Ashley Carty Secures Play-Off Spot with Q Tour Europe Victory in Belgium

Ashley Carty defeated Craig Steadman 4-1 to win the sixth event of the 2025-26 Q Tour Europe season at the Delta Moon Snooker Club in Mons, Belgium. This victory guarantees Carty a place in the upcoming Q Tour Global Play-Offs, where three coveted two-year World Snooker Tour (WST) tour cards are at stake.

Race for the Tour Card Heats Up

The penultimate event of the Q Tour Europe series intensified the competition for the top spot in the ranking list, which automatically secures a two-year WST tour card. Jamie Clarke entered the Mons event with a chance to confirm his return to the professional ranks, but a last 32 defeat to Germany’s Umut Dikme dashed those hopes. Peter Lines, Hammad Miah, and Stuart Carrington, also among the leading contenders, failed to advance to the concluding day of action.

Carty’s Path to Victory

Carty, who had previously been unable to progress beyond the last 16 stage in other Q Tour events this season, navigated a field of 78 players from 20 countries to claim the title. He began strongly with a 4-1 win against France’s Yannick Tarillon, highlighted by a break of 125 – his highest of the tournament.

He then secured a deciding frame victory over Oliver Briffett-Payne after trailing 2-0, followed by a 4-1 defeat of Dikme to reach the quarter-finals. Carty continued his impressive form, defeating George Pragnell (4-1) and Oliver Sykes (4-2) to earn his place in the final.

Steadman Falls in Second Final Appearance

Craig Steadman, a former professional, was appearing in his second Q Tour Europe final of the season, having previously lost to Jamie Clarke at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds. He reached the final in Mons by defeating Ashley Hugill 4-2.

A High-Scoring Final

The final between Carty and Steadman was a high-scoring affair. Carty took the opening frame with a break of 85, but Steadman quickly responded with a half-century to level the match. Carty regained the lead with a contribution of 116 and extended his advantage to 3-1 on the colours.

A confident performance in the fifth frame sealed the victory for Carty.

Carty’s Reaction

“I feel great. I’ve hit some good form over the last few months and won quite a few tournaments in England – my confidence has gone through the roof,” Carty said after his win. “I am over the moon to secure my place in the Q Tour Global Play-Offs, that was one of my objectives at the start of the season so I’m thrilled. It was heartbreaking to drop off the Tour but you’ve got to get your head around it and get on with it. It would mean everything to get back on the Tour – I won the Play-Offs a few years ago and so hopefully I can that again!”

Final Q Tour Europe Event Details

The seventh and final Q Tour Europe event will be held from February 26th to March 1st at the Landywood Snooker Club in Walsall, England. Players can enter via WPBSA SnookerScores.