PRACTICE needs to make perfect for Ben Harrison in double-quick time after his long-term backer popped up at the last minute to hand him another shot at breaking into the professional ranks.

Hawkeridge hopeful Harrison, 24, had given up hope of once again tackling World Snooker’s unforgiving Q School event, where four two-year cards on the World Snooker Tour will be on offer for semi-finalists across two tournaments, but sponsor Steve White stumped up the funds for his entry fee a day before the deadline for entries on April 6.

Harrison, who won the English Amateur Championship in 2014, now has the security of working as an estate agent for DK Residential in Trowbridge, where he now lives, but snooker remains his passion and at the Meadowside Leisure Centre in Burton on May 11, the Wiltshire cueman says that he’s ready to give his all once again in his fourth Q School campaign.

“Last year, I took some time to concentrate on work but I just love playing and I’ve been playing in local leagues to keep my game where it should be,” said Harrison, who is father to two-year-old son Cruz.

“Steve White, who owns Bath Contract Flooring, has always helped me out and he pretty much got me started when I first started playing. He asked me if I was going to Q School this year and when I said that I wasn’t, he offered to pay the £600 entry fee, so I owe him a lot.

“I’d been playing two or three times a week at the Westbury Labour Club but I’m going to practice every day now.

“Like always, I’m going to need a lot of luck, but even if you don’t go all the way, you can get picked for professional tournaments for winning a lot of frames, like I did when I went to the Australian Open and the China Open (in 2013).”

At 2015’s Q School, Harrison, made it through three rounds of Event One before losing to former pro Alex Davies but he was knocked out in his opening match in Event Two.