Ashbolt charges to first title

THE tournament will miss me. Champion Lee Ashbolt’s parting words as he bowed out of the Chandler’s Ford £1,000 Under-21 Roll-Up.

Chandler's Ford SC Under-21 Roll-Up champion Lee Ashbolt

A record points total, a record 15 finals and a record ten tournament wins has seen the outspoken 21-year-old achieve his dream of a first title.

“I said I was going to win it,” he smiled. “I’ve worked really hard for it. When I set myself out to do something I always try my absolute best to accomplish it.”

Ashbolt, who works at the HSBC, joined the competition in January, 2006, and won three of the next four finals. He lost out on a first title in the final week of series nine but, with a single-minded determination to succeed, committed himself to being crowned champion before reaching the age limit.

“I didn’t feel as if I was prepared properly then,” Ashbolt explained. “This 20 weeks my mind was focused on one thing. I went to the gym three times a week and practised about five times a week.

“I’m going to miss the tournament because I am the most competitive person in the world. It’s a shame, but everything comes to an end. The tournament will miss me.”

Final positions: Lee Ashbolt (Shirley) £200, Billy Castle (Marchwood) £150, Dan Hildyard (Fair Oak) £100, Daniel Woods (Hedge End) £90, Peter Maraziotis (West End) £75, Ollie Tydeman (C/Ford) £75, Jason Hildyard (Fair Oak) £55, Shane Castle (Marchwood) £47, Jordan Winbourne (Hedge End) £47, Arron McIntyre (Hiltingbury) £40, Lee Roling (C/Ford) £32, Kevin Impett (Totton) £32, Alex Dunkley (Bursledon) £18, John Smith (Otterbourne) £18, Jordan Sainsbury (C/Ford) £18.

Picture: Kevin Legg