Trowbridge snooker star Stephen Lee qualified for the World Championships with one of the best breaks of his career, and says he is finally enjoying playing the game again.

The 34-year-old has endured a tough year where he slipped out of the prestigious top 16 players in the world, meaning he had to qualify for next month’s Sheffield showpiece at the Crucible.

At one stage in Monday’s game Lee was 6-3 down to Bristol’s teenage prodigy Judd Trump but tapped into reserves of courage and spirit to re-discover his form of old.

“It was a massive win in one of the biggest games in my career,” said Lee.

“I couldn’t consider not going to the Crucible even in an up-and-down season like this one.

“I knew my form was just around the corner and my last clearance against Judd was the best I’ve ever done.

“It was 9-8, looking like being 9-9 and I was 58 behind.

“I made 59 to win the game and it was a massive relief. Even the referee said he didn’t know where I found that.

“A lot of players said to me afterwards it was one of the best they had ever seen.

“I didn’t realise what I’d done at first as I was so focused. I just wish I’d had this determination all year.”

Lee has been drawn against world number eight Ryan Day in the first round of the World Championship and is on course for a meeting with boyhood friend Ronnie O’Sullivan in the quarter-finals.

The former Welsh Open champion says he considered giving up the game when at his lowest ebb but is now looking forward to every match again.

“I grew up with Ronnie and used to beat him all the time as a kid and I don’t think he’s ever forgiven me for it,” laughed Lee.

“Ronnie spends extra time getting himself ready for big tournaments but I’ve never done that before.

“However I’m going to the China Open first at the end of this month, where I’ll play Mark Selby, and will just let my arm go and try to keep my form going into the World Championships. I don’t feel as though there is any pressure on me at the moment.

“I was at a loose end last year when I was putting in hour after hour of practice but not getting anywhere.

“I was at the stage where I’d rather watch my kids grow up and enjoy the smiles on their faces than be in-volved in the pressure cooker of professional snooker.

“Sport is all about confidence and it’s been hard to find. But now I’ve got half a chance of getting back into the top 16 and I’m enjoying the game again.