HAWKERIDGE’S Ben Harrison could get used to life in front of the cameras after making his live television debut at the Rotterdam Open last Friday.

Harrison, 22, took on world number 12 Matthew Stevens in a gruelling first round encounter screened by Eurosport, the Wiltshire amateur eventually being bested 4-3 by the 2003-04 UK Championship winner.

Harrison was surprised by how easily he fought off the nerves and thinks he did himself proud in front of the biggest audience of his career.

“It was amazing. I’ve wanted the chance to do it for a while but it didn’t happen at all last year because a lot of other amateurs were getting drawn against the top pros,” said Harrison, who beat Michael Wild and Charlie Walters 4-2 to set up the first-round tie.

“I was 2-0 down in my second qualifier and just thought ‘what am I doing?’ – I knew how much I wanted to get there but luckily I sorted myself out.

“It was really different because you had to go into a media room first and take your cue out of the case there. I’m used to 20 or 30 people in the room but there were so many more than that there.

“It was pretty nerve-wracking but I was surprised at how quickly I settled down. I thought that it might take a whole frame but it was a lot quicker than that.

“You obviously don’t want to make an idiot of yourself when you’re on TV for the first time and I was proud of how I did.

“I just want every game to be like that now. I’ve watched it back since and my family are proud of me too.”

Harrison, who trains at the Player’s club in Westbury, has been handed a boost by the news that friend and world number one Judd Trump could soon be available as a regular training partner.

He said: “Judd’s moving back to Bristol and that’s great because I’ll be able to go and play him three or four times a week – it’s the best news I’ve had in ages.”

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