Former World No. 8 Darren Morgan and James Wattana, once as high as Number Three, both won through contrasting matches @ Pontin's in the Grand Prix qualifying round on the opening day of the season.

Morgan, who got married during the summer, rounded off a pretty day all round for the Welsh contingent. Ryan Day clinched a thrilling 5-4 win against David McDonnell and Anthony Davies also had to survive a decider against Alfie Burden.

But it was Wales' senior pro who took all the plaudits as he survived a Harold fight back from 2-4 to 4-4 before winning a thrilling decider.

"That must be the best I've played in years", said a delighted Welshman. Morgan was even more pleased to discover that he is drawn against Paul Hunter when the event reconvenes in Preston in October as that should guarantee him his first television appearance in four years.

Morgan explained "All the kids in the club only see Mark and Matthew, the youngsters don't even know I used to be on television, maybe now I'll get the chance to show them that I can play a bit as well!"

Stoke's Dave Harold, returning to the table after breaking his wrist last season, opened a 2-0 lead, with a run of 63 in the second. He set out with 45 in the third, but broke down and Morgan clinched the frame with a run of 56, and then levelled the match with a solid 62 break.

Two efforts of 31 helped Morgan to take the lead and he nicked the sixth as well, with 43 followed up by a colours clearance. But then it was Harold's turn and Morgan, who claims never to have beaten his old adversary, had to sit back and watch as Harold pieced together breaks of 73 and 57 to draw level.

Morgan had the first real chance in the decider and his break had reached 41 when he took on, but missed a long blue to the green pocket and left Harold right in amongst the reds.

In turn, Harold meticulously set about picking off the reds, but when his break had reached 39 he suffered an horrendous kick on a red, which still went in but cost position on the black. The pink to the middle left a much harder red, which Harold then attempted with rest and extension, but it rattled.

The red was easy enough for Morgan but the pink was virtually straight into the middle and left no angle for position on the yellow, so Morgan chose the option to lay the ultimate "impossible" snooker on the yellow. Harold examined his limited options from all angles and then declared audibly "I just don't think I can hit this." He made two valiant attempts, the second of which hit the black and left the yellow on for Morgan to take. He added green and brown and victory was his.

James Wattana, at No. 33, was the highest ranked player required to play in the first round of the restructured Grand Prix. He faced Mark Gray, formerly a main tour player, but newly qualified from the Challenge Tour.

And it was Gray who edged a nervy, scrappy opener. Wattana settled in the next, stroking in a run of 65. He added 68 for a 2-1 lead, and despite Gray taking the fourth with a run of 40, it was virtually one way traffic after that. further breaks of 53 and 59 taking Wattana over the line and off to Preston where he'll face another of the game's elder statesmen, John Parrott.

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2004 GRAND PRIX QUALIFIERS