GWENT’S Mark Williams and Lee Walker are two of five Welshmen just one win away from qualifying for snooker’s World Championship.

Dominic Dale, Jamie Jones and Michael White are the principality’s other cuemen hoping to make the Crucible this year.

Cwm ace Williams was taken to a final-frame decider by Liam Highfield in round two of the qualifiers at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre before winning 10-9.

The 2000 and 2003 world champion now faces world number 48 Stuart Carrington, whose only Crucible appearance came two years ago when he lost to Judd Trump in the first round.

So far at the qualifiers he has beaten Alex Borg 10-2 and Andrew Higginson 10-6.

The Williams-Carrington match starts at 5pm today, with the second session tomorrow at the same time.

Meanwhile, Newbridge’s Walker is on the brink of a return to the Crucible after a 13-year absence.

The 1997 quarter-finalist edged out fellow Welshman Matthew Stevens and then defeated Reanne Evans 10-6 to set up a clash with Thailand’s Noppon Saengkham.

Walker’s opponent got the better of Cwmbran’s Jak Jones in round one and then beat Anthony Hamilton 10-9.

Like Williams, Walker’s tie begins at 5pm today and resumes at the same time tomorrow.

Dale plays Belgium’s Luca Brecel, Jones face3 2006 world champion Graeme Dott, and White plays Gary Wilson.

The qualifiers finish tomorrow and the final stages begin on Saturday morning with Mark Selby defending his title and bidding for a third world crown overall.