Ferrari reward for Murphy

BRISTOL potter Aidan Murphy was rewarded with a ride in his sponsor’s Ferrari for winning the second leg of the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Silver Tour.

The 11-year-old (pictured) was reported to be “potting everything” during a 2-0 victory over first-time finalist Connor Benzey at Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon.

Murphy is now joint top of the rankings with leg-one winner Drew Hampshire (Swindon). Benzey (Eastleigh) is one point further back in third.

Last year, Steve Hall, the owner of Elite Mobility – a Bristol-based family-run business specialising in mobility products – saw the budding star in action and offered sponsorship.

Hall took Murphy to his school prom in his Ferrari and promised last Wednesday at a pool match he would take him for another spin if he won in Swindon.

Dad Derek said: “Aidan was straight on the phone booking his ride!”

And he added: “Aidan was chuffed to bits with his win. He managed to only drop two frames (out of 16) all day.

“At the last event he didn’t do too well so he’s been practising hard all half-term week for this. He really enjoyed himself and even when things went wrong occasionally, laughed it off and stayed focused.

“That seems to be the key with Aidan. He tries really hard to stay cool, block out everything and concentrate on the table. Let’s hope his strategy wins him a few more trophies.”

Nine-year-old Oliver Sykes (Chandler’s Ford), appearing in his first semi-final, lost 2-0 to Murphy.

The third leg of eight is at Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon, on Sunday, December 13.

BREAKS

Olly Gibbs: 38, 35.
Connor Benzey: 35, 31.
Aidan Murphy: 30.

SILVER RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Aidan Murphy (Bristol Conservative Club); 2nd, Connor Benzey (Chandler’s Ford SC); 3rd, Olly Gibbs (Chandler’s Ford SC); 4th, Kaine Petty (Salisbury SC); 5th, Keegan Reed (Salisbury SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Oliver Sykes (Chandler’s Ford SC); 2nd, David Rice (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Drew Hampshire (147 SC, Swindon); 4th, Harry Cook (Woking SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Steven Hughes (Chandler’s Ford SC); 2nd, Ally Pollard (Salisbury SC); 3rd, Nat Kidner (Greenbaize SC, Bournemouth); 4th, David O’Callaghan (Greenbaize, Bournemouth).

QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): Murphy 2 Kidner 1, Sykes 2 Pollard 0, Benzey 2 Hughes 1, Gibbs 2 Rice 0.

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Murphy 2 Sykes 0, Benzey 2 Gibbs 1.

FINAL (25/18 points): Murphy 2 Benzey 0.

Report by Tim Dunkley.