CRAIG Steadman's dreams of battling it out with the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry on the professional circuit received another boost at the weekend when he won his first EASB National Tour ranking event.

The 24-year-old Walkden ace has been selected to represent England in the European Team Championships in Glasgow at the end of March.

Steadman, pictured, who beat Liverpool's James Welsh 5-0 in the final in Leicester, said: "It's really pleasing to win an event because I have lost in five or six finals but never actually won one.

"Hopefully this might be the start of a few tournament wins. I have a good chance of qualifying for the main tour if I do manage to win another event.

"I'm second on the list to go on to the main tour with two events to go. I am up there with Peter Lines in both the EASB Tour and the PIOS Tour, so if one of us can win both, the other might get on to the main tour in second place."

Looking ahead to representing England, Steadman added: "Only three people have been picked, so I am pleased to be one of them. I have played quite a lot of the players I will come up against in previous competitions so I am confident I know what to expect.

"The tournament was held in California last year so I am gutted it's in Glasgow when I get picked."

It promises to be a hectic couple of months for Steadman, who should know whether he has done enough to qualify for the pro circuit by the end of April.

Steadman, who plays for Cuemasters in the local leagues, is involved in two more ranking events in both the EASB and PIOS Tours, while also representing England in Glasgow.

The EASB events will be held in Bristol and Leeds, with the PIOS events to be played in Prestatyn.