Ton-up merchant Benzey secures first Tuesday League title

A TRADEMARK century break set Connor Benzey on course for a first Tuesday Singles League title at Chandlers Ford Snooker Club.

The 17-year-old from Eastleigh cleared the table for a 117 in the opening frame of a 2-0 victory over Dan Sykes in the Series 24 play-off final.

It was the 61st time the ton-up merchant had hit three figures.

Benzey, who pocketed £113 prize money, had clawed back a 1-0 deficit to beat Dan Hammond (Winchester) 2-1 in the last-eight and then overcame Ryan Hughes (Chandler’s Ford) 2-0.

The Cuestars Under-21 Gold Tour player admitted he was spurred on by the memory of finishing runner-up to Mitch Wade (Chandler’s Ford) in the last series.

“I didn’t play very well in the final last time,” he said. “So I tried to make sure I played better.

“I was playing all right all day (this time) but I had a slight scare in the first round.”

Meanwhile, John Barton (Eastleigh) set off like a train with runs of 53 and 60 in his 2-0 last-eight victory over Neil Carroll (Rownhams).

Number-one seed Steven Hughes lost 2-0 in an all-Chandler’s Ford quarter-finals to Sykes.

And spare a thought for Dave Nunn (Winchester). He knocked in a 52 break in the deciding frame of his quarter-final match with Ryan Hughes – and lost.

A new scratch league is now underway. There is free practice from 7pm and after the night’s matches which kick off at 8pm. The top-eight ranked players after ten weeks face a straight knockout for the prize pot.

Explaining the attraction of the league, Benzey said: “It’s good competition and it’s good fun.”

PLAY-OFF RESULTS (PRIZE MONEY AND BREAKS)

Quarter-finals (£14): Dan Sykes 2-0 Steven Hughes, John Barton (60, 53) 2-0 Neil Carroll, Connor Benzey 2-1 Dan Hammond, Ryan Hughes 2-1 (52) Dave Nunn.

Semi-finals (£28): Benzey (64) 2-0 R Hughes, Sykes 2-0 Barton.

Final (£113/£56): Benzey (117) 2-0 Sykes.

Picture by Tim Dunkley

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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)