AFTER winning the European Professional Pool title Chris Melling has secured victory in snooker's first Challenge Tour event

The 23-year-old is aiming for a place on the senior snooker tour and his 6-2 defeat of Tom Ford in the final at the Towers Snooker Club in Mansfield has set him well on the way.

The top eight from the Challenge Tour will be promoted to the main tour next season.

"I want to become one of the best in the world and this has given me a good platform to build on," Chris said.

He picked up a cheque for £3,000 after winning the European Masters 8-ball and followed up with a £5,000 pay day in the snooker event.

"I haven't been practising at all but I have changed my game. I've cut out the risky shots and people have said that my safety play has improved tremendously.

"Last season I was knocking in century breaks but losing matches. I've learned that you've got to play a percentage game at snooker," he said .