Keighley teenager Dylan Mitchell admitted to feeling surprisingly comfortable walking out to play world No 1 Neil Robertson at the UK Snooker Championships.

Mitchell, one of seven amateurs in this year’s competition in York, faced the Australian yesterday evening, eventually losing 6-0.

But the 18-year-old was not convinced the scoreline accurately reflected the contest and he is already excited about returning for another crack next year.

Mitchell said: “I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would be. I think I expected so much more, so then it wasn’t as bad – but it was obviously nervy.

“I wasn’t fazed – it’s a good venue to play. I’ll definitely come back and hopefully have a good season this year in the other qualifiers.

“It was closer than the 6-0, I thought. I had my chances but I just didn’t take them really. That’s the difference at this level.

“I’ve learned you need to take your chances because you are only going to get one or two at this level – maybe you don’t even get a single chance, so you’ve just got to take it when it comes.”

Meanwhile, Peter Lines also saw his UK Championship campaign come to an end, losing 6-2 to world No 12 Ricky Walden this afternoon.

The 43-year-old Leeds potter was pleased to see Mitchell and his fellow amateurs get their chance – but he was disappointed his 18-year-old son Oliver was not one of them.

“He has been really gutted that he’s not in it because, to be honest, he is probably better than some of those that have played in it this season,” he said.

“I think he is certainly good enough – he has just got to get himself in there now.

“He’s going to struggle when he gets on, don’t get me wrong, but he is certainly good enough to get on and take it from there.

“He’s in the play-offs at the end of the year to try and get on the main tour, so hopefully at the end of this season he’ll do it.

“It’s up to him to get himself there. He is doing everything he can to do it, so hopefully the end of the year.”

Former Bradford resident James Wattana was beaten 6-1 last night by Ding Junhui.

The 42-year-old twice World Championship semi-finalist won the first frame 77-36 with a 60 break but could not build on that.

* British Eurosport is the home of snooker, showing 19 tournaments this season including the World Championship, UK Championship, the Masters and all ranking events, available on Sky, Virgin Media & BT or online/on mobile via eurosportplayer.co.uk.