trophy after edging Lewis Harris 2-1 in the final on home tables at Salisbury Snooker Club.

It was the first frame he had dropped all day.

“I was really nervous,” admitted Merwood. “I’m absolutely relieved – unbelievable. It’s been a really good day.”

But did he think he could win when he reached the knockout for the first time in his snooker career?

“I felt like I could when I won in the quarters,” he said.

Merwood won all three round-robin frames and defeated Toby Phillips and Vincent Callender by 2-0 scorelines in the knockout.

Harris (Bordon), who competes in the junior leagues at Waterlooville Sports Bar and Chandlers Ford Snooker Club, had never been past the last-16 before.

Earlier, Jack Miller (Thatcham), who was knocked out 2-0 by Harris in the semi-finals, increased his highest break to 35 against Callender (Frimley Green) in the round-robin group stage.

Phillips (Chandler’s Ford) and Kera Russell (Salisbury) were making their Cuestars debuts. Jack Allen (Bristol), who entered last season’s Bronze Championship, was competing in his first ranking event.

The event was sponsored by Salisbury SC (salisburysnookerclub.co.uk).

Chandlers Ford Snooker Club hosts the second leg of ten on Sunday, October 5.

BREAKS

Jack Miller: 35(PB).
Vincent Callender: 27, 23, 22, 22.
Lewis Thomson: 24.
Jack Allen: 24.
Harry Merwood: 23.
Charlie Ings: 20.

BRONZE RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Charlie Ings (Salisbury SC); 2nd, Chester Chan (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Alfie Wyatt (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 4th, Jack Allen (Warmley SC, Bristol); 5th, Lewis Thomson (Chandlers Ford SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Harry Merwood (Salisbury SC); 2nd, Oliver Callow (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Harvey Denieffe (Hurricane Room, Kings Cross); 4th, Toby Walker (Castle SC, Brighton).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Vincent Callender (Woking SC); 2nd, Jack Miller (Crucible, Newbury); 3rd, Aariz Tariq (Shades Sports Bar, Deptford); 4th, Kera Russell (Salisbury SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP D: 1st, Lewis Harris (Chandlers Ford SC); 2nd, Toby Phillips (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Tyler Heard (Shots, Watford); 4th, Stanley Sims (Woking Cons).

QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Miller 2-0 Ings, Harris 2-0 Callow, Merwood 2-0 Phillips, Callender 2-1 Chan.

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Harris 2-0 Miller, Merwood 2-0 Callender.

FINAL (25/18 points): Merwood 2-1 Harris.