Sixth successive final for Steven Hughes

MATCHPLAY of the highest order helped Steven Hughes continue his staggering run of appearing in every final on this season’s Cuestars South of England Under-21 Bronze Tour.

The new rankings leader (pictured) took advantage of home tables at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club to pick up his second winner’s trophy.

Hughes’ tactical game overcame the phenomenal potting and safety play of Harry Jones, the son of former professional Bradley Jones, in the final of the sixth leg.

An excellent snooker escape played at the right pace was the key to taking the first frame.

But trailing by 20 points in the next, the 13-year-old revealed he was thinking: “How am I going to pull this back?”

Hughes dug deep, closed the gap, potted the blue and – with the merest glimpse of a smile – landed perfectly on the match-ball pink into the middle.

Paying tribute to his opponent from Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon, Hughes praised his potting ability and added: “His safety play is excellent. It’s always the baulk cushion.”

The Toynbee School student had beaten Jones in the group stages and didn’t lose a frame throughout the tournament. He has a 20-point in the rankings with two events to play. The eventual champion will play professional Joe Perry at Finals Day.

“It’s been a great day,” said Hughes.

Connor Benzey, also based at Chandler’s Ford SC, climbed to joint third after losing 2-1 in the last-four to Jones.

The final frame drew applause from the spectators. Jones led with a 26 break. Benzey immediately replied with a 29 only for his opponent to clear with a 22 to win on the black.

Hughes accounted for first-time semi-finalist Ben Crump (Mayfair SC, Gosport) 2-0 to reach the final.

The seventh leg of eight is at Fareham Snooker Club on Sunday, April 12.

BREAKS

Connor Benzey: 29.
Harry Jones: 26, 22.
Ryan Hughes: 23
Adam Cowdroy: 22, 20.
Harry Cook: 22.
Ben Hatch: 21

RESULTS

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Steven Hughes (Chandler’s Ford SC); 2nd, Harry Jones (Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon, Surrey); 3rd, Ben Hatch (Eastleigh); 4th, Oliver Sykes (Chandler’s Ford SC); 5th, Harvey Banger (Chandler’s Ford SC).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Ben Crump (Stoke SC, Gosport); 2nd, Connor Benzey (Chandler’s Ford SC); 3rd, Luke McCormick (Mayfair, Gosport); 4th, David Rice (Salisbury SC); 5th, Connor Shaw (Greenbaize, Bournemouth).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP C: 1st, Harry Cook (Woking SC); 2nd, Charlie Pringle (Chandler’s Ford SC); 3rd, Bowen Zhu (Chandler’s Ford SC); 4th, Albert Warren (Salisbury SC); 5th, David O’Callaghan (Greenbaize, Bournemouth).

ROUND-ROBIN GROUP D: 1st, Keegan Reed (Salisbury SC); 2nd, Ryan Hughes (Chandler’s Ford SC); 3rd, Adam Cowdroy (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 4th, Liam Ashman (Player’s, Westbury).

QUARTER-FINALS (12 points): S Hughes 2 R Hughes 0, Crump 2 Pringle 0, Benzey 2 Cook 0, Jones 2 Reed 1.

SEMI-FINALS (15 points): S Hughes 2 Crump 0, Jones 2 Benzey 1.

FINAL (25/18 points): S Hughes 2 Jones 0.

Report and picture by Tim Dunkley.