John Donovan and Lee Whaley with their Cuestars Under-21s Silver Tour trophies

KING’S Cross potter Lee Whaley admitted that he was “flying” after winning his third snooker tournament of the season this month in the Cuestars Under-21s Silver Tour.

The 17-year-old, who lives in Marylebone, also beat his highest tournament break twice in a remarkable day at Frames Sports Bar in Coulsdon, south London.

The Cuestars Tour is aimed at giving grassroots players the chance to perfect their game by competing in 10 tournaments across the south of England each season.

Depending on ability, there is a gold, silver and bronze tour.]

After just four legs of the silver tour, Lee has now secured promotion to the top tier next season.

The latest leg in the series, which was held in south London on Sunday, December 1, also marked a fantastic day for Gone-2-Pot, a snooker club for children which is based at the Hurricane Room in King’s Cross.

Four of the quarter-finalists – Lee, John Donovan, Elliott Johnson and Simon Bubb – all train with the club.

In an all-Hurricane Room final, Whaley beat Donovan 2-0, taking the first frame with a personal best competitive break of 75.

Whaley reckons a three-day week studying BTEC science at Westminster Kingsway College is the key to his green-baize success.

“I get a chance to practise more on a Friday,” he explained. “It’s paying off.”

And reflecting on the day, he added: “I did well. I was flying.”

Rankings leader Whaley now has a massive 30-point margin over club-mate Johnson in second place.

In the semi-finals Johnson lost 2-0 to Donovan, of Somers Town, who went on to appear in his first silver tour final, where finishing as runner-up moved him up to fourth spot in the overall rankings.

Donovan is also rapidly rising up the rankings having won last season’s Bronze Tour Championship.