A YOUNG snooker ace from Stockton-on-the- Forest making a hit in his bid for fame has a star fan.

Paul Hunter, the world No 12 professional player, took time out to phone 11-year-old Steven Gregson to wish him good luck in the English Under-14s Championship.

And the youngster responded by reaching the last 32 in his first major tournament. Steven won two of his three round-robin group matches at Gateshead last weekend to qualify for the next stage of the championship, which is to be played in March.

He lost his first match, against Stephen Craigie, from Wallsend, on the black ball in the deciding frame but won his next two matches. The Stockton-on-the- Forest lad lost his opening frame 73-30, won the next 63-38 and was pipped 60-53 on black in the third.

In his next match he beat John Craig, from Newcastle, 2-0 with 74-39 and 49-36 frame scores. Steven then beat Gavin Robinson, from Bishop Auckland, 2-0 with frame scores of 60-31 and 54-25.

There were more than 80 competitors in the opening round matches played at several venues throughout England. The last 32 stage is on March 4, possibly at the Willie Thorne Snooker Centre in Leicester. The 16 winners will go through to the final stages in May, and the national champion will win £150.

Steven is no stranger to taking home trophies. He has won three outright from Harrogate Manhattan Snooker Club's monthly tournaments after winning three times in succession for three sets of tournaments there.

For the past year he has been coached at the Manhattan Club by professional Steve Prest, who is also coach to the Iceland national team.

"Steven has come on very well in the past year," he said. "He does have genuine potential. Gavin Robinson got to the Under-14 semi-finals last year and Steven beat him 2-0, which shows that Steven has the chance to do well in the next round."

Steven's parents are Stewart and Debbie Gregson and his older brother Kevin and younger brother Lee are also keen snooker players.

Updated: 10:49 Saturday, January 20, 2001