Snooker player set for big time (From Barry And District News)

Snooker player set for big time

A BARRY born snooker player is sliding up the world rankings, on line to compete at the Crucible.

Anthony Davies, 32, is from Barry Island. But his career is taking him to pastures new.

Tomorrow, he flies off to Shanghai for the Chinese Open, before heading to the Thailand Masters in Bangkok. Then he's bound for Newport and a preliminary stage of the Embassy World Championships. If he wins that, he will be guaranteed a place in the final.

The father-of-two told the News: "This season is turning out to be one of the best of my career. Since beating Stephen Hendry five sets to one in the British Open last September, I have been slowly but surely moving up the world ranks."

Anthony started the season 31st in the world, but he is now 25th. And with four more tournaments to go, Anthony is confident he will make the Embassy World Championship in the Sheffield Crucible. He said: "If I win in Newport, as well as the tournaments abroad, the Crucible is open to me. I've qualified twice, which is a huge achievement for anyone. I don't know how I'll do, but you've got to be in it to win it."

He added: "I became interested in snooker at a young age. But though I was quite good, I've got where I am through determination and practice. The worst part is being away from my two children and my wife Samantha. But she's my rock, and is always waiting for me when I come home."

The Rom Club on Broad Street is where Anthony can be found most days. He said: "I'm sponsored by the internet site 110Sport.com. But the club is brilliant. The centre table is tournament standard, and is kept solely for me."

Anthony runs a junior snooker club on Sunday mornings. He added: "I like to give something back to the club. Children aged 10 to 16 come along every Sunday, providing I'm in the country."

For more information, contact Club Rom on 01446 735226 after 12 noon.