The second year of the event, sponsored by the Saffron Snooker Club and REAL, (Ethan Rees Linwood Memorial Fund), was held at the Saffron Snooker Club on the hottest day of the year so far!

However, this did not prevent 11 of our finest juniors turning out in waistcoats and ties.

The standard of play and etiquette was of a high standard and a further improvement from last year, all surveyed under the watchful eyes of qualified referee Mr Bob Lovell and World Snooker Professional, Martin O’Donnell.

Two round robin groups were hard fought, with two places available from each for the semi-finals.

In group 1, Henry Huxter didn’t drop a frame in completing five wins out of five to finish top.  Second place was hotly contested however, with two players (George Huxter and Gabriel) both finishing with three wins out of five. George made 2nd spot on the points scored countback having pipped Gabriel by just three points!

Group 2 was even more competitively fought. Kieran Ford, Ryan Bemister and Joe Jenner-Bailey all finishing with three wins in a group that no one could predict who was going to come out on top. On points count back, Joe finished top, with Kieran taking second spot and Ryan not far behind.

The semi-finals were pre-drawn such that the winner of each group played the runner up of the other group.

Those who didn’t qualify entered the quick fire six reds plate competition.  This did not disappoint, with Arthur Rule, Gabriel, Sam and Ryan Bemister emerging into the semi-finals.

After tight and tense semis, the final was a “Battle of the Bemisters” as younger brother Sam took on the old hand, Ryan. The final went down to the pink but Ryan showed why he was so close to qualify from the group by sinking the pink to take the prize.

Meanwhile, the semis of the Championship itself were unfolding on the show tables.  By this time a sizeable crowd had arrived and things were getting a little tense.

In semi 1, Kieran got off to a flyer in the first frame and had Henry looking worried. It was a match of fine quality, including a break in the twenties by Henry. The match was somewhat closer than the 2-0 score line might suggest and whilst Henry progressed to the final, Kieran showed how dedication to technique leads to continued improvement. 

In Semi 2, the pre-tournament favourite, Joe, was being put under the cosh by the pocket rocket, George, the second youngest competitor at 10 years old. In another match that was closer than many would have thought, Joe’s experience took him through to a 2-0 victory, but not without some hairy moments….

After the conclusion of the semi’s the players were given a break whilst the resident professional, Martin O’Donnell, gave a demonstration of his smooth cueing that all the boys should aspire to, in a short exhibition match.

So it was a repeat of last year’s final between Joe Jenner-Bailey and Henry Huxter. Henry got off to a quick start and took the first frame with some good break building and tight safety play.

In the second it was looking like Henry would go one step further than last year to lift the trophy, needing just one ball from the remaining colours. However, Joe stepped up with a tremendous pressure clearance of 22 to level things up at 1-1.

The final frame was a nail biting affair but with both players producing some excellent play under pressure, including a rallying 23 break from Henry to get him back in the frame.

Like last year, in a fitting way to end such a great tournament, it all came down to a black ball finish, with Joe holding his nerve to take the title for the second year running. At only 12 years old, one feels sure that Henry’s time will come after two years of taking runner up spot.

Congratulations to all the boys for looking so smart and playing so well when it really mattered. There were a string of breaks in the teens and twenties, with the highest of the day a 29 by Joe, earning him the high break prize.

Academy Coach, Russell Huxter made his traditional “Player of the Day” award to Arthur Rule, who never stopped smiling from 10.30am until close at 6.30pm.

Thanks go to Saffron Snooker Club, REAL, Kevin Starr, Martin O’Donnell, Bob Lovell and the parents and spectators for providing their time and support to the event. We hope that the second year success will continue with more entries for next year!