A 12-YEAR-OLD budding snooker star from Wiltshire took his game to a new level during a marathon two days of green-baize action.

Riley Ellis triumphed in one tournament, was runner-up in another and increased his highest break.

The young potter from Lyneham, near Royal Wootton Bassett, said: “It was really good. It was very tiring but well worth it.”

In fact, Ellis competed in four different competitions in a 48-hour period. On day one, he was in action in the Eastleigh and District U13 and U19 Leagues at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club, near Southampton.

Following that, he emerged victorious from 18 runners in week nine of the club’s handicapped Open Series.

Despite flagging after a gruelling ten hours of play, Ellis dug deep into his reserves in the deciding frame of a best-of-three final against 54-year-old Phil Morgan, from Salisbury.

The year eight pupil at Royal Wootton Bassett Academy then headed to his home club, Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon, the next day for the third leg of the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Bronze Tour.

He chalked up a personal best 38 break in his first round robin group-stage match against Callum White, a 16-year-old from Havant.

After winning his three other matches to qualify for the semi-finals, he overcame Arnie Petty, from Fordingbridge, 2-0 and lost 2-1 to Chloe White, Callum’s 15-year-old sister, in the final.

Ellis’ World Snooker coach Tim Dunkley said: “Sometimes, you see players mature before your eyes.

“Riley was running on empty in the deciding frame of the Open Series final and looked beat but he found something to get over the line.

“And to get his highest break the following morning and then reach only his second Cuestars final was magnificent. What a great weekend for the lad.”

Ellis moved up to second in the rankings, seven points adrift of clubmate Shane Kearns, who maintained top spot despite a 2-1 last-four defeat by Chloe White.