Benzey produces home form in away victory

EASTLEIGH potter Connor Benzey has reproduced his phenomenal home form on his travels for the first time this season.

The 15-year-old produced a bevy of high breaks en route to winning the under-17 Bronze Open run by the West of England Billiards & Snooker Foundation.

Benzey, renowned for his high scoring at Chandler’s Ford SC, compiled nine runs of 30 or more in 13 frames during the event at Jesters SC, Swindon.

“I really enjoyed my day,” said the teenager. “I was happy with how I played.

“It was nice to score quite heavily and compete well. It was a well-run event.”

Benzey made a 63 and a 34 in the final to secure a 2-0 victory over fellow Cuestars Gold Tour player Aidan Murphy (Bristol).

He pocketed £60 prize money for winning the tournament sponsored by Totally Reward.

And there was an additional £15 for the day’s highest break of 77 made in the second frame of a 2-1 semi-final success over England international Mickey Joyce (Basingstoke).

WEBSF spokesman Steve Canniford said Benzey “dominated” the tournament and played “with an air of confidence”.

Murphy knocked out Welsh dragon Liam Davies, the defending champion, 2-1 in the last-eight.

Over the previous two weeks in the Eastleigh & District Under-19 League and the Open Series at Chandlers Ford SC, Benzey had chalked up a staggering 24 breaks of more than 30 topped by a 91.

On his return to the Saturday competitions this week, he made a 63 in the Under-19 League and a 51 in a 2-1 first-round defeat by Dave Nunn in the Open Series.

But then it all went a bit surreal.

In a 4-0 Plate final victory over Ryan Hughes, he fired in a 107, 99, 67 and 56.

In fact, he nearly made back-to-back tons for the first time but snookered himself on the 99.

Benzey now has as many competitive tons as he has sponsors.

BENZEY’S RESULTS (BREAKS)

Group stage: 2-0 Aidan Murphy, 2-0 (46, 59) Kyle Carter, 2-0 (50, 31) Viktor Balgariev.

Quarter-final: 2-0 (49) Josh Parker.

Semi-final: 2-1 (77, 37) Mickey Joyce.

Final: 2-0 (63, 34) Aidan Murphy.

Picture by Tim Dunkley

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Tim Dunkley (World Snooker coach)