Matthew Stevens hopes to bridge a 10-year gap tomorrow when he contests his first ever UK Championship final. The 21-year-old from Camarthen defeated Dave Harold 9-7 in the opening semi-final in the International Centre, Bournemouth, last night.

He now meets title favourite John Higgins or Paul Hunter in his bid to become the first Welshman to capture the title since Doug Mountjoy defeated Stephen Hendry in 1988.

Victory was a sweet moment for the world number 26 after losing to Hendry in last year's UK semifinal at Preston.

Stevens recovered from 4-2 down in the afternoon session to inflict what was only Harold's fourth defeat in 19 matches this season.

But it was touch and go for the Welshman. He squared the first session at 4-4, went 7-5 and 8-6 in front only for Harold to recover to 8-7.

The 31-year-old Staffordshire star looked poised to level at 8-8 when he led 60-0. Instead, he was forced to play a safety shot and eventually Stevens cleared up with 72 to win on the pink.

Stevens, the 1996 British Masters champion is now guaranteed £39,000, double his previous biggest payday since turning professional in 1994.