THERE was an early birthday present for an 11-year-old from Chandler’s Ford.

Riccardo Drayton, who turns 12 on Monday, proudly held aloft his first regional winner’s trophy outside Salisbury Snooker Club.

The young potter survived a dramatic day of twists and turns on the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Bronze Tour.

“I feel really proud of myself and I’m really happy that I’ve won my first Bronze tournament,” he said.

Drayton, who lost to Ronnie Sullivan in the final of the first leg in Waterlooville, turned the tables with a 2-0 victory in the final of the second leg.

The finalists are now joint top of the rankings.

Drayton travelled a rocky road to the final. He lost his first group-stage match to Zak Truscott (Waterlooville), won his other two, finished third in a three-way play-off and qualified for the knockout as one of the two best third-place finishers.

After beating Rio Smith (Portsmouth) 2-1 in the last eight, he edged Samuel Laxton (Portsmouth) by the same score in the semi-finals.

Drayton, a Year 7 pupil at Thornden School, trailed Laxton by 14 points on the colours in the deciding frame and won on the black.

Meanwhile, O’Shay Scott qualified for the knockout via a three-way play-off in the group stages and defeated Oliver Cooper (Banstead) 2-1 to make his first semi-final appearance.

The eight-year-old from Eastleigh was finally beaten 2-0 by Sullivan.

CHANDLER’S FORD OPEN SERIES 23 WEEK 6 RESULTS (24 RUNNERS) Prelims: Oliver Sykes 2 Grahame Hughes 1, Steven Hughes 2 Olly Gibbs 0, David Stewart 2 Peter Chin 0, Brett Wallace 2 Ryan Hughes 0, Riccardo Drayton 2 Riley Ellis 0, Dan Hammond 2 O’Shay Scott 0, Jason Terry 2 Connor Benzey 0, Barry Doswell 2 Charlie Pringle 1.

Last-16: Sykes 2 S Hughes 0, Stewart 2 Wallace 0, Hammond 2 Drayton 1, Terry 2 Doswell 1, Chloe White 2 Mickey Joyce 1, Callum White 2 Phil Morgan 0, Suzie Opacic 2 Jamie Wilson 1, Neil Carroll 2 Jackie Ellis 1.

Quarter-finals: Sykes 2 Stewart 0, Terry 2 Hammond 1, Chloe White 2 Callum White 0, Opacic 2 Carroll 1.

Semi-finals: Terry 2 Sykes 1, Opacic 3 Chloe White 1.

Final: Terry 2 Opacic 1.

Plate final: R Ellis 3 Wilson 1.

Breaks: Gibbs: 61; S Hughes: 58; Joyce: 57; Wilson: 46, 31, 30; Sykes: 41; Opacic: 38, 30; Hammond: 37, 35; R Hughes: 37, 35; Benzey: 34, 32; Stewart: 31.

Top 12 (to share £1,875 prize money): Connor Benzey (Eastleigh) -35 h/cap, 52 pts; Riley Ellis (Clyffe Pypard, North Wilts) 23, 43; Phil Morgan (Salisbury) -5, 38; Chloe White (Havant) 16, 38; Callum White (Havant) 26, 36; Dan Hammond (Winchester) -12, 33; Olly Gibbs (Gosport) -20, 32; Oliver Sykes (Chandlers Ford) -16, 30; Barry Doswell (Portsmouth) 29, 30; Neil Carroll (Rownhams) -16, 29; David Stewart (Odiham) -1, 29; Jamie Wilson (Havant) -19, 27.