And that, my son, is a winner’s trophy

CONNOR Benzey now knows what it feels like to be a winner – just like his dad.

The Eastleigh pair (pictured) teamed up to clinch the 58th Family Tournament, formerly known as Dads and Lads, at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club.

While Mark Benzey has completed a clean sweep of the four major snooker titles in the Southampton & District Social Clubs League, his 12-year-old son had yet to land a winner’s trophy.

Connor lost in the final of the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Bronze Tour leg in Swindon in March. He has been beaten in the final of two trophy tournaments at his home club in the past 12 months. And he and Mark were runners-up in the Family Tournament in 2011.

The Toynbee School pupil admitted it felt “good” after edging Steve and Jamie Wilson, whom they had lost to in the group stages, in the final.

“I thought it was going to be a good game but I didn’t think we’d win,” added the youngster, whose collection of runners-up awards has become a bit of a sore subject.

It was Connor who gave the champions the lead but it was Mark who sunk the frame-ball yellow with the rest.

“I prefer the rest,” said the 39-year-old, who was Town Champion in 2001, claimed the Southampton pairs title three times with three different partners, and has Burroughes & Watts and Super League championship trophies.

“My cue action isn’t the best,” he laughed. “I actually do all right with the rest generally.

“Neither of us were really on it all day but we probably played out best in the final. Steve missed a few, otherwise it could have been a different game.”

In the last-four, the Benzeys beat Dan, 15, and Dean Sykes while the Wilsons accounted for Abhay, 11, and Rick Chopra.

Charlie Pringle, 12, and grandad Dave Moon won the Plate.

Claire Sykes, the only woman in the competition, and her eight-year-old son Oliver were group-stage casualties.

Report and picture by Tim Dunkley.