WILTSHIRE potter Riley Ellis has claimed his first major regional snooker title.

The 12-year-old has been crowned the Cuestars South of England U21 Bronze Tour rankings champion with a tournament to spare.

Ellis, from Clyffe Pypard, near Royal Wootton Bassett, went into the ninth leg at Chandler’s Ford Snooker Club needing to better the performance of title rival Shane Kearns to clinch first place.

Despite an early scare, he rose to the occasion and eventually lost in the final after Kearns had made a last-four exit.

“I didn’t really feel anything but it’s kicking in now,” he said. “I’m just really happy that I managed to win it.”

Ellis topped his five-man round-robin group despite losing one match to eight-year-old O’Shay Scott (Chandler’s Ford).

That setback meant he had to beat Thomas Saunders (Braintree) to qualify for the knockout stages.

Defeat would have opened the door for Kearns to close the gap and set up a tense final event in Salisbury, but the youngster stepped up a gear and overcame the Essex lad with breaks of 30 and 27 in the one-frame match.

He then had to beat women’s world number 42 Chloe White, 15, in the semi-finals to virtually guarantee the title.

Minutes before, Kearns lost 2-1 at the same stage to Ronnie Sullivan (Coulsdon), who went on to edge Ellis 2-1 in the final.

World Snooker coach Tim Dunkley, who has worked with Ellis for nearly two years, said: “He has worked so hard for this. I asked for a final push to win the title with one tournament to spare and he delivered.

“Over the season, he has matured as a player and matured as a person.

“He is now ready to compete on the Silver Tour.”