Epsom pool star Steve Chambers reckons being picked for the England U21 squad is proof his hard work has finally paid off.

The 18-year-old had trialed for the U18s team, but it took until his first attempt at the older age group for him to finally be handed the honour of representing his country.

Surrey youth team fixture Chambers, who plays for Surbiton Town Sports Club, beat former U18s captain Phil Parkin 6-3 at the national trials in Great yarmouth last week as he won all of his six qualifying games.

He now stands a chance of appearing at June’s World U21 Championships in Blackpool and also the European U21 Championships in Malta next year.

“I’d tried out for the U18s three times but without any success so to get into the U21s at the first attempts was a great feeling,” he said.

“You have to take the rough with the smooth I suppose, but I think it is a great achievement and I really feel as though the hard work has paid off.

“I think I should get a singles place at the world’s because I was the first to qualify, but nothing is confirmed.

“I’ve never really played internationally before so I don’t know what chance I’ll have.”

Former Blenheim High School student Chambers was 13 when he first picked up a cue and has represented Surrey for the last five years without breaking onto the international stage.

And after proving a point by beating Parkin, he is out to make up for lost time.

“He (Phil) didn’t stand much of chance to be fair to him. I played really well,” he added.

“I’ve got three years in the squad so I should get plenty of opportunities. There isn’t a great deal of money in the game, but I’ll keep practising and see what happens.”