Six-time snooker world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan's offer to Havant potting prospect Jamie Wilson

And the teenage potter, 17, told of the 'good advice' the six-time world champion gave him following their meeting in the WST Pro Series group phase last month.

Wilson is still in his first year on the professional tour and currently in the process of trying to reach the World Championship main draw.

He made the perfect start in his first round qualifying match yesterday, whitewashing Barry Pinches - a player 33 years his senior - 6-0 at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

Wilson still needs to win through three more qualifying rounds to reach the main draw and snooker's iconic Crucible Theatre venue.

But whatever happens in what will be the final few matches of his maiden year as a pro, the past seven months can provide him with a base to build from with the teenager holding a two-year tour card.

Wilson has been afforded the opportunities to face the sport's best players consistently this season.

There was no tougher test than coming up against world number one O'Sullivan in the Pro Series group stage last month.

But Wilson told how after his 2-0 defeat the Rocket gave him some words of advice and even offered him a future practice match when coronavirus restrictions allow.

The Havant prospect said: ‘It’s been brilliant (first season on tour).

‘The first half of the season I started off slowly but then towards the end I’ve started getting quite a few results so it’s definitely been getting better towards the end of it.

‘The experience of playing Ronnie, having a chat with him afterwards, playing all the other pros - it’s been a great experience.

‘He (Ronnie) told me I definitely need to tighten up my matchplay.

‘He said I could go down and play him once this coronavirus is over and stuff - he gave me loads of really good advice.’

Wilson will now be hoping to follow up his hammering of Pinches with another World Championship qualifying win on Thursday.

Welshman Jak Jones is his second round qualifying opponent knowing victory in that would take him to within two wins of reaching the Crucible.

Reflecting on his emphatic triumph over Pinches, Wilson said: ‘I’m so happy, over the moon.

‘I played pretty well, I took my chances pretty well towards the end of the match, but I started off a bit slowly.

‘The second frame was quite crucial, I fluked a ball and cleared up and that gave me a bit of an advantage towards my win. I was really happy with it.’