Newcomers enjoy snooker resurgence

From the green baize in Sheffield to the green fields of Mongolia. Snooker's popularity once thought to be on the wane with the demise of Embassy's advertising is seeing a resurgence and world champion John Higgins is at the forefront.

Prestigious talent: Jamie 'Shotgun' Cope

With the sport's governing body seemingly unable to spread the game to a global audience, the Wizard of Wishaw has set up the World Series, an invitational gathering involving top players swooning across Europe in the summer months.

Eurosport has had a steady mention from In Sport recently and they get another dishing here. The channel has been one of the main reasons for the sport's success and will broadcast the Series from June to September.

Higgins and his merry men comprising Steve Davis, Graeme Dott, Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby and others will head to an eclectic mix of venues including Jersey, Berlin, Poland, Russia and Mongolia.

Organisers hope it will have grown to between eight and 10 tournaments by 2010. Higgins might even recognise himself on billboards near the Kremlin if it's a success. After a scouting mission, he said: "I was over the moon to find myself being recognised and signing autographs on the streets of Moscow."

The Scottish 32-year-old may not be past his prime just yet, but the timing of his World Series couldn't be better judging by some of the new kids on the block at Sheffield.

Mark Allen, sporting a red streak in his hair, and Jamie 'Shotgun' Cope have both caught the eye in the first round against more renowned opposition.

22-year-old Allen flourished early doors against Stephen Hendry in his second Crucible appearance, after he produced a shock 10-7 victory over former champion Ken Doherty at the same stage last year.

Meanwhile, it was tortoise and hare stuff between Peter Ebdon and Cope, the 22-year-old Stoke-based potter. Given the nickname thanks to his frenetic pace around the table, Cope humbled Higgins at the UK Championships late last year and looks a prestigious talent. Unfortunately he fell at the last hurdle this time round and lost 10-9 to Ebdon.

With talent coming through each tournament, however, Higgins and Co best be getting their travel cues out soon.