Blog

I’m back after a relaxing week in the sun, refreshed and raring to go for the defence of my Welsh Open title next week. It was great to get away, but it’s also great to get back to work on the practice table – I’ve lost one of my trophies, I don’t intend to let go of this one.

The break in Lanzarote was just what I needed after my defeat in the Masters final. Me and Vikki spent most of the week lying in the sun – I know there’s been a lot of snow around the country the last week or so, so don’t think I’m trying to rub it in. But if it’s any consolation, we did have one or two days where it rained on and off!

If anything, the resort we were staying at was a bit too quiet, we were by far the younger ones there. Still, it was good to not have to pick up a cue for a week.

I’ve been practising hard this week, and I’ve arranged a couple of practice matches with Michael Holt and Joe Perry.

I’m looking forward to going back to Newport. As well as my fond memories of winning there last year, it’s also a place I know quite well having spent a lot of time there in qualifiers before they moved to Prestatyn. So to win in Newport last year was very special.

I know I will have my work cut out in my first-round match against Paul Davies. He’s not a player I know too well – on or off the table – but he must be playing well to have knocked out Barry Hawkins 5-4 in the final qualifying round.

One thing Paul will have is a big following, being a local boy from just down the road in Cardiff. I thrive on the big crowds as well, it always seems to bring out the best in me.

I took a trip to London this week in the car – I would recommend anyone thinking about doing the same thing to avoid it!

Going to London is absolutely fine, it’s the driving part that I don’t like. I was attending a HotShot campaign function, and was due to catch the 8.30am train from Leicester. I gave myself an hour to cross town but still ended up missing the train because I got caught up in the morning rush hour.

There was nothing else for it but to drive to London. And let it be said: never again!

As you know, I haven’t been driving that long, so taking on the London traffic really was a baptism of fire.

No matter what I did, where I indicated, what lane I was in, it seemed to be wrong! People were beeping at me all over the place, and I got cut up so many times, mostly by buses. They’re a lot bigger than me, so I had to let them get away with it. Aaaargh!

Mind you, at least I was comfortable. I was thinking about swapping cars with my manager Mukesh, because his is a bit newer than mine, but when I realised mine has got a six-CD changer and heated seats – a real luxury in this weather – it was no contest! Sorry Muke, you’re not having it after all!

I managed to get to my function in one piece, despite being slightly late. We were given a tour of the NSPCC and saw how the ChildLine counselling rooms work, meeting a few of the volunteers and counsellors. It’s always worth doing something for the HotShot campaign, which aims to encourage youngsters to take up snooker. Anything I can do to help raise the profile of the sport for the younger generation is a good thing.

As well as myself, the other ‘HotShots’ are Mark Allen, Jamie Cope, Daniel Wells and Michael Georgiou. Players under 25 were invited to apply and I thought it would be a good thing to do. The application process was just like The Apprentice – we were being fired questions by a rather intimidating-looking panel of judges. I don’t know which was worse, that or driving in London!

It’s St Valentine’s on Saturday – I hope you all have a great time, whatever you choose to do. As for me, I’ve got snooker practice to go to!

*See my personal picture gallery for more photos from my visit to the NSPCC and ChildLine.