AT just nine years old, an Islander recently claimed his first victory on the Cuestars U21 Bronze Tour in south London.
Archie Greier, who felt “tired but happy” at the end of a momentous weekend, recorded a new highest break of 34 one day prior.
In preparation for the Cuestars event, Greier appeared at the Open Series at Chandlers Ford Snooker Club, near Southampton.
He continued that momentum to London and looked fearless and assured as he wrapped up a 2-0 victory in the final over 17-year-old Jack Squires in the Bronze final at Frames Sports Bar in Coulsdon.
Needing the last three colours in the second frame, he potted the blue before slotting a long pink and a long black.
On facing the final black, Greier said to himself: “I’m just going to get it,” but he added that he was “relieved” to see it disappear into the pocket.
The Islander, who attends Samarès School and is based at the First Tower Billiards & Snooker Club in St Helier, works with Aaron Canavan – the 2018 World Seniors champion – in the Island, and World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association Coach Tim Dunkley at Chandlers Ford SC.
Dunkley attended Greier’s victory and said: “The way Archie took the last three colours will live long in our memories.
“To pull out shots like that at 9.30pm is quite something.
“His parents, Howard and Lorna, have made a huge commitment to fly their talented son to the mainland at least ten times a year to compete on the junior circuit. But days like these make that all worthwhile.
“And he seems to beat his highest break every time he pops over to the mainland.”
On working with Canavan, Greier added: “He’s helped me with my safety [play], matchplay, basically everything.”
The Caesarean was last-man standing from a massive field of 31.
He won all four matches in the round-robin group stages and then defeated Archie Lyon (East Sussex), Oliver Donnelly (London) and Oliver Li (Brighton) in the knock-out to reach his first final.
Greier’s road to victory
Round-robin Group A: 1st, Archie Greier (First Tower, Jersey); 2nd, Noah Gartell (Chandlers Ford SC); 3rd, Beibei Ji (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, Tallulah Michael (Castle SC, Brighton); 5th, Dexter O’Donovan (Frames, Coulsdon).
Last 16: Greier 1-0 Lyon.
Quarter-final: Greier 2-0 Donnelly.
Semi-final: Greier 2-1 Li.
Final: Greier 2-0 Squires.
