BRADLEY Cowdroy is one step from being crowned the best player in his age group in the country.

But the Bournemouth teenager believes it is “insane” to be ranked in the top two in England.

The 15-year-old faces Oldham's Ryan Davies in the final of the English Under-16 Championship in Gloucester in June.

Cowdroy reached the last 16 knockout via last month’s southern qualifier at Frames Sports Bar in Coulsdon.

He then beat Bradford's Isa Ishtiaq, last season’s under-14 runner-up, and fellow Cuestars players Oliver Sykes and Olly Gibbs, last season’s under-14 champion, at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds.

“I started off really nervy against Isa but managed to steal the first frame on the black and started playing really well after that,” said Cowdroy.

“Then to have to play Oliver and Olly was tough, not just because they're both great players but also because we all really wanted each other to do well.

“I think there’s a real bond between all of us here in the south, more so than in any other region, and I’m talking about every single player from bronze to gold.

“We all get on so well and push each other on to be better players and I think that’s why we're all improving so much.

“I’m still in shock to be honest. To be top two in England is insane. I want to thank everyone for all their well wishes and June can’t come quickly enough for me now, even if I do have my GCSEs!”

The finals will be held at the South West Snooker Academy.

Meanwhile, Ferndown's rapidly-improving teenager Nat Kidner has proved the old adage that winning can become a habit.

After a near five-year wait for a first Cuestars winner’s trophy, the 14-year-old has now clinched back-to-back tournament successes.

And he even admitted he may have added a touch of safety play to his all-out attacking game.

Kidner, who broke his duck in the fifth leg of the Cuestars South of England Under-21 Silver Tour on home tables at Greenbaize Snooker Club in Bournemouth last month, continued the run on his travels.

The Bournemouth School pupil overcame Brett Wallace (Gosport) 2-0 in the final of the sixth leg at Top Spot Snooker Club, Havant.

“I’ve just hit a run of form where I just can’t stop potting and it feels really, really good,” he said.

“I like winning and I like playing in Cuestars (tournaments) and for all those years I was never really able to get anything out of it.

“I was afraid after Bournemouth that I might just go back to losing in the group stage again.”

And he added: “Perhaps I am thinking more about shots and perhaps playing more safety. It does help.”

Kidner climbed to third place in the rankings, 26 points behind front runner and Greenbaize clubmate David O’Callaghan, who missed the trip. Wallace is second.

Fareham Snooker Club hosts the seventh leg of 10 on Sunday.

Trophies were presented by Trevor Sanders from Trevor Sanders Snooker and Pool Table Services, a Fareham-based family-run firm that can be contacted via www.snookerandpooltableservices.co.uk/ .