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BACK-to-back tournament wins on a national circuit prove that Mitchell Mann’s dream of turning professional is “still firmly alive”.
The 22-year-old from Castle Vale, West Midlands, followed up his success on the English Ranking Series in Derby in November with victory in the fourth leg at Frames Sports Bar, Croydon.
Mann, who was one frame from turning professional at the 2012 Q School, said: “The dream is still firmly alive. I’m feeling very good with life on and off the table. It’s the best I’ve felt for a long time.
“I’ve got a good team around me and I feel there’s good times ahead.
“I’m back to play and win like I know I can.”
The 2007 Junior Pot Black champion accounted for Basildon-based Zak Surety in the final to claim £400 prize money and extend his lead at the top of the rankings.
After three hard-fought frames, Mann opened up a 3-1 lead with a 76 break from his first visit to the table.
First-time finalist Surety pulled one back but was restricted to just three shots in the next two as former England junior skipper Mann wrapped up a 5-2 victory with runs of 85 and 87.
Earlier, while Ben Harrison (Westbury, Wilts) was overcoming Anthony Harris (Sutton Coldfield) 4-3 in the quickest first-round match, Simon Dent (West Sussex) took four hours to see off Londoner Jimmy Carney 4-3.
In additional to £75 prize money for reaching the semi-finals, Callum Downing (Oldbury, West Mids) also pocketed £50 for the day’s highest break of 131 in a classy display against Zack Richardson in the last-eight.
The fifth leg of eight is at the Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds, on the weekend of February 15-16.
Tim Dunkley
EASB Media Officer South and World Snooker coach
The English Association of Snooker & Billiards is the national governing body for the amateur game in this country. For more information about competitions, rankings lists and results, see www.easb.co.uk.
The 22-year-old from Castle Vale, West Midlands, followed up his success on the English Ranking Series in Derby in November with victory in the fourth leg at Frames Sports Bar, Croydon.
Mann, who was one frame from turning professional at the 2012 Q School, said: “The dream is still firmly alive. I’m feeling very good with life on and off the table. It’s the best I’ve felt for a long time.
“I’ve got a good team around me and I feel there’s good times ahead.
“I’m back to play and win like I know I can.”
The 2007 Junior Pot Black champion accounted for Basildon-based Zak Surety in the final to claim £400 prize money and extend his lead at the top of the rankings.
After three hard-fought frames, Mann opened up a 3-1 lead with a 76 break from his first visit to the table.
First-time finalist Surety pulled one back but was restricted to just three shots in the next two as former England junior skipper Mann wrapped up a 5-2 victory with runs of 85 and 87.
Earlier, while Ben Harrison (Westbury, Wilts) was overcoming Anthony Harris (Sutton Coldfield) 4-3 in the quickest first-round match, Simon Dent (West Sussex) took four hours to see off Londoner Jimmy Carney 4-3.
In additional to £75 prize money for reaching the semi-finals, Callum Downing (Oldbury, West Mids) also pocketed £50 for the day’s highest break of 131 in a classy display against Zack Richardson in the last-eight.
The fifth leg of eight is at the Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds, on the weekend of February 15-16.
Tim Dunkley
EASB Media Officer South and World Snooker coach
The English Association of Snooker & Billiards is the national governing body for the amateur game in this country. For more information about competitions, rankings lists and results, see www.easb.co.uk.
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