Tooting's Jimmy White is adamant he can still compete with the very best snooker has to offer despite his early exit from the UK Snooker Championship on Thursday evening.

The 53-year-old, who famously reached six World Championship finals during his prime, rolled back the years to give world No.15 Stephen Maguire a real first-round scare at the Barbican Centre in York.

The pair traded frames before Maguire pressed on and established a 5-3 lead with back-to back 97 breaks.

But White was not to be denied as he won two in a row to level it at 5-5, although he ended up on the wrong end of the decider after the Scot made a 72 break following a fluke.

And ‘the Whirlwind’ admits it was an unbelievably sickening way to be knocked out of the tournament.

“In the decider, I got in and I was on 22 but I’ve missed a red and then after a few scrappy shots he has ended up fluking one,” said White.

“He left himself perfect on the blue and that’s a real sickener. The game is so good now with so many good players that when I was on 22, I should have got more really."

“I played well and I was competing with him at all levels, so I’m just disappointed not to win because it’s was a tough draw."

“Maguire’s an attacking player and I like the way he plays but I’m playing well enough that if I had a bit of an easier draw I think I would have had a good run. It’s just a bit sickening to lose with a fluke.”

White’s last World Championship final came way back in 1994 but he is convinced he still has what it takes to compete with the very best.

He has been doing an exhibition tour with the mercurial Ronie O’Sullivan and insists that, combined with a new practice facility, has him set for an uptick in results.

“I know I can compete with the best players. I’ve been playing [Ronnie] O’Sullivan in the snooker legends all over the country and Europe,” added White.

“I’ve been competing with him and if you can compete with O’Sullivan, you can compete with anyone.

“I can take confidence moving forward even though it was a bit sickening the way I lost. I’ve been practising in Coulsden with a few players and that has help me come on.”

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