Darrell Whitworth exited the English U19 tournament at the quarter-final stage in Leeds.

The Bedford potter qualified for the knockout stages of the competition following a strong performance at the Willie Thorne Snooker Centre in Leicester and advanced to the last 16 from a field of 80 entrants.

In Yorkshire, Whitworth faced defending champion John Astley in the last 16 and triumphed after a tense three-hour encounter.

After losing two of the first three frames, Whitworth won the fourth and fifth frames to edge in front before Astley levelled at things up at 3-3.

The seventh and deciding frame was a nip and tuck affair which went down to the pink and black, but it was Whitworth who held his nerve to sink the remaining balls and clinch the match.

In the quarter-finals, Whitworth faced Adam Duffy – the 2008 winner of the Paul Hunter Snooker Scholarship – but was second best for the majority of their clash, losing 4-1.

Whitworth, who is hoping to enter the Pontins International Open Series and the EASB Pro Ticket tournaments, is on the lookout for any potential sponsors to assist him with entry fees, travel and accommodation.

Anyone who may be able to help should contact Whitworth on dazzawhit_147@hotmail.co.uk.