The 15-year-old from Skellingthorpe successfully came through the qualifying stages at his local Riley’s sports bar in Lincoln before winning his regional heat in Sheffield.
Steven finished with the highest points score following a set of six snooker skill tasks helping to secure a place in last month’s London finals at Riley’s flagship venue in Victoria Street.
Judged by snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan, the eight regional finalists had to undertake five tasks each with a different point’s value.
Unfortunately the cheque for £5,000 and the chance of some mentoring from the man widely referred to as “The Rocket” eluded the Priory LSST Academy pupil.
But the youngster, who first picked up his cue at the age of eight admitted the route to London had been a memorable experience nevertheless.
He said: “Obviously I was disappointed not to win the competition after getting that far.
“I didn’t imagine ever getting that far if I’m honest although I aspired to get as far as possible because I believed in my ability.
“The experience was great, I was a little nervous in the finals with a few of my shots but it was great to play in front of Ronnie.”
“He spoke to me after, he realises people get nervous in front of the cameras but he said I had the talent to do it.
Nicknamed the Lincoln Legend, Steven has hit maximum 147 breaks in practice on the line-up exercise and hopes to hone his talents further by entering the same competition again next year while he is still eligible.
“Hopefully I will enter the competition again next year because it will be my last year as it’s a tournament for 16-year-olds and under”, he added.
The Future Stars of Snooker was introduced by Riley’s and it’s Ambassador O’Sullivan in 2010 and searches for the UK’s best young snooker talent.
