SNOOKER

TALENTED Walthamstow-based snooker player Ben Finch is being tipped for the big time after securing back to back Upton Park Classic wins.

The weekly-held handicapped tournament is one of the longest running snooker events in Essex, attracting the top local youngsters and leading adults.

Some top names in the sport, including Ongar's Ronnie O'Sullivan, Peter Ebdon and Ken Doherty have all won at the event.

Finch - who trains at Rileys in Walthamstow - added his name to that prestigious list and now his coach believes that the 18-year-old has what it takes to reach the top.

Josh Raja said: "If Ben carries on the way he is going, then he will break into the top ten players in the world, without a doubt.

"There is a long way for him to go and a lot for him to learn but he is starting to pass the test."

It has not always been an easy road for the talented potter.

While Raja's other students have regularly been picking up trophies at various events across the UK, Finch had previously struggled to secure a title.

However, with these wins under his belt, Raja believes his student has silenced his critics and is really starting to make a play for success.

"He was getting me a bit annoyed because he wasn't winning and I want a winning mentality from the players," said Raja.

"But Ben is now starting to rise to the task."

Finch trains for four hours a day and is very much in the Steve Davis mould, with brilliant safety play complimented by an ability for big breakbuilding.

He is already making breaks of over 100 in practice and is now starting to put together big breaks in tournaments, although Raja admitts that there are areas of his game that still require work.

"He lacks a bit of around the table but that is more his mentality than anything else," conceded Raja.

"Luckily,he works really hard and if I tell him there's an area of his game that needs looking at, he will work at it to put it right."

- If you want details about coaching at Rileys in Walthamstow, call Josh Raja on 0786 6529 797.