JACKSON Page may not have made the impression he was hoping for at this week’s Welsh Open but the Gwent teenager is loving an “unbelievable” first year on professional snooker’s world tour.

The Ebbw Vale potter, who burst onto the scene in Cardiff three years ago with a run to the third round, couldn’t clear the first hurdle this time following a 4-3 defeat by England’s Kyren Wilson.

He showed great composure to come back from 2-0 down – Wilson also made a 147 break in the opener – to lead 3-2 and go within one frame of victory.

However, world number eight Wilson demonstrated why he is among the best players on the planet, levelling the match at 3-3 before taking the decider to go into round two.

Speaking afterwards, 18-year-old Page was understandably disappointed to lose from a promising position, but the youngster also went on to say that he is enjoying life on the main tour.

He earned a two-year tour card last February after winning the EBSA European U21 Championship.

Reflecting on the loss to Wilson first, he said: “I probably had a chance at 3-2, not an easy chance, but a chance, and after that the match slowly drifted away from me.

“The table was lightning, I couldn’t keep the white under control, it was so quick – unbelievable.

“I couldn’t really get used to the conditions.

“I played rubbish, it was nowhere near how I can play, but that’s purely because the table was so quick, which is a good thing, but I couldn’t get used to it.

“It looked like he was playing well, the first frame was faultless, but I knew it was only one frame and I could easily make four breaks, maybe not like his but similar.

“I’ve lost a lot of deciders this season against some top players and it’s starting to get on my nerves now.

“I have won a couple of them but hopefully I’ll win a couple more or I’ll lose my head.”

He added: “After my first year at the Welsh Open, I should have qualified for the professional tour, but a few things happened and I ended up not getting on.

“I had a year off on the Challenge Tour so that was a bit of a dull year, but obviously I’m now on the tour.

“I haven’t had a bad start. “I wouldn’t say it’s been really good, but it’s been okay.

“I’m doing alright but I obviously could do better.

“There’s only a few tournaments left this season. There’s Gibraltar and the shoot-out, and the worlds is the big one. I’ll keep on playing and hopefully I can improve.

“Life on tour is good. It’s unbelievable, the places you go when you do qualify, and just knowing you’re on there is great.”