Surreal first win for Fordingbridge teenager

A FORDINGBRIDGE teenage described his shock first tournament win on the Cuestars circuit as “surreal”.

Anthony Rice (pictured) admitted “I was punching above my weight” during the event at Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon.

The 17-year-old edged EASB Premier Junior Tour player Mark Lloyd, 15, 3-2 to claim the second leg of eight on the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Gold Tour.

“I was punching above my weight for most of the day but that just seemed to raise my game,” said Rice, a member of Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club and Salisbury Snooker Club who made the semi-finals on his debut last month.

“I made a couple of 40 (breaks) and was consistent with the 30s so I knew I was cueing well.

“I was delighted to reach the semi-finals, and winning (the final) just feels surreal.”

After collecting his £40 prize money, Rice paid tribute to his 11-year-old Chandler’s Ford clubmate Mickey Joyce whom he beat 3-1 in the last-eight.

“He was playing the best snooker I have ever seen from someone of his age,” he said. “It was one hell of a fight.”

James Budd (Stoke SC, Gosport), who was beaten 3-0 by Rice in the last-four, said: “He deserved to win it that day. He outplayed me.”

Lloyd accounted for leg-one winner Bradley Chappell (Greenbaize, Bournemouth) 3-0 in the second semi.

Rice and Chappell are joint rankings leaders.

The third leg of eight is at Greenbaize Snooker Club, Bournemouth, on Sunday, December 7.

BREAKS

Bradley Cowdroy: 48.

GOLD RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, James Budd (Stoke SC, Gosport); 2nd, Bradley Chappell (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 3rd, Joshua Lee (Jesters, Swindon); 4th, Nathan Farmer (Stoke SC, Gosport).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Anthony Rice (Salisbury SC); 2nd, Callum Browne (Player’s, Westbury); 3rd, Jonny Mutch (Chandler’s Ford SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Mark Lloyd (Stoke SC, Gosport); 2nd, Mickey Joyce (Chandler’s Ford SC); 3rd, Mark Wells (Greenbaize, Bournemouth).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP D: 1st, Bradley Cowdroy (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 2nd, Jamie Wilson (Copnor SC, Portsmouth); 3rd, Austen Petty (Chandler’s Ford SC).

QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Budd beat Wilson 3-1, Rice beat Joyce 3-1, Lloyd beat Browne 3-0, Chappell beat Cowdroy 3-1.

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Rice beat Budd 3-0, Lloyd beat Chappell 3-0.

FINAL (£40/£25 25/18 points): Rice beat Lloyd 3-2.

Report by Tim Dunkley.