First Cuestars success for Bassili

EAST Barnet snooker talent Emilio Bassili has won his first tournament on the Cuestars junior circuit.

The 12-year-old travelled to The Crucible Sports & Social Club, Reading, for the eighth leg of the Under-21 Silver Tour and returned home with the winner’s trophy.

He beat Chandler’s Ford-based Navraj Landa, 14, 2-0 in the final.

Reflecting on his success, Bassili said: “As I had not yet entered a Cuestars tournament this season, I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was really happy with my performance.

“Reading is a club I’d never been to before and, as with all venues, you wonder what the tables will be like and how you would need to adjust your game to suit them.

“I scored really well all day. Scoring a 67 and a 38 in the semi-finals against Zoard (Toth), gave me a huge confidence boost to then go on and beat Navraj in the final.

“I really enjoyed meeting new people and playing my opponents.”

Bassili thanked his coach, Anthony Hamilton; his home club, Whetstone Snooker Club, for sponsoring and supporting him; Don Watson for his continued guidance; and Tugba Irten for mentoring him.

The youngster first appeared on the Cuestars circuit on the Bronze Tour in October, 2023.

Caden Read and Lennon Savage remain one and two in the rankings after they both finished third in their respective groups. Landa stays third but closes the gap to Savage to 11 points.

Alex Scotney, the only player to take a frame off Bassili all day, reached his first semi-final since being promoted from Bronze at the end of last season.

Results are on snookerscores.net.

Chandlers Ford Snooker Club hosts the Silver and Bronze ninth legs of ten on Sunday, March 29. Gold will be at Waterlooville Sports Bar.