ON turning professional, James Frith could soon be rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in the world of snooker.

But the action will take place on the fast and frantic 9 Ball Pool table, the sport which the Sandiway man hopes will bring him his pot of gold.

Steve Davies, Jimmy White and Tony Drago have turned their cues to this fast growing game, and James will be joining them early next year.

But the main aim of the 20-year-old is to chalk up three years on the professional circuit and secure a place in the country's top 32.

He will play his first ranking tournament in January, beginning a year which could bring glory in the summer, with the World and European Championships.

"It's a good time to get into it and I'm going to go in and give it my best shot," said James.

"It's an up and coming sport. Steve Davies and Jimmy White have got into it, and it's covered by Sky Sports. It's becoming the second most popular cue sport, overtaking English Pool."

James will be the only full-time 9 Ball pool professional in Mid-Cheshire, where, despite the sport's growing profile, it hasn't really taken off.

He added: "I travel to Altrincham and Manchester to practice and play regularly in competitions.

"9 Ball has its own sized table and balls, and there's nowhere locally that has caught on to it yet."

James is a seasoned snooker player, and represents Owley Wood in the Hyundai Mid Cheshire Snooker League, which gives him a better grounding for the 9 Ball game than English Pool.

"It's a bit more skilful and there's more ball control, so it's closer to snooker in that sense" explained James.

"But it's quick and very enjoyable and the level of competition is very strong on the UK tour.

"All the tournaments will get me points and I hope to go up the list to where there's a lot of prize money.

"I've played a lot as an amateur but being professional gives me the status to get straight into the World and Europeans."

James' three-year commitment to the tour will be worked around a part-time job while he attempts to pocket the prize money.

In the mean time, he is looking for some sponsorship to help him start out.

"I would be grateful for any sponsorship. it's nothing massive, just to cover expenses for travelling."

If anyone would like to help James, contact the Guardian on 43333.

AN INTRODUCTION TO 9 BALL POOL

BALLS are numbered 1 to 9 and, simply, whoever pots the number 9 ball wins.

On getting to the table, the player must hit the lowest numbered ball first. Therefore, only one ball an be addressed and the player can only play for position on the next numbered ball.

A 'rack' can be won by clearing the balls 1 to 9 either in one break or between both players.

Any ball, including the crucial 9 Ball, can be potted on any visit to the table, as long as lowest numbered ball was hit first in the shot.

9 Ball Pool balls are the size of standard snooker balls and the table bigger then the dimensions of a normal English Pool table.

One game is called a rack. James Frith's last match was the best of 19 racks, but this number varies depending on the level of competition.

Professional viewpoint: :James Frith - "The best way to win a rack is to pot any ball from the break then pot the rest of the balls in numerical order. I spend hours practising doing this from a break because if you let your opponent to the table, the standard is so good that they'll probably finish the rack in one visit."