Eggs-ellent performance in Easter Cup

RYAN Hughes has retained the Easter Cup at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club by the slimmest of margins.

The 13-year-old (pictured) finished 40 hours of competition one point ahead of Connor Benzey.

And it was all decided on the last frame of the tenth and final day.

Since Good Friday, the lads had competed in the Cuestars Coaching Programme, billiards, cricket (Hughes’ favourite) and snooker – all overseen by World Snooker coach Tim Dunkley.

The Thornden School pupil was one point behind joint rankings leaders Benzey and Steven Hughes (no relation), both 13, going into the final day.

Benzey had his nose in front by lunchtime and halfway through the afternoon led Ryan Hughes by two frames.

And then it all changed. Nine-year-old Oliver Sykes, the most improved player over the holiday, missed frame-ball pink against Ryan Hughes – who then beat Benzey and Harvey Banger – and defeated Benzey in the last game.

Ryan Hughes finished on 130 points, Benzey on 129 and Steven Hughes on 127.

“When it came to (the last day), I thought Connor was going to win it because he was playing really well and I haven’t,” said the champion. “But I got better as the day carried on.”

It was Hughes’ fourth school holiday competition title. He also claimed the 2014 Autumn Half-Term Cup but said he will not be defending the Ken Jones May Half-Term Cup which runs from May 25-29.

Hughes was one of four players to beat their highest break since the schools broke up. He recorded a 35 clearance in the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Bronze Tour leg in Fareham, where Steven Hughes made a 43.

Benzey fired in a 48 on the first day of the Easter Cup and Sykes made a 31 on day five and then 37 on day eight.

Report and picture by Tim Dunkley.