Zain keeps it in the family

TOOTING teenager Zain Jeraj pocketed £150 in prize money for winning a junior snooker tournament that was sponsored by his dad, Tan.

The 15-year-old made a “last minute” decision to enter the sixth leg of the Cuestars Under-21 Gold Tour at Waterlooville Sports Bar.

And he ended a long day by beating Ryan Spratt 2-0 in the final.

Jeraj, who had lost to Spratt in the round-robin group stage, said: “Today went very well towards the business end of the tournament, although it was slow to start with, so I’m glad I picked up by playing stronger towards the semi-final and final.

“Controlling my temperament when playing bad was key to my silverware.”

Explaining his late decision to make the trip south, he added: “I’m delighted to have won as we were not actually planning to attend initially. Being in year 11 with GCSEs to work for means sacrificing some snooker this season and practising a lot less.

“Dad and I decided, rather last minute, that I should attend the Waterlooville leg as it’s closer to home than the others are for us.

“It’s reminded me of what I know I can do and kept me believing in why I still play and compete at tournament level.

“Playing at, and supporting, Cuestars events has always been truly special.”

For the second successive leg, Spratt recorded the day’s highest break of 81 – in his semi-final victory over Will Forster.

Spratt, who is sponsored by Southampton-based Rocket Ronnie’s and returned from the World Snooker Federation Junior Championship in Bulgaria the previous day, now jointly leads the rankings with Forster. John Donovan is third.

Jeraj overcame another two lads – Noah Gartell and William Thomson, who were also in Bulgaria last week – in the knockout.

All results are on snookerscores.net.

Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon, hosts the seventh leg of ten on Sunday, February 15.