GLOBAL SNOOKER NEWS

Gary Wilson rounded off his amateur career in style, lifting high the World under 21 trophy, after completing an 11-5 victory over Thailand’s Kobkit Palajin in a high quality final.

Wilson followed in the footsteps of previous winners including Ronnie O’Sullivan, Peter Ebdon, Marco Fu and Ken Doherty, who attended the opening ceremony and reminisced on how much he treasured his win. Doherty remains the only player to win the World Under 21, the IBSF World and the World Professional titles.

Wilson, twice an England Under 18 Champion,  received his trophy at a sumptuous closing ceremony at the Dolmen Hotel, from the last Irish winner, Rodney Goggins, who like Wilson, makes his Main Tour debut in September.

The first frame went to Wilson courtesy of a 53 clearance and Palajin drew level with a run of 44. Breaks of 100 and 61 opened a two frame lead for the Englishman, but Palajin pegged him back again, snatching frame five on the pink and drawing level with a run of 89.

A break of 64 gave Wilson the lead again, but he lost a dramatic eighth frame. Having opened with 65, Wilson let Palajin in and the Thai player produced a 55 clearance to take the frame on the black.

A low key ninth went to Wilson on the colours and he rounded off the first session with a thumping 135 total clearance to lead 6-4.

Palajin opened the final session with a superb 124 clearance, after Wilson broke down early, in the balls.

But that effort proved to be the last impression he could make on the match. Wilson went up through the gears. Having comfortably won the twelfth frame, he opened a three frame gap, clearing with 64 after Palajin had set out with a run of 44.

That set back broke the back of the Thai’s resistence and Wilson ran in 40 to take the next and then constructed a thrilling 142 total clearance to stand on the brink of victory. And victory wasn’t long in coming as he came from 38 behind in the sixteenth, sealing victory with a match-winning run of 63.

The quality of snooker throughout the event bodes well for the future of the sport. The World’s leading juniors are the future of the game and the product looks to be in safe hands. The standard on the table and behaviour off the table was exemplary from all players, every one of whom, win or lose, was a credit to their country and to their sport.

Such was the level of interest and the prestige of the event that the audience boasted several interested spectators from the professional game. Ken Doherty, holder of all the world titles during his career, attended the opening ceremony, while Ireland’s former World Under 21 champion Rodney Goggins came along to support the event and the Irish players. Former World Professional Champion Terry Griffiths travelled from Wales to enjoy the matches and meet the players and their families, and was spotted happily chatting to parents, as well as being thoroughly absorbed by the play on the table.

 Former World Billiards Champions Michael Ferreira and Peter Gilchrist were also on hand to guide their players from India and Singapore through the event. Former World Top 16 star Eugene Hughes also came along to support the event and enjoy a chat with old friends, but it was the parade of young talent on the table that was the most encouraging.

The field included the current IBSF World Champion Pankaj Advani, the European Champion Mark Allen and the European Under 19 Champion Jamie Jones and the World Ladies number one Reanne Evans. Fourteen of the field were aged sixteen or under with quarter finalist Michael White being just thirteen and semi finalist Judd Trump only fourteen. And fourteen of the Asian players in the field travel to Malaysia in September to contest the Asian Under 21 championship. That also promises to be a high quality feast of snooker.

A huge debt of thanks is owed by all those players to Jim Leacy, RIBSA and the Ivy Rooms, Carlow for taking on the event at very short notice, after China withdrew, and staging a superb event, with excellent conditions and flawless organisation from tournament director Geraldine MacGillivary.

RESULTS: Frame Scores:

99-11, 27-66, 106(100)-14, 69(61c)-38, 57-69, 0-104(89), 81(64)-28, 66(65)-68(55c), 62-42, 135(135)-0,
Second Session: 16-124(124c), 91-23, 80(64)-44(44), 65-53, 142(142)-0, 75(63)-38

RESOURCES: PHOTO FILE - RESULTS