Norfolk's Jamie Chestney is determined to savour his Potters debut tonight (7.30pm).The World U25 champion's first-round match-up with New Zealand qualifier Steve Posa gets a Saturday prime-time slot.

Norfolk's Jamie Chestney is determined to savour his Potters debut tonight (7.30pm).

The World U25 champion's first-round match-up with New Zealand qualifier Steve Posa gets a Saturday prime-time slot.

Friends and family of the 20-year-old prodigy will swell the crowd at Hopton, hoping Chestney can deliver on the biggest stage of all.

“I'm looking forward to it,” he said. “There might be a few nerves when I go out, but I'm okay at the moment.

“I've watched at Potters before and it's a really special venue. To be appearing is nice. I'm not too worried about any extra pressure from performing in front of a home crowd.

“I know lots of people are going, but when you are concentrating in the middle of a match you don't notice the crowd anyway. I'll just go out and play.”

Chestney's first brush with the world's elite has come at a price - the Little Snoring talent was scheduled to captain England U25s in Wales this weekend at the annual home international series.

“Obviously I'm gutted to miss out,” he admitted. “There was no way round it. I know there were talks, but the Potters' organisers couldn't change the schedule.

“I've captained England before and we'd won the tournament for the last two years so it was disappointing.

“It doesn't get any bigger than the World Championships, though, and with the prize money on offer I had to appear.”

Fakenham Gallow club-mate and reigning champion Mervyn King has already powered into the quarters.

Chestney's immediate ambitions are more modest.

“I've not got any expectations,” he said. “I'll take one game at a time.

“I don't know anything about my opponent. He plays the majority of his bowls in New Zealand so all I can do is try and play to the best of my ability.

“I'm used to playing with the top men now - I've already got plenty of experience and there's not really that much difference compared to bowlers my own age.”

The debutant is odds on with the bookmakers to mark his world bow in style.

“I have seen that,” he said. “I'm actually 33s to win the tournament which is a shorter price than some of the top 16 - that's crazy, I don't know how they've got me at that price.

“Bookmakers don't usually get it wrong, but we'll see. I've not put any of my own money on.”

t While a large crowd is expected tickets are still available at Potters for tonight's game.