First title for three-time runner-up

THE confidence boost of a personal best break seven weeks ago spurred Austen Petty on to claim his first Eastleigh & District Under-18 Premier title.

Petty (pictured left) had been runner-up three times since securing back-to-back Under-13 championships at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club in 2011.

But the 15-year-old from Boyatt Wood hit the front on the day he posted his 62 and had opened up an uncatchable lead with two weeks to spare.

“I’m glad I’ve won it this time because three times I’ve been runner-up,” he said.

“Towards the middle (of the season) I got my new high break and played better from there.”

It’s been a great start to 2014 for the Crestwood College student, who aims to take his game “a lot further”.

He has performed well in his opening matches for Super League outfit Chandlers Ford Central Club A and still turns out for that club’s billiards side.

And he is joint sixth on the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Silver Tour after winning the fifth leg at his home club earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Bronze Tour rankings leader Luke Beebe leads the chase for the Under-18 runners-up spot and the 12-year-old is on course to claim his third Under-13 Premier crown.

Picture by Tim Dunkley