BRADLEY Cowdroy reckons tutoring kids in English and maths has sparked his upturn in form on the snooker table since the beginning of the year, writes Tim Dunkley.

The 20-year-old from Bournemouth continued his fine run by winning his first event on the Cuestars Under-21 Gold Tour since before the initial COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020.

Cowdroy, who pocketed £100 in prize money, wrapped up a 3-1 victory over home player Oliver Sykes with a 64 break in the final of the seventh leg at Chandlers Ford Snooker Club.

“It’s been a while,” he said. “Oliver’s playing brilliantly at the moment. I heard he’s knocking in a lot of centuries.

“It’s aways enjoyable playing him. You know you are testing yourself against a very, very good player.”

Since the turn of the year, Cowdroy has collected a £1,000 jackpot for winning the Pro-Am Series at Waterlooville Sports Bar, reached the last-64 of the World Snooker Federation Championship in Sheffield and regained his place on the EPSB Under-21 Premier Development Tour.

Cowdroy explained that a lot of this has to do with the relationships he has built with workmates at Explore Learning, an organisation which helps children with their English and maths.

“Everything’s in a really good place,” he said. “When I’m happy off the table, it brings out my best on the table.

“I’m looking forward to Q School (and the chance of turning professional).”

Prolific century-breaker Sykes made the day’s highest break of 111 against clubmate Steven Hughes in his first round-robin group match. Jamie Wilson (Havant) knocked in a 104 against Riley Ellis.

A total of 19 breaks of 50 or more were recorded by the high-quality field for the event sponsored by Pitman Training.

Connor Benzey (Eastleigh) now leads the rankings by five points from Wilson with one leg remaining.

Meanwhile, 12-year-old Harry Wyatt (Ferndown) lost 2-0 to tournament winner Will Forster (Wickham) in the Silver Tour semi-finals and is now joint second in the rankings.