FORDINGBRIDGE cueman Anthony Rice admitted he was “shocked” after pulling off an “impossible” feat to gain promotion to the national under-21 snooker circuit.

The 20-year-old, who was devastated after falling short last season, went into the sixth and final leg of the EASB Regional Junior Tour – South West as fourth favourite.

But as each result was pored over at and likely scenarios calculated during a nerve-racking day at Jesters Snooker Club, Swindon, his title rivals fell away one-by-one.

Rankings leader Bradley Cowdroy (Bournemouth), second-placed Connor Benzey (Eastleigh) and Oliver and Dan Sykes (Chandler’s Ford) all made shock group-stage exits.

That meant Rice needed to win his semi-final against Lewis Parnham (Gloucester) to take the title and step up to the EASB Premier Junior Tour next season.

He described his 2-0 victory over Parnham, who needed to win the final to take top spot, as “the most important match I’d ever played in”.

And he went on to claim his first tournament win of the season by beating Callum Browne (Trowbridge) 2-0 in the final.

“I’m still shocked about it,” Rice said. “I haven’t been on my best form, particularly at the start of the season, and had a massive gap to close in the last event.

“I went in to it just hoping to do enough to secure a play-off place and had absolutely no delusions about winning the rankings as in my eyes it was impossible.

“Last season I gave it my all to try and earn a spot on the Premier Junior Tour and managed to throw away a massive lead to Mickey Joyce, who went on to gain promotion.

“I was practising pretty much every day last year and put much more pressure on myself to achieve results.”

But life has now changed for the talented left-hander. He now works full-time as a trainee accountant at Fawcetts in Salisbury and is studying for his exams, which leaves less time for snooker.

“As a result of this,” he explained, “I expect less of myself and have learned to enjoy playing when I can and accepting my limitations.”

Rice, who recorded a personal best 97 break in the previous event in Poole, added: “I feel very sorry for both Bradley Cowdroy and Connor Benzey as they dominated the season between them.

“Double ranking points from the last event meant that their performance of the day was crucial and they have both had such a consistently strong season.”