POTTER Stuart Carrington is determined to show his true colours as he prepares for a return to the Main Tour.
The 22-year-old booked his place on the professional snooker circuit – for 2013/2014 – with two victories in Sheffield last month, and will chalk up against the sport's biggest names from Thursday next week.
With Gloucester his first destination, Carrington – who endured a tough debut season in 2011 – hopes improved consistency will make his second journey to the summit a more enjoyable experience.
He said: "I'm absolutely buzzing and couldn't wish for anything more. I played so well, and dealt with the pressure – I woke up on the Monday morning on top of the world.
"My aim now is to get off to a solid start. In the first year you hope to just win a few matches, which will help towards gaining enough points to push on in the second year.
"I'm a much better player now than before – my game has improved a good 75 per cent in the last 12 months. And the main improvement is with my break-building.
"When I get chances now, I punish my opponent more often then I was doing – I'm undoubtedly more consistent now."
After beating practice partner Jeff Cundy (4-2) in round one of the professional qualifier, Carrington then whitewashed Adam Wicheard (4-0) in fine style to clinch his Main Tour return.
The Grimsby potter even had the chance to register a maximum break of 147 in the decisive frame, but elected to play safe, on 72, when he ran slightly out of position. Nonetheless Carrington – who pocketed four breaks over 70 – was delighted with his performance in Sheffield.
He added: "My first match was really tough. Me and Jeff have so much respect for each other, and he played really well on the day – I had to fight hard.
"If Jeff had won it wouldn't have been an injustice. But, I managed to come through at the right time, despite the nerves and pressure.
"And after that I didn't miss a thing in the second match."
On missing out what could have been a historic maximum, Carrington declared: "I potted a red above the black and developed the table – the balls were spread nicely and I had a good chance of a 147.
"But at first I wanted to get to 50, and make sure I was halfway there in the frame. I landed on a red, but position on the black was difficult.
Winning the frame, and match, was so much more important. I decided to play safe and saw the game – the relief and excitement was just incredible."
Despite his achievement, Carrington will not have much time to rest his cue action ahead of the new season – which gets underway at the Capital Venue next month.
And that Australian Open qualifier will mark the beginning of a new era for the sport, which has installed a new seeding method.
Indeed, with all players entering competitions at the first stage, lower-ranked pros like Carrington will be hoping to make their mark amongst the snooker elite.
