"I’ll learn from it and come back stronger," says Moody after Crucible defeat
Halifax’s Stan Moody said he felt he showed he belonged on the big stage after his first round exit to Kyren Wilson at the Snooker World Championships.
Moody raced into a stunning 6-3 lead after the first session, but succumbed 10-7 after Wilson dominated the second session.
But Moody, from Sowerby Bridge, said he felt at home on the big stage.
“Absolutely, I felt comfortable out there,” he said. “There’s a lot of positives.
"If it had gone 8-3, I fancied winning 10-3, but it’s fine margins and it’s heightened against the top players. But I felt good.”
On the reception he was given walking out at the Crucible for the first time, Moody said: "It was amazing, couldn’t feel my legs!
"It’s hard to take, but I’m sure I’ll learn from it and come back stronger. Hopefully I’m back here next year and go deep."
Moody added: "It’s when you have chances yourself and don’t make the most of them, they’re the ones that hurt.
"Losing frames when your opponent needs three snookers is bad.
"It’s a rollercoaster. You try and stay positive but you’re still gutted about the frames you’ve lost. It’s hard.”
On what comes next for him, Moody said: "I’ll have a few weeks off, go to China and chill out.”