New Milton teenager Sam Perkins crowned rankings champion on the Cuestars U21 Bronze Tour at Greenbaize Snooker Club as World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association coach Tim Dunkley watches on

New Milton teenager Sam Perkins has claimed his first title on a junior snooker circuit.

Perkins was crowned rankings champion on the Cuestars U21 Bronze Tour after collecting his fourth winner’s trophy of the season in Bournemouth.

But the 13-year-old was forced to survive a minor scare in the round-robin group stages in the tenth and final leg at Greenbaize Snooker Club.

Needing to qualify for the knockout to guarantee winning the title, Perkins overcame Chester Chan (Reading) but lost to Charlie Ings (Salisbury). This meant he had to beat Toby Walker (Hove) in his final group match.

“It feels really good,” said Perkins. “I came here today, 14 points in the lead, and I had to get out of my group. I just about did that. It was quite tight. I was nervous in the (last) frame that I had to win.”

Perkins then went on to defeat his Chandler’s Ford clubmate Ben Taylor-Jenkins 2-1 on the pink in the final.

In the nine legs he has entered during this campaign, he reached six finals and won in Salisbury, Swindon, Coulsdon and Bournemouth. And he never failed to qualify for a knockout.

Perkins joined the Saturday morning junior leagues at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club in February last year. His highest competitive break is 33.

He works with World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association coach Tim Dunkley, who said: “Sam has done brilliantly since he joined us. I am proud of what he has achieved this season.

“But moving up to Silver in September is a big step, and he has things he needs to work on in preparation for that.”

Greenbaize SC and club member Shaun Hayman sponsored the event.

Next is the Cuestars U21 Gold, Silver and Bronze Championships at Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon, on Sunday, May 25th.