Pickering snooker professional Paul Davison is hoping to have at least consolidated his good position in the rankings after having reached the last 16 of the fourth tournament of the Pontin's International Open Series.

He was in 14th place at the start of the present event and thinks it unlikely he'll be overtaken by anyone remaining in the event following his exit at Prestatyn. The top eight at the end of the series of eight tournaments go into snooker's Main Tour list.

Although beaten 4-2 by Irishman Brendan O'Donoghue in the last 16, Davison thought he played his best snooker of the competition. In the earlier rounds he had beaten Matt Emms 4-3, Adam Wicheard 4-2 and Gyles Behbood 4-1.

Davison stole the opening frame from O'Donoghue by making a winning clearance after being 50 behind with three reds remaining. The Irishman won the second frame with an 87 break and stole the third with a winning clearance after Davison had made a 54 break.

The Pickering player, who works at Filey Snooker Club, got back one frame but O'Donoghue sewed up victory with a 66 break in the sixth frame.

The next tournament in the series is at the end of November.

Updated: 10:37 Thursday, October 20, 2005