My first match was against David Walsh and I was comprehensively beaten 7-2. This put me bottom of the group with everything to do. I then played a guy called Lee, and was 5-2 before finally I started to play something like I am capable of and reeled off the next five racks to win 7-5.

I then Mark Hardy and won 7-3. Mark is a young player who showed glimpses of some good play. I played him four years ago when he was about 12 and since then the improvement was obvious.

I then played my last game against Phil Burford the current pro tour number 2 in the U.K. who was already through to the knock-out stages. It certainly showed in his play as I managed to stay with him and run out the last rack for a good 7-6 win. My early bad showing cost me dear as I was eliminated on rack difference. Lee lost 7-6 to David so if he could have squeezed that match I would have gone through. Never mind. Towards the end of the match I was playing quite well and as long as I keep improving it certainly will not be long before I start getting some better results.

I am looking forward to the next tournament and once I get paid this week I will be buying a set of pro TV pool balls which should help my play.