Zhou Yuelong and Yan Bingtao. They're 17 and 15 years old respectively. However, at the World Cup of Snooker in Wuxi, experience was in youth as the two teens ran out as the winners of the snooker world cup representing China B. Thanks to their amazing victory they are now in this years Champion of Champions and in terms of prize money they've got £65,000 each. For first and second year tour pros £65,000 (although of course not ranking money) has set them up for life in terms of the travel and entry fees for tournaments which so many other players in the game struggle for.
China B started out in the incredibly difficult Group D where in match one they took on the Republic of Ireland and ran out comfortable and somewhat unexpected 4-1 winners against Ken and Fergal. At this stage we didn't really know what to expect from the Chinese "Seconds" and whether they could go all the way as dark horses. On Tuesday it was time for the World Champions of Selby and Bingham representing England. It went all the way but eventually England ran out 3-2 winners, in what turned out to be China B's only defeat of the entire World Cup. Next up, at the halfway stage of the round robin the teens had the certain victory against the United Arab Emirates who were no problem, as China rolled out a whitewash. The key game for them in this group quickly became the match up with Thailand on Thursday who were already flying high after their heavy early victories. It was another tight match but once they came through it 3-2 they were mere certainties to get out of the group stages with a game against the Germans to come. Having beaten them 5-0 in the final game they ensured the top spot of the group ahead of Thailand.
Meanwhile, Australia were struggling but they came through as the second placed side in Group C, with Wales taking the top spot. Belgium ended up topping Group B ahead of Scotland, while China A romped to victory in Group A ahead of the Indian pair of Mehta and Advani. That meant that the quarter-finals saw Wales against Thailand, under the new first to four format for the knock-out stages. After losing the first frame Wales took the next four in a row for a 4-1 victory. China B meanwhile played Australia and won the opening two singles games to lead 2-0 early on. After losing the doubles they also lost the following singles game to draw level at 2-2. A big break in the next singles game gave the Chinese youngsters two cracks at getting into the semi-finals. A tight doubles match came next, going right down to the colours before China B got over the line to set-up a last 4 tie with Wales.
In the other half of the draw, Scotland eased to victory against the Chinese first choice side 4-1, while India ended up beating Belgium by the same score line to set up the first semi-final. India led early on 2-1 and 3-2 but the Scots were able to come back and win a "Captains picks" deciding frame to get into the final with a 4-3 victory. Meanwhile, the Chinese pair were ahead at 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 despite the Welsh continually pulling them back and forcing a decider. Zhou Yuelong took on Mark Williams in the "Captains Picks" decider and it was Zhou who was dominant to take the home side into the final.
The Chinese were once again dominant in the final winning both singles games and the first doubles to take a 3-0 advantage of the Scots. They were able to pull one back but they soon had the job done and China B are the World Cup winners after a 4-1 victory over my tournament tip Scotland.
Next up on the calendar is the Australian Open starting in a weeks time and it should be another really good event even if some of the top stars will be missing, and i'm looking forward to having a look and previewing that event at the end of this week.
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