First PJT quarter-final for Sonnie

SONNIE O’Sullivan made his first quarter-final appearance on the EASB Premier Junior Tour in the third leg at Cueball Derby.

The Cuestars Gold Tour player from Aylesbury accounted for Josh Cooper (Oldham) 4-3 in the last-16 before going out 4-1 to Nico Elton (Sheffield).

Three other Gold players were also in action.

Mark Lloyd finished fourth out of five in his group but did take a frame off rankings leader Joe O’Connor (Leicester).

James Budd was third in his group of four, which was won by O’Sullivan.

And Ronnie Blake finished bottom of his four-man group despite beating group winner Louis Heathcote (Leicester) 3-2.

O’Sullivan pocketed £40 and climbed to 13th in the rankings. Budd is 16th, Lloyd 19th and Blake 27th.

A total of 89 breaks of 50 or more, including ten centuries, were scored by the country’s best young players over the two-day tournament.

The fourth leg of six is at Q’s Sports Entertainment Bar, Manchester, on April 2 and 3.

Report by Tim Dunkley.