Riley Ellis wins £475
A 14-YEAR-OLD from Wiltshire has scooped a massive £475 for winning a six-month snooker competition.
Long-time leader Riley Ellis was forced to keep the champagne on ice during a nail-biting final few matches of the 26th week.
But it all came good in the end for the teenager who makes a 120-mile round trip from his home in Clyffe Pypard, near Royal Wootton Bassett, to Chandlers Ford Snooker Club, just outside Southampton, every Saturday.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Ellis said: “It’s been really good.”
He was declared champion of the handicapped Open Series when Riccardo Drayton knocked out title contender David Stewart in the second round of the final tournament.
Ellis, who is sponsored by Swindon-based Save On Tyres, is currently in third place on the Cuestars Under-21 Silver Tour and tenth on the EASB Regional Junior Tour South.
Former Cuestars Masters (55+) champion Stewart pocketed £405 for finishing second. Third-placed Steven Hughes, who competes on the Gold Tour, picked up £320.
A total of £2,115 was paid out for Series 25. Record prize money of £2,235 is up for grabs in the new series which starts at 1pm on Saturday (March 2). The top prize has been increased to a whopping £500.
The format is a straight knockout, usually best-of-three frames, with a Plate for players losing their first match. Subject to availability, there are free practice tables until both finals are finished. Entry is £10. Non-members pay an extra £3. Handicaps are amended every week by a clever spreadsheet.
The standard ranges from 20 break to multi-century makers. It’s open to boys and girls and men and women of any age.
Series 25 included players on the World Women’s Snooker circuit, World Disability Billiards and Snooker circuit, World Seniors Tour, EASB Premier and Regional Tours, and all of the Cuestars Tours. But it also included youngsters progressing from the Saturday morning Under-13 League, local league players and beginners playing in their first-ever competition.
For more information, ring the club on 02380 254834 or email [email protected].
Prize money distribution: £475 Riley Ellis (Clyffe Pypard, North Wilts); £405 David Stewart (Odiham); £320 Steven Hughes (Chandler’s Ford); £230 Riccardo Drayton (Chandler’s Ford); £145 Neil Carroll (Rownhams); £145 Zak Truscott (Waterlooville); £100 O’Shay Scott (Eastleigh); £80 Ryan Hughes (Chandler’s Ford); £65 Callum White (Havant); £55 Will Forster (Gosport); £50 Jamie Wilson (Havant); £22.50 Oliver Sykes (Chandler’s Ford); £22.50 Dan Hammond (Winchester).
Picture by Tim Dunkley
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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)