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FAREHAM’S James Budd has gained promotion to the EASB Premier Junior Tour.
The 19-year-old recorded his highest match break en route to reaching his fourth successive final on the EASB Regional Junior Tour South.
And that means he has secured top spot in the rankings and automatic promotion after only two seasons.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” said Budd, who is sponsored by BAF Entertainment and has also been competing on the Cuestars South of England circuit for three years.
The classy left-hander was beaten 2-1 in the final of the fifth leg at Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon, London, by Bristol’s Aaron Lowe, who compiled a 61 break in the decider.
The only other frame that Lowe dropped all day was in the group stages against Brad Chappell (Poole). He pocketed £120 prize money and collected the £15 high-break prize for a 94.
Earlier, Budd had increased his personal best matchplay break from 85 to 86 in the group stages against Gloucester potter Aaron Cook.
“It was a good day,” said Budd. “I was pleased to get to the final again and be promoted to the Premier Tour next season.”
He won the first leg at his home base - Fareham Snooker Club - last September, finished runner-up in Cambridge the following month, didn’t travel to Plymouth in January and won in Newbury in April.
Success on the Premier Tour can lead to England places and invitations to the European and IBSF World Under-21 Championships, the winners of which usually gain two-year tour cards for the professional circuit.
Eleven-year-old Londoner Jackson Song recorded his highest tournament break of 36.
The sixth and final leg is at Woking Snooker Centre on Sunday, June 21.
Tim Dunkley
EASB Media Officer South and World Snooker coach
The 19-year-old recorded his highest match break en route to reaching his fourth successive final on the EASB Regional Junior Tour South.
And that means he has secured top spot in the rankings and automatic promotion after only two seasons.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” said Budd, who is sponsored by BAF Entertainment and has also been competing on the Cuestars South of England circuit for three years.
The classy left-hander was beaten 2-1 in the final of the fifth leg at Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon, London, by Bristol’s Aaron Lowe, who compiled a 61 break in the decider.
The only other frame that Lowe dropped all day was in the group stages against Brad Chappell (Poole). He pocketed £120 prize money and collected the £15 high-break prize for a 94.
Earlier, Budd had increased his personal best matchplay break from 85 to 86 in the group stages against Gloucester potter Aaron Cook.
“It was a good day,” said Budd. “I was pleased to get to the final again and be promoted to the Premier Tour next season.”
He won the first leg at his home base - Fareham Snooker Club - last September, finished runner-up in Cambridge the following month, didn’t travel to Plymouth in January and won in Newbury in April.
Success on the Premier Tour can lead to England places and invitations to the European and IBSF World Under-21 Championships, the winners of which usually gain two-year tour cards for the professional circuit.
Eleven-year-old Londoner Jackson Song recorded his highest tournament break of 36.
The sixth and final leg is at Woking Snooker Centre on Sunday, June 21.
Tim Dunkley
EASB Media Officer South and World Snooker coach