Benzey earns double-header invite to Portugal

CONNOR Benzey has earned a dream trip to Portugal for two international tournaments.

The Eastleigh teenager has been invited to compete in next month’s European Under-18 and Under-21 Championships.

It came as a result of his ranking position following the fourth leg of the Under-21 Premier Development Tour at Levels snooker club, Huddersfield.

Benzey finished bottom of his round-robin group after losing 3-1 to Jamie Wilson (Havant) and 3-0 to Isa Ishtiaq (Bradford).

But he ended the first day with a fine 3-1 victory over Hamim Hussain (Birmingham).

The prolific break-builder, who recently completed a hundred centuries in various competitions and practice matches, posted runs of 71, 56 and 51 in a 3-0 last-32 success over his Chandlers Ford clubmate Oliver Sykes

Benzey went out 3-1 in the last-16 to Luke Pinches (Norwich), the son of former professional Barry Pinches, but he earnt enough points to book a trip to the Algarve.

He said: “When you put so much time and effort into something, it’s always nice to get the rewards you were going for.”

Benzey, who turns 18 on Thursday, is joint second in the national junior rankings with one leg remaining.

Picture by Andy Chubb

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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)