ISLAND snooker player Ray Kilmartin was delighted with his performances in the World Snooker Championship held in Thailand over the past two weeks.

The 25-year-old accountant, who has lived in Jersey for four years, placed eighth in his 13-player group, the top four of whom qualified for the knock-out stages of the competition.

Kilmartin won six of his 12 Group B games in Korat with three of his defeats either 4-3 or 4-2.

‘It was a fantastic experience,’ said the Irishman, ‘It was a lovely place, too, and if I had the chance to I’d go back tomorrow.

‘It was a long way to go and my chief aim was to play well and looking back now I believe I achieved that.

‘Conditions were totally different to what they are in the clubs in Jersey, the table pockets were very tight and the opposition were extremely good players.

‘Matches were taking place at the same time on 16 tables in the same arena, each was covered for television and crowds in the group matches ranged from between 20 to 300.

‘It was highly competitive too – there were some amazing standard players on view.

Yes, I missed out on a couple of wins after leading by two frames but it balanced out as I won a couple of matches by the odd frame too.

‘It was a wonderful experience and one I hope to repeat as I’ve had an invite to compete in next year’s championships in Austria.

I don’t know if any other Jersey players will get an opportunity to compete there, too, but I hope so.’

Kilmartin, who was supported by Foxleigh Knight & Co, Jersey United Services members and veterans, Lifeboat CafŽ, Channel Blind Company and Byron Le Cornu Builders, won 32 frames and lost 34.

Jersey referee Gary Truscott officiated at the championships, his highlight was refereeing the semi-final between eventual winner Atthasit Mahitthi, of Thailand, and Belgium’s six times national and twice European champion Djorn Hanever.

‘The championships were first class,’ said Truscott, who is now the proud holder of a gold badge for refereeing in a world event.

‘As well as refereeing I went to a meeting with delegates from the 52 countries and along with South Africa and Scotland we have been asked to look into the possibility of hosting the 2010 European or World championship.’

A European event would attract around 30 countries while the World event would attract over 50.