Ritchie Venner, the Sussex No 1, is back on the Grand Prix circuit and firing on all cylinders.

At Paignton in the Pengelly Memorial Tournament, the Crawley star reached the semi finals.

After flooring five victims Venner reached the last four by stopping the brilliant run of 16-year-old Devon junior, Craig Bryant, who earlier recorded the shock of the day by eliminating the Welsh No.3, Stephen Jenkins.

Venner's bid for the final was ended by the eventual winner, Marco Essomba, from the Camaroon, recording his second Grand Prix success. He won the Sussex Open Grand Prix last October. Essomba triumphed against Venner 11-5, 11-8, 11-8.

Venner said: "I had a tough group so I am really delighted to reach the semi-finals. My best win was over the Welsh squad No.4 Wynn Griffiths.

"I'm now hoping to return to the Grand Prix circuit on a slightly more regular basis starting again in ten days time at the Sussex Open at Hastings, where I am told I have been seeded No. 8."

In the men's singles final at Paignton Essomba defeated Bradley Billington, the Derbyshire coach, 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8.

Gail Davey, (Eastbourne) was the only Sussex lady in Devon.

She lost to eventual winner from the Czech Republic, Marketa Myskova in the first round.

The British Grand Prix circuit will move out of the UK for the first time on January 5 to 6 next year when it moves to Ireland.