HEREFORDSHIRE teenager Ben Fortey has been described as a ‘great champion’ by one of his rivals.

Runner-up Alexander Ursenbacher was full of praise for the county youngster who had won the sixth leg of the Cuestars South of England under-21 Gold Tour.

The tournament took place at Fortey’s home club the South West Snooker Academy in Gloucester, with the ex-Whitecross pupil edging out the Swiss star 2-1 on the final black.

The 16-year-old, who won this event a year ago as a debutant on the tour, enforced revenge on Ursenbacher who had beaten him 3-1 in the group stages.

Fortey and Ursenbacher had both qualified from the ‘group of death’, resulting in the elimination of Welsh international and 2012 Gold champion Callum Lloyd in the knockout stages.

Fortey, who swapped pool for snooker after representing Wales in the Junior Team World Championships in 2010, is currently on a scholarship at the South West Snooker Academy in Gloucester where he resides Monday to Friday.

Fortey has enjoyed an excellent start to the year and is continuing to rack up wins.

He has won the Gloucester U23s Cup for the second year running and also won Swindon’s U21 Gold Tour with Cuestars.

Anyone willing to assist Ben with sponsorship to cover some of his travelling and living expenses should contact his mum Joanne Gardiner on joanne.gardiner72@btinternet.com