ANTHONY Rice admitted he'd been "desperate for a win" after collecting his first winner's trophy for nearly two years on a regional snooker circuit.

The 19-year-old from Fordingbridge defeated Aidan Murphy 2-1 in the final of the third leg of the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Gold Tour.

It ended a drought stretching back to his first tournament win on the same table at Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon, on November 2, 2014.

Rice said: "Over the last year I have been getting desperate for a win. My game on the practice table has been better than ever but I just haven't been taking it onto the match table."

The trainee tax accountant at Fawcetts in Salisbury added: "I've told myself going into the last few events that I no longer expect to play to any sort of standard and that I should just enjoy it.

"This took all the pressure I have put on myself away. I didn't play that well all day but I did keep my composure - until the final at least."

Rice, who collected £70 prize money and climbed to second place in the rankings, topped his group in the event sponsored by Tamar Independent Financial Advisers. He then defeated Bradley Cowdroy (Bournemouth) 2-0 and Callum Browne (Trowbridge) 2-1 before edging 12-year-old Murphy (Bristol) 2-1.

The fourth leg of ten is at Frames Sports Bar, Coulsdon, on Sunday, December 4.