FINANCIAL back-up from LG Computers spurred Peter Maraziotis to end a 15-month losing run in the Chandler’s Ford £1,000 Under-21 Roll-Up.

Peter Maraziotis

The 19-year-old from West End thanked his new sponsor for the motivation to succeed moments after recording a first final victory for 66 competitions.

Maraziotis, who starts a Winchester University sports psychology course in September, said: “The amount of times I’ve lost, I don’t want to think about it too much. I was trying to stay positive and just grind my way through it.”

The former Barton Peveril student reached the semi-final with a 3-1 victory over Lee Roling, 16, and fired in 51 in a fifth-frame decider against Arron McIntyre (Hiltingbury) before seeing off Alex Dunkley 2-1.

Already sponsored by one uncle, Peter Loizou MD of Regal Cars, Maraziotis has now signed a deal with another. Louis Loizou, who founded the Inner Avenue-based computer consultants 22 years ago, said: “It was an achievement for him to do it. We’ve given him the chance; we just want to see him progress. I’m just amazed that a member of our family has a talent for [snooker]”

Maraziotis will now join former England international Mike Finn and North Baddesley’s Mark McLean on the Pro-Ticket Tour and plans to compete on the EASB Southern Regional Junior Tour.

He said: “For about a month I didn’t really pick up a cue. My new sponsor LG Computers has given me more motivation and I’m now keen to progress and be successful. With two sponsors to my name it makes me feel privileged and I feel I have to prove myself a bit more to repay their faith in me.”

Dunkley knocked in breaks of 68 and 51 in a semis victory over Jordan Sainsbury, 14. Nine-year-old rankings leader Shane Castle suffered a record third handicap cut of the series but despite a first-round exit leads Dan Hildyard by 19 points with four competitions left. Third-placed Billy Castle edged closer to Hildyard, 16, after beating the three-time Roll-Up champion 2-0 in the Plate final. The 15-year-old hammered in 61 against Craig Wilson, 12, and beat cousin Shane 3-0 in the semis. 

Picture: Kevin Legg