PICKERING snooker professional Paul Davison has almost certainly regained a place on the game's Main Tour next season after reaching the semi-finals of a Challenge Tour tournament in Prestatyn.

Davison claimed some high profile scalps in his run of five victories in the second of this season's Challenge Tour events, which will likely put him in top spot on the Tour.

In his third match, he beat former world number two and world championship semi-finalist Tony Knowles 5-2 and then knocked out former world number seven Steve James 5-3 to reach the last eight. But after beating Huddersfield's Kuldesh Johal 5-2 in the quarter-finals, Davison lost 5-1 to Kent's Hugh Abernethy.

In the first of this season's Challenge Tour tournaments, in September, Davison reached the final where he lost to Stefan Mazrocis.

"I'm over the moon," Davison said of his latest performances. "This should put me number one in the Challenge Tour and it's 99pc certain I'll be back on the Main Tour next season.

"I'm a bit disappointed to have lost in the semi-final but he played well, making three breaks of over 60 and one of 90. I beat Abernethy 10-6 two years ago in the world championship qualifiers but he was better this time.

"And losing in the semi-finals is a big difference in prize money. I got £1,000, but had I won, I'd have got £2,500 and then it goes up to £5,000 for the final.

"I have got to be pleased with the way I'm playing. I've put in a lot of hard work and tried to relax more, though I was a bit more edgy when I played against Abernethy."

The next date for Davison, who works at Filey Snooker Centre, will be the Embassy World Championship qualifying rounds at Prestatyn starting on January 13. These count towards the Challenge Tour and have double ranking points at stake.

There are two more Challenge Tour tournaments to come at Prestatyn, one in February and the final one in May.

The top 16 qualify for the Main Tour next season.

Updated: 12:11 Wednesday, December 10, 2003