EASB Premier Tour Event 1 2007_08

ENGLISH PREMIER JUNIOR TOUR EVENT 1

Northern SC – Leeds

Adam Duffy, Eckington, Sheffield unbeaten at the recent Home Internationals continued his fine form to deservedly win the 1st English Premier Junior Tour of the season at the Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds defeating Steven Gregson, York 4-2 in a North v South Yorkshire final.

Gregson also an international led 2-0 in the final Duffy responded with breaks of 64,59 and 52 to win the next four frames comfortably to reward his display over the whole week end.

Frame scores ; (26-67),(21-75), 64(89-15),(61-28),59(87-21),52(61-26) = 4-2

Duffy won all three of his matches in the Sunday knockout stage 4-1 beating Darrell Whitworth with breaks of 44 and 65, Kyren Wilson 43 and 59 breaks and Jack Lisowski with efforts of 61 and 64.

Duffy made 14 breaks over fifty during the event three of them during a 3-0 blast of international and EASB Under 16 Champion Lisowski 88,135 and 78 the loser scoring just one point, Duffy also made a 134 break in the round robins the only two century’s in the tournament (See break charts).

Runner up Gregson won his last 16 match against Callum Waite 4-0, 46 break then came back from 3-1 down to defeat Kamran Ashraf 4-3 winning the 5th frame by a point, a 43 break to settle the result, Ashraf had beaten Michael Wasley 4-1.

In the semi finals Gregson accounted for long time England junior star Stephen Craigie 4-2, Gregson made a losing break of 55 in the 1st frame, Craigie 89 for 2-2, Gregson sealing the match on the black in the 6th frame.

Richard Binns, Leeds made home advantage count claiming the best record in the round robins on the Saturday, unbeaten winning 15 of his 17 frames in a tough group however young Sam Craigie dumped him 4-0 in the last 16 with scores of 40,47 and 48, Sam then lost 4-1 to his elder brother Stephen.

Also unbeaten as group winners Kyren Wilson, Duffy of course, Stuart Carrington 2nd best record 15/3, Darren Bond, Gregson and Ashraf, Liam Highfield the only group winner to lose a match.

Surprisingly Mitchell Mann failed to make the last 16 as did Daniel McCann, Alex Dunkley and English Under 19 winner John Astley although none of the players in the field this season will be pushovers in the stronger tour.

The rankings will be the main basis for selecting players for international duty.

Next event - 27th and 28th October, Keynsham SC, Bristol.

For all EASB News/results/reports/event details see www.englishsnooker.com