England Complete Clean Snooker Sweep

English sides continued to dominate the 2015 HIBSF Home Internationals at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds with success in both junior snooker categories.

Following English triumphs in the Main and Masters Championships earlier on in the week, the hosts’ under-16 and under-21 teams went undefeated to claim the titles.

Ashley Carty, Louis Heathcote, Joe O’Connor, Haydon Pinhey and Brandon Sargeant were just too strong for the fellow home nations and European opposition in the under-21’s.

They began with a 6-6 draw against Wales – the team that would end up being their closest rivals come the final standings.

Winning ways were not far around the corner, though, as they recorded comfortable victories over Scotland 10-2, Northern Ireland 11-1 and France 9-3.

Going into the final day, three teams could still top the table, although England had destiny in their own hands over the Republic of Ireland and Wales outfits.

Belgium were defeated 9-3, leaving the hosts requiring only a draw against the Irish – who could no longer win the title having lost to Wales – later in the day. They went better with a 9-3 win to secure the championship.

Scotland’s Chris Totten came top of the individual stats with 16 frame wins out of 18. Pinhey recorded the highest break with an effort of 111.

The under-16 outfit of Ryan Davies, Mark Lloyd, Riley Parsons and Chae Ross was even more emphatic in its successful challenge.

They defeated Northern Ireland 10-2, Belgium 10-2, Wales 9-3, Republic of Ireland 8-4 and Scotland 10-2 to go through the card with a 100% record.

Ross was the individual MVP having lost just one frame. Teammate Parsons’ 89 was the event’s highest break.

Written by Michael Day, published on the 13th August 2015.