Wallace proves you have to be in it to win it
A TEENAGER from Gosport received a just reward for having the confidence in his own ability to compete on a regional snooker circuit.
Brett Wallace picked up his first winner’s trophy in only his fourth event on the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Silver Tour.
The 16-year-old, who made his debut in February in Havant, beat rankings runner-up Charlie Pringle 2-1 in the final of the tenth and last leg at Salisbury Snooker Club.
“I’m happy with my first win,” said Wallace. “It’s been a very long day.”
And explaining his decision to step up from club competitions, he added: “I was aware of (Cuestars) but didn’t really have the confidence to play.
“But as I’ve improved recently, I felt like I may as well just play and see what happens.”
Wallace finished fourth in the seven-man round-robin group and qualified for the knockout by winning a third-frame decider against 12-year-old Bowen Zhu (Chandlers Ford).
He then defeated rankings champion Ryan Hughes (Chandler’s Ford) 2-1 in the last-four of the event sponsored by Attic Life.
Known for his attacking style, Wallace, who is based at Fareham Snooker Club, admitted there was even the “rare sight” of a safety game in the final.
Pringle (Chandler’s Ford) reached his seventh final in ten outings this season by overcoming Kaine Petty (Fordingbridge) 2-0 in the second semi.
The top-16 ranked players will be invited to the championship play-off on finals day on Sunday, May 14, at Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon. World number 34 Mark Davis will present the trophies and play exhibition frames against all the champions.
For more information about loft conversion experts Attic Life, visit www.atticlife.co.uk.
BREAKS
Charlie Pringle: 43, 41.
Ryan Hughes: 34, 30.
Brett Wallace: 34.
SILVER RESULTS
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Ryan Hughes (Chandler’s Ford SC); 2nd, Charlie Pringle (Chandler’s Ford SC); 3rd, Kaine Petty (Salisbury SC); 4th, Brett Wallace (Fareham SC); 5th, Bowen Zhu (Chandler’s Ford SC); 6th, Nat Kidner (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 7th, Ally Pollard (Salisbury SC).
SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Pringle 2 Petty 0, Wallace 2 Hughes 1.
FINAL (25/18 points): Wallace 2 Pringle 1.
Picture by Tim Dunkley.
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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)