BEN Rowland enjoyed a ground-breaking tour to China shortly after becoming British junior champion.

The young professional, from Abingdon, beat his Oxfordshire teammate Hassan Ali 4-1 to take the national title.

Then Rowland, the reigning world under 21 champion, joined leading British senior players in flying to China to compete in the Chinese 8-ball Championship.

“This game is like American pool, played on a ten-foot snooker table,” explained Rowland. “I lost all my games, but it was a great experience.”

His next competition is the European Championships at Bridlington this month.