Willie Thorne's Under 16's - Grand Finals (December 2007)

[NS Admin]

WILLIE THORNE?S GRAND FINALS UNDER 16?S

ASHRAF EDGES MANN

Kamran Ashraf defeated Mitchell Mann 4-3 to win the Under 16?s Grand Finals, Willie Thorne?s, Leicester.

The current North West Under 19 Champion Ashraf 12th in the rankings from 84 players lost the 1st frame (1-73) to Mann ranked 3rd.

A 40 break (65-5) squared the match, Ashraf then led 2-1 (59-14) with the next two frames shared (31-66) and (61-36) both settled on the latter colours.

Mann seemed to have won the 6th frame easily with a run of 46 but handed Ashraf a unexpected life line knocking the yellow off the table Mann eventually won the frame on the black (55-67).

Ashraf strode away with the decider (100-24) the last frame ever in this age group finishing at 11.30pm after 12 hours overall play.

Ashraf opened his campaign with two 4-1 wins against Thomas Barley, 43 break, Ashraf 91 and Danny Douane, Ashraf 40.

Next two close 4-3 wins firstly over the home clubs James Jelley after leading 3-1, then series winner Kyren Wilson in a good match, Wilson led 3-2 breaks of 48 and 55, Ashraf 42 and 87.   

Mann again struggled to subdue young Adam Bobat 4-3 despite leading 3-1, Mann a 56 break to win the final frame to nil.

Breaks of 46 and 48 saw the international beat Grant Miles 4-2 who had distinguished himself by beating Nick Jennings and Robert Adams 4-3. 

Mann battered England team mate 4-1 in the semi finals with breaks of 52,120,44 and 63.

Wilson scores well

Kyren Wilson scored well again in his first three matches finding breaks of 40,47,81,60,59,42,55 and 65 beating Ashley Sidaway, Tom Kerslake and Callum Downing all 4-1.

Jennings wins plate

Three times finalist Nick Jennings won the plate beating Sam Harvey in his first final 3-0.

Awards presented

Before play commenced awards were presented to rankings winner Kyren Wilson runner up Mitchell Travis.

Great Series Nick Jennings 5th three finals.

Good Series and First Wins James Jelley 4th, Danny Douane 6th, Joel Walker 7th and Sam Craigie 8th.

The Star of the Future went to Adam Bobat 10th age 11.

Change of age range and finals format

The age limit has been lifted to Under 17 for 2008 any player who is under 17 by January 5th 2008 can play in the whole series.

Due to some players pulling out a few days before the finals and one no show which resulted in just 26 players attending.

Next series any player who plays in the 2008 event can play in the Grand Finals however the Top 16 will still be seeded and probably miss a round.

Maplins UK last eight

It was pleasing to note that 5 of the Maplins UK quarter finalists and all four from the semi finals once stood in the lounge where the youngsters in the latest Grand Finals stood.

The Rocket in one event made 3 hundreds to beat Joe Jogia 3-2.

Malcolm Thorne   

Last 32
K.Wilson (Kettering) bt A .Sidaway (Birmingham) 4-1
T.Kerslake (Derby) bye
C.Downing (Birmingham) 41,49 bt 46 B.Cooper (Stoke) 4-3
D.Bestford (Norwich) bt T.Brown (Chesterfield) 4-0
D.Douane (London)
K.Ashraf (Nelson) 91 bt 43 T.Barley (Scunthorpe) 4-1
M.Green (Salisbury) bt M.Richards (Birmingham) 4-1
J.Jelley (Leicester) bt O.Brown (Chesterfield) 4-2
G.Miles (Norwich) bt 46 N.Jennings (Winchester) 4-3
R.Adams (Stoke) bye
A.Bobat (Fareham) bt 79 S.Harvey (Bedford) 4-3
M.Mann (Birmingham) bye
S.Craigie (Newcastle) bt A.Anastasiou (Derby) 4-0
T.Maxfield (Stafford) bt S.Knight (Leicester) 4-1
M.Travis (Scunthorpe) and L.Garland (Birmingham) byes

Last 16
Wilson (40-47) 81,60 bt Kerslake 4-1
Downing 41 bt Bestford 4-0
Ashraf 40 bt Douane 4-1
Jelley bt Green 4-1
Miles bt Adams 4-3
Mann 56 bt Bobat 4-3
Craigie bt Maxfield 4-3
Travis 49 bt Garland 4-0

Quarter finals ?20
Wilson 59,42,55,65 bt Downing 4-1
Ashraf bt 42 Jelley 4-3
Mann 48,46 bt Miles 4-2
Craigie 87 bt Travis 4-2

Semi finals ?30
Ashraf 87,42 bt 55,48 Wilson 4-3
Mann 52,120,44,63 bt Craigie 4-1

Final ?70/?40
Ashraf 40 bt 46 Mann 4-3