Lucky Kevins first win

Kevin Impett

The Totton teenager fulfilled a 15-month dream with a cross-doubled black that clinched the deciding frame against Eastleigh’s Will Baird.
“I took the risk because everyone always says I’m so lucky,” said Impett, who also chalked up a new high break in the semis.

Needing one of the last four colours for victory, the 15-year-old watched in horror as Baird, 17, cleared brown to pink and nudged the black into an easy position.
But Baird missed and pushed it safe.

The left-hander took a 1-0 lead with a 44, one short of his highest. Impett levelled with a 35.

Impett had appeared in only one final before. In October, 2006, Baird clinched a first tournament win, beating Impett in a deciding frame.

In a 3-0 last-four victory over Jordan Sainsbury, 14, Impett missed the black for a 52 clearance. He scored 3-0 wins against Jamie Owens, 15, and Ollie Tydeman, 17, and beat Lee Ashbolt in the quarters.

“I was pleased to beat Lee Ashbolt 3-2. Finally did it. He always beats me every single time,” added Impett, who climbed to fourth at the halfway stage of the 20-week handicapped series.

Impett played his first competitive match in April last year. He also competes in the £2,500 Senior Roll-Up, the Eastleigh & District Under-18 Premier and made his Winchester City & District Premier debut this season. The former Hounsdown School-boy starts a BTEC sports course at Totton College in September.
 
Under-13 champion Jordan Winbourne recorded a first-round win for the first time in five weeks. The 11-year-old from Botley beat Southampton singles champion Alex Dunkley 3-1. Jordan rattled in a 38 against rankings leader Shane Castle but lost the frame. Nine-year-old Shane took a 2-0 lead with a 51 and ran out a 3-0 winner. Baird ended Shane’s run in a fifth-frame semi-final decider.

Lee Roling was also one point from his highest break. The 16-year-old potted a 60 in a 3-2 defeat by Arron McIntyre (Hiltingbury). Tydeman saw off newcomer Sam Barton, 14, with a 59 in the Plate but lost in the semis to Daniel Woods who missed a black on 48. Hedge End’s Woods, 16, beat John Smith (Otterbourne) 2-1 in the final.

Picture: Kevin Legg