THE prize winners in the Scottish Youth Snooker Association took centre-stage at their last night of the season when the Scottish Finals were played in the match-play room in the World of Snooker in Chesser.
This magnificent facility is provided free of charge by the family of snooker legend Bert Demarco, 83, pictured on the left of the group.
Other officials from this vibrant association that promotes the game so well among young people throughout S
cotland are Paul Marinello, Locarno Snooker Club, and Mike Leslie, from the Bonnyrigg Snooker Club.
The Scottish final was won by the very talented Ross Muir, 12, from Musselburgh. This gifted young prodigy showed quite remarkable coolness, confidence and skill on his way to beating Jamie Stewart (Dumfries) by four frames to one.
After losing the first frame 39-24, Muir went on to dominate the final before a packed turnout in the elegant match-play room. Muir won the second frame 64-16, then went ahead when taking the third frame by 65-30 before going 3-1 in front when winning 64-23 in the fourth frame.
The Musselburgh pot-shot then wrapped up the title with an equally impressive 60-26 win in the final frame of what was a truly glittering occasion for the SYSA.
This was Muir's second cup win in four days as he had previously beaten schoolmate Greg Ritchie 4-2 in the final of a local event in Musselburgh.
To complete a fantastic weekend for the game of snooker in the East of Scotland, Muir beat his pal Ritchie 5-4 in the final of the Scottish Snooker Under-14 event in Glasgow. And, in another stunning triumph, Michael Leslie (Bonnyrigg Snooker Club) became the Scottish No.1 in the under-16 age group when he beat Scott Donaldson in the final of their age group in the Scottish National events in Glasgow.
Mike Leslie, one of the leading people in promoting the game in the East of Scotland, said: "I think these two latest successes are great for the game in the East of Scotland. It is a tremendous feat by both young players and we now have two National Champions."
HONOURS LIST
Stirling Open: Michael Leslie.
Glasgow Open: Axl Menlove.
Fife Open: Michael Leslie.
Dumfries Open: Michael Leslie.
Edinburgh Open: Michael Leslie.
Scottish Championship: Ross Muir.
MICHAEL Leslie was also awarded for his break of 101 in the Glasgow Open. The Personality of the Year award went to Ethan Lane, ten, who was presented with a framed picture of himself with Scots cue star Stephen McGuire.
The full article contains 439 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
