Ayan Roy claims first ever tournament win

FOREST Hill snooker starlet Ayan Roy admitted he never thought winning a tournament was possible.

But the ten-year-old reckons he now has the confidence to claim more trophies after his maiden success on the Cuestars Under-21 Bronze Tour.

Roy defeated rankings leader Zain Jeraj (Tooting) 2-0 in the final of the fourth leg at Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon.

And he made his highest competitive break of 21 during the day.

Roy, who practises at home and plays matches at Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon, explained what the victory meant to him and thanked those who helped make it possible.

He said: “When I potted the pink to secure the match, I was over the moon. I feel like I played very well that day.

“Before that day, I thought that I would be someone in Cuestars that plays and is not able to win anything. But now, since I have won one, it has given me the confidence that I can win more.

“I would like to thank my dad (Amit) for believing in me every day and helping me get better over the six months I have been playing.

“I would also like to thank my (WPBSA) coach Brian Cox for teaching me to have a consistent pre-shot routine and discipline, without which I wouldn’t have won.”

Meanwhile, Jeraj now has an outright lead at the top of the rankings. Thomas McEvoy (Warminster) and Daniel Walter (Portsmouth) are seven points further back in joint second place.

Ellise Scott (Eastleigh) recorded the day’s highest break of 22 and qualified for the knockout for the first time. Walter made a last-four exit for the third time this season. And Finn Kirby (Rowlands Castle) lost 2-1 on the black to Roy in the second semi.

The event was sponsored by trophy supplier Don Rogers Sports (www.donrogerssports.co.uk) and Swindon-based window cleaners Clean Cut (www.clean-cut.co.uk)

Fareham Snooker Club hosts the fifth leg of eight on Sunday, March 20.

BREAKS

Ellise Scott: 23.
Ayan Roy: 21(PB).

BRONZE RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Zain Jeraj (London Snooker); 2nd, Zach Moritz (Hurricane Room, Kings Cross); 3rd, Ellise Scott (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, Tyler Beer (Chandlers Ford SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Ayan Roy (Frames, Coulson); 2nd, Daniel Walter (Mayfair, Gosport); 3rd, Thomas McEvoy (Salisbury SC); 4th, Samuel Walter (Mayfair, Gosport); 5th, Ben Scammell (Salisbury SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Finn Kirby (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 2nd, Will Kempson (Salisbury SC); 3rd, George Laxton (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 4th, Jaydon Elliott (147, Swindon); 5th, Dylan Beer (Chandlers Ford SC).

QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Jeraj 2-0 McEvoy, D Walter 2-1 Kempson, Roy 2-1 Scott, Kirby 2-0 Moritz.

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Jeraj 2-0 D Walter, Roy 2-1 Kirby.

FINAL (25/18 points): Roy 2-0 Jeraj.

Picture: Ayan Roy (left) and Roy Elliott, from Clean Cut.