Snooker: Welshman Matthew Stevens hopes to delay his end of season holiday by at least two weeks until the Embassy World Championship finishes in Sheffield.

And Stevens, who opens his campaign against Peter Ebdon today, had better not make firm plans with the possibility of an all-expenses-paid trip to Australia waiting for him.

Stevens and stablemate Paul Hunter have been handed some lucrative incentives to succeed at the Crucible Theatre this year.

They will even receive prizes for potting their way onto the century break board.

Stevens, a runner-up to John Higgins in this season's UK Championship, and Yorkshireman Hunter have teamed up with Bartercard (UK) to sign a sponsorship deal with a difference.

For every ton - up to a maximum of five - they will collect a £500 holiday voucher. Should either of them compile a maximum 147 break then they will receive business class flights and a holiday of a lifetime in Port Douglas, Queensland.

And if they succeed John Higgins as champion then there is the carrot of a £20,000 cash bonus.

It all adds up to a valuable package so Stevens will not be lacking motivation against the 1996 Sheffield runner-up.

On his debut 12 months ago the world number 26 reached the last eight before coming unstuck against Ken Doherty.

"Not to have got to Sheffield would have been really disappointing because I've had a good season," said the 21-year-old from Carmarthen.

"It will be tough against a player of Peter's pedigree but there are never any easy matches here."

Former champion Doherty returns to action this morning requiring only two frames to reach round two at the expense of former Cannock postman Steve James.

The Irish number one leads 8-1 against the player who prevented Stephen Hendry from becoming the only first time champion to retain his title.

Hendry reached the last eight in 1991 before James halted his progress. And despite his first session hammering against Doherty, the 37-year-old showed he can still play the game with a 137 clearance. However, it should be sooner rather than later when Doherty makes further progress. He would meet 1995 finalist Nigel Bond, a 10-6 winner yesterday against Welshman Dominic Dale.

The all-Asian clash between Hong Kong's Marco Fu and James Wattana of Thailand is being awaited in the UK as much as it is in the Far East.

Fu is a former holder of the World Under-21 and World Junior titles. He is already being tipped to become only the second overseas winner of the World Professional crown.

He has risen from 377th in the rankings at the start of the season to 39th on the provisionals and at 66-1 he is a good value outside wager.

John Parrott survived an opening round scare last night before beating Ulsterman Terry Murphy 10-8.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.