Bittersweet victory for Connor Benzey
IT WAS a bittersweet victory for Connor Benzey (pictured) in the fifth leg of the Cuestars Under-21 Gold Tour.
The 19-year-old from Eastleigh pocketed £100 prize money after beating his regular practice partner Jamie Wilson 3-1 in the final at Fareham Snooker Club.
But speaking after his victory over the world number 85, Benzey explained his mixed feelings about beating a good friend.
“It’s not nice playing against your mates,” he said.
“I want him and me to do well. But it is what it is. You’ve just got to do it.”
And he added: “I play him every day so I know how he plays.”
As a World Snooker Tour professional, Wilson concedes a 14-point handicap start to all of his opponents.
Benzey, who practises on his own professional standard table next to Wilson’s at Waterlooville Sports Bar, thanked his sponsors – Devlin Cues, Mick Sawkins, Hillcrest Structural and GH Property Management – for their continued support.
Mickey Joyce (Basingstoke) recorded the day’s highest break of 83 in his group-stage victory over Londoner Aristos Pampouris.
Defending rankings champion Bradley Cowdroy (Bournemouth) won all three of his group matches but lost 3-0 to Wilson in the last-four.
Benzey beat current rankings leader Marcos Dayao (London) 3-0 in the second semi and moves up to third place, 13 points adrift of top spot. Wilson is second.
Realistically, only those three are in contention for the title going into the sixth and final leg at Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon, next Sunday (October 3).
Find out more about event sponsor Fareham Snooker Club at www.farehamsnooker.co.uk.
BREAKS
Mickey Joyce: 83.
Connor Benzey: 70, 62.
Jamie Wilson: 62.
Bradley Cowdroy: 53.
Marcos Dayao: 49, 41.
Steven Hughes: 41.
GOLD RESULTS
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP A: 1st, Bradley Cowdroy (Greenbaize, Bournemouth); 2nd, Marcos Dayao (Cousins SC, London); 3rd, Mickey Joyce (Academy, Basingstoke); 4th, Aristos Pampouris (Cousins, London).
ROUND-ROBIN GROUP B: 1st, Connor Benzey (Chandlers Ford SC); 2nd, Jamie Wilson (Waterlooville Sports Bar); 3rd, Steven Hughes (Chandlers Ford SC); 4th, Ryan Hughes (Chandlers Ford SC).
SEMI-FINALS (15 points): Benzey 3-0 Dayao, Wilson 3-0 Cowdroy.
FINAL (£100/£25, 25/18 points): Benzey 3-1 Wilson.