Cox steers James to victory
A WOKING teenager reckons his new coach gave him the edge to claim a first winner’s trophy on a regional snooker tour.
Edward James (pictured) said working with Brian Cox for a month had been “a real help”.
The 13-year-old, appearing in only his third event on the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Silver Tour since gaining promotion, defeated Joe Kitchen (Stoke SC, Gosport) 2-0 in the final at Greenbaize Snooker Club, Bournemouth.
“It’s a great win,” he declared. “I played really well.
“I didn’t expect it. There’s loads of good players on the tour.”
Kitchen rattled the pink in the first frame and left a golden opportunity for James to snap up the easy chance and the black, which was also over a pocket.
“Joe was really unlucky,” admitted James. “He left a few over the pockets and didn’t really recover from that in the second frame.”
Remarkably, James dropped only one frame out of 12, to Abhay Chopra (Chandler’s Ford SC) in the group stages.
James defeated last month’s runner-up Reece King (Greenbaize, Bournemouth) to reach his first final.
Callum McDonald (Salisbury SC) leads the rankings.
The fourth leg of eight is at Woking Snooker Centre on Sunday, January 4.
BREAKS
Joe Kitchen: 34.
Callum McDonald: 30.
SILVER RESULTS
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Matt Gillon (Stoke SC, Gosport); 2nd, Canberk Benning (Jesters, Swindon); 3rd, Ally Pollard (Salisbury SC); 4th, Drew Hampshire (147 SC, Swindon).
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Lewis Parnham (SWSA, Gloucester); 2nd, Callum McDonald (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Nat Kidner (Greenbaize SC, Bournemouth). Olly Gibbs (Stoke SC, Gosport) withdrew.
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Reece King (Greenbaize SC, Bournemouth); 2nd, Lee Fitzpatrick (Totton Recreation Club); 3rd, Kaine Petty (Salisbury SC).
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP D: 1st, Edward James (Woking SC); 2nd, Joe Kitchen (Stoke SC, Gosport); 3rd, Abhay Chopra (Chandler’s Ford SC).
QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Kitchen beat Gillon 2-0, King beat McDonald 2-0, James beat Benning 2-0, Parnham beat Fitzpatrick 2-0.
SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Kitchen beat Parnham 2-0, James beat King 2-0.
FINAL (25/18 points): James beat Kitchen 2-0.
Report and picture by Tim Dunkley.