Lloyd pockets cash ahead of Cyprus trip

The 17-year-old, from Gosport, picked up the cash for winning Open Series 21 at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club.

Lloyd, the English Under-18 Champion, finished the 26-week handicapped competition 15 points clear of fellow Premier junior tour player Jordan Winbourne.

A record £1,540 was paid out to the top-12 ranked players.

And three other records were set.

A total of 54 different players competed over the six months, the average attendance was nearly 20 and a staggering 130 breaks of 50 or more, including six centuries, were recorded.

Tim Dunkley said: ‘When we started this Saturday afternoon tournament in 2009, we never imagined the heights it would reach.

‘No wonder the new generation are doing so well regionally and nationally with a competition like this every week.’

Series 21 players included Suzie Opacic and Chloe White, the women’s world number seven and 45 respectively, the 2016 English Under-14 Championship runner-up Jamie Wilson and this season’s finalist Olly Gibbs, 13-year-old England international Mickey Joyce and century breaker Connor Benzey, 15, who leads the Regional junior tour – south west.

All three rankings leaders on the Cuestars South of England Under-21 circuit were regulars.

Lloyd leads the gold tour, Charlie Pringle has a five-point lead over club-mate Ryan Hughes in silver and Riley Ellis is top in bronze.

And former Town Champions David Mumford, Mark Benzey and Danny Gallant made a handful of appearances to spice things up even more.

Series 22 is now underway with increased prize money of £1,755. Tournaments start at 1pm every Saturday and are open to all ages.

Call 023 8025 4834 or email [email protected] for more details.