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, was fourth favourite going into the sixth leg of the EASB Regional Junior Tour – South West.

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

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

That meant beating Lewis Parnham (Gloucester) in the last-four would hand Rice the title and a ticket for the EASB Premier Junior Tour.

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 overcoming Callum Browne (Trowbridge) 2-0.

“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 to 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 changed for the talented left-hander. He now works full-time as a trainee accountant at Fawcetts in Salisbury and is studying for 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.”

Seventh-placed Steven Hughes (Chandler’s Ford) lost 2-0 to Browne in his second semi-final of the season.