CHRIS Norbury is hoping to take inspiration from Kurt Maflin in today’s UK Snooker Championship first round - as he looks to knock out the Norwegian at the first hurdle.

Maflin, world No.32, has enjoyed a steady rise up the rankings in the past few seasons having been ranked at 84 just two years ago.

And Accrington’s Norbury, currently ranked 97, believes he can follow in the 31-year-old’s footsteps.

“Kurt has had a great run in the past couple of years and it shows that you can get into the top 32,” said Norbury.

“I definitely believe I can climb the rankings. I am playing well in practice and as soon as you get a few results in snooker you start to shoot up the rankings.

“Confidence plays a huge part as well. It would be nice to try and follow Kurt and see how far I can go.”

Norbury is also hoping his love for the UK Championship will help him at least match the achievements of 12 months ago when he reached the second round.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a fine 6-3 victory over Martin Gould in 2013 and could meet Peter Ebdon in round two this year with a possible showdown with Neil Robertson in round three.

“I try not to look at the draw too much,” said Norbury. “I have found in the past that you can get too hung up on the draw and plotting your way through.

“I have Kurt in front of me and after that I will see who comes next. I am just looking at it one round at a time.

“Hopefully I can get to round two again. It is my favourite tournament of the year and I love playing in it. It has everything for me and I think it is exactly how a tournament should be run.

“I can’t wait to get started. I know what it takes to win in York having done it last year and I want to do that again.”

Norbury though is under no illusions how tough a test he faces when he takes on Maflin this afternoon with their session set to start at 2.30pm.

“He is a very good player and a very attacking player,” Norbury added.

“I am going to have to play at least as well as I did against Martin last year to make the second round.

“But I have had a few good results recently and practice is going really well so hopefully I can get through.”

Norbury defeated Marco Fu last month in a PTC event while he also came close to upsetting Mark King in Germany last week in another PTC, losing 4-2.

“That result has given me a lot of belief even though I lost,” said Norbury.

“I could have easily won the opening four frames but we ended up 2-2 and in the end I just fell short. I had plenty of chances though and I know if I can take some of those then I will soon be winning matches again.

“Before that win over Marco I hadn’t won a match in a long time but that has given me some belief to carry forward.

“I remember playing Joe Perry and losing 6-0 the week before but then I beat Marco and got a bit of belief back. It shows how quickly things can change.”