Mutch claims inaugural handicap championship

CAMBRIDGE’S rising star Jonny Mutch overcame an old adversary to clinch his first Cuestars tournament win.

The 15-year-old (pictured) defeated national under-16 finalist Mark Lloyd 2-0 in the final of the Cuestars Handicap Championship at Jesters Snooker Hall, Swindon.

Lloyd, also 15 and based at Stoke Snooker Club, Gosport, had beaten Mutch in five of their previous six encounters.

But the East Anglian cueman’s game has matured over the past year. He qualified for the last-16 of the English Under-16 Championship, he reached his first final on the EASB Regional Junior Tour in Plymouth in January – a result that took him up to fifth in the rankings – and last week he lost to Lloyd in the semi-finals of an under-16 tournament in Coulsdon.

“I really enjoyed the whole day,” said Mutch. “It was especially nice to beat James Budd (in the last-four) and Mark Lloyd both 2-0.

“I have played Mark numerous times so it was great to finally beat him.”

Mutch – who is sixth on the Cuestars Gold Tour, so did not receive handicap starts in any match – won all three group games without dropping a frame. He then accounted for Connor Benzey (Chandler’s Ford) 2-1 in the last-16 and Callum Browne (Westbury) by the same score in the quarter-finals.

“I found my match against Callum Browne very tough,” he added. “He played very well and all three frames went down to the pink and black.

“I’m looking forward to the next Cuestars event (in Fareham) in two weeks.”

Proud dad Adrian said: “It’s very encouraging. It’s only just over a year or so since he has been involved in these events.

Report by Tim Dunkley.