Without looking it up, it must be Williams.
Official Snooker Thread (Part 7)
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That is the best I have seen Michael Holt play. A very good win.
Watching one of the Crucible Classics the other night. The Davis/Knowles match was a real blast from the past. I recall watching it live. The biggest competition seemed to be between the two refs. I'd forgotten how loud they used to shout out the score. I think the loud bellow of Len Ganley from beyond the partition just snicked it, though John Smyth ran him close.
Not been able to see a lot of the snooker this year. Thought Higgins played well, and agree it could be a repeat of the 2001 final.
Peter Ebdon is a great addition. His self-deprecating quips are quite funny.
Finally Steve Davis. A fantastic player, and what a career. But most of all a great ambassador for snooker.
Watching one of the Crucible Classics the other night. The Davis/Knowles match was a real blast from the past. I recall watching it live. The biggest competition seemed to be between the two refs. I'd forgotten how loud they used to shout out the score. I think the loud bellow of Len Ganley from beyond the partition just snicked it, though John Smyth ran him close.
Not been able to see a lot of the snooker this year. Thought Higgins played well, and agree it could be a repeat of the 2001 final.
Peter Ebdon is a great addition. His self-deprecating quips are quite funny.
Finally Steve Davis. A fantastic player, and what a career. But most of all a great ambassador for snooker.
Originally Posted by owen10:
“I know Ronnie was in the final who he did he face again”
“I know Ronnie was in the final who he did he face again”
Originally Posted by Scrumper:
“Without looking it up, it must be Williams.”
“Without looking it up, it must be Williams.”
John Higgins
Originally Posted by Jimmy Connors:
“That is the best I have seen Michael Holt play. A very good win.
Watching one of the Crucible Classics the other night. The Davis/Knowles match was a real blast from the past. I recall watching it live. The biggest competition seemed to be between the two refs. I'd forgotten how loud they used to shout out the score. I think the loud bellow of Len Ganley from beyond the partition just snicked it, though John Smyth ran him close.
Not been able to see a lot of the snooker this year. Thought Higgins played well, and agree it could be a repeat of the 2001 final.
Peter Ebdon is a great addition. His self-deprecating quips are quite funny.
Finally Steve Davis. A fantastic player, and what a career. But most of all a great ambassador for snooker.”
“That is the best I have seen Michael Holt play. A very good win.
Watching one of the Crucible Classics the other night. The Davis/Knowles match was a real blast from the past. I recall watching it live. The biggest competition seemed to be between the two refs. I'd forgotten how loud they used to shout out the score. I think the loud bellow of Len Ganley from beyond the partition just snicked it, though John Smyth ran him close.
Not been able to see a lot of the snooker this year. Thought Higgins played well, and agree it could be a repeat of the 2001 final.
Peter Ebdon is a great addition. His self-deprecating quips are quite funny.
Finally Steve Davis. A fantastic player, and what a career. But most of all a great ambassador for snooker.”
Quite agree. Surprised me how good he is.
Originally Posted by clarky323:
“Barry Hearn press conference coming up today at 2:30pm.
'big announcements' apparently...”
“Barry Hearn press conference coming up today at 2:30pm.
'big announcements' apparently...”
Predictions ?
I will guess that he is to say the Worlds is staying in Sheffield for the foreseeable. Extended the contract. And Betfred have agreed to extend sponsorship
Originally Posted by Darren Lethem:
“Predictions ?
I will guess that he is to say the Worlds is staying in Sheffield for the foreseeable. Extended the contract. And Betfred have agreed to extend sponsorship”
“Predictions ?
I will guess that he is to say the Worlds is staying in Sheffield for the foreseeable. Extended the contract. And Betfred have agreed to extend sponsorship”
I think it may be to do with the new open series for next season. Maybe venue's, format's or TV deals etc...
Martin Gould just made one of the best centuries I've ever seen in the last frame! Complete with unbelievable exhibition shots and even a fluke on the blue 
Originally Posted by clarky323:
“Martin Gould just made one of the best centuries I've ever seen in the last frame! Complete with unbelievable exhibition shots and even a fluke on the blue”
“Martin Gould just made one of the best centuries I've ever seen in the last frame! Complete with unbelievable exhibition shots and even a fluke on the blue
”
I've made pots like that blue loads of times
Originally Posted by Darren Lethem:
“Quite agree. Surprised me how good he is.”
“Quite agree. Surprised me how good he is.”
Really surprised me too. It feels like he's been doing it for years.
Originally Posted by jrmswfc:
“I've made pots like that blue loads of times”
“I've made pots like that blue loads of times
”
Haha! he even brought the pink of the cushion and left it on to the middle
Originally Posted by owen10:
“Who here remembers the other tournaments back then like the Mercantile Credit Classic, British Open, Scottish Open, Irish Open, Rothmans Grand Prix, European Open, Dubai Desert Classic, the World Matchplay and the World Doubles Championship”
“Who here remembers the other tournaments back then like the Mercantile Credit Classic, British Open, Scottish Open, Irish Open, Rothmans Grand Prix, European Open, Dubai Desert Classic, the World Matchplay and the World Doubles Championship”
ME ! I remember all of them
As promised, a few words on my visit yesterday, which most likely is my second and last this year due to moving down South and all that. However, it was still a good day - I was able to get the 0632 train from St Pancras to Sheffield to be there on time!!
So I spotted a few people beforehand. Surprisingly Jason Mohammad was great to talk to - he mentioned the winner of the Selby-Milkins game would have an "e" in his surname, but I suspected that Robert would come out fighting, and I said to Robert that "get the first four and take it from there". Little did I know of course he'd actually do that, but still the very least I could wish him well with. Peter Ebdon also spent a fair bit outside with two fans who had come over from Amsterdam for a few days to watch, and he seemed really relaxed and enjoying his commentary role (which I agree - he's doing pretty well at!)
So in for Selby v Milkins then, and I didn't think it would be the first four frames taken well by Robert, but so it proved. If anything the mid session interval came at the wrong time for him, as he was in the groove making 60+ and 70+ breaks to win the frame, and the flow was good. Mark was struggling a tad with shot selection but whatever he did at the interval (according to Rob Walker, lots of practicing) did the job and he came out much better after that and took a little bit of a scrappy next frame before clinching the next two and making it 10-6. At least a game was made of it, and I got to see the last two frames of Neil Robertson v Michael Holt.
As it turned out where I was sat (front row A7) I had a reflection of the other table in the commentary booth, so I at least could see most of the Hitman's superb 140 break. He looked in good form and being 3-0 up was always a struggle for Neil from then on, but at 5-3, a tense final frame for Michael to win was a major turning point in my view, and so it proved.
I went out to get some lunch and spotted Mark Selby in the Winter Gardens BBC Studio talking to John Parrott and Hazel Irvine, and he was there for some time even taking the 10 red challenge on at the table that they have in the background. All good stuff, and he was spending some time with some of the fans too there which was also good to see. I think he was also relieved to get through the first round and not be a casualty.
In the afternoon I headed in and in A24 I had a great view of the BBC2 feature with Parrott and Stephen Hendry about how it was like to sit in the Crucible chair as a first time qualifier. They rehearsed it first (my pic is from that), and then the World Snooker staff politely asked those of us on the front rows not to take pictures as it was being filmed live but just blend in as the audience watching - they asked nicely so I complied. Only fair really.
John Higgins did the business against Ryan Day and compiled a classy century in the final frame to win 10-3. Even though Ryan had pulled one back he missed too many chances in the jaws and was getting frustrated with himself somewhat, and you could sense that he just wasn't there. Shame, as in the flow he's as good as anyone, but I'm sure he'll work on that. If he's also suffering personally as has been mentioned I hope he's able to get himself sorted.
The mid session interval was virtually at the same time but I knew the divider would rise so went back in for the Mark Allen - Mitchell Mann five remaining frames. Mark made a century in the first frame I saw (so again I saw two back to back centuries!) and at 6-2 it looked even then like an easy victory - more so as he'd taken four on the bounce. The final frame was going to be tense and unfortunately some absolute idiot had their phone going off as Mitchell was playing the brown (which he then missed) which meant Mark could clear to tie. It went to pink and black, someone else was chatting far too loudly in the audience (I suspect if Brendan Moore had refereed instead of Greg Coniglio, said offender would have been ejected) and Mitchell spooned his shot, only for Mark's next shot to bounce dead and give a chance for the frame win which Mitchell took.
All in all a quality day, and some good snooker played. On balance I'd say Table Two is still playing better but there's been some odd bounces, and I really do wish people would actually turn their phones off. It's not too hard to do is it?
Now for the rest of the tournament...
So I spotted a few people beforehand. Surprisingly Jason Mohammad was great to talk to - he mentioned the winner of the Selby-Milkins game would have an "e" in his surname, but I suspected that Robert would come out fighting, and I said to Robert that "get the first four and take it from there". Little did I know of course he'd actually do that, but still the very least I could wish him well with. Peter Ebdon also spent a fair bit outside with two fans who had come over from Amsterdam for a few days to watch, and he seemed really relaxed and enjoying his commentary role (which I agree - he's doing pretty well at!)
So in for Selby v Milkins then, and I didn't think it would be the first four frames taken well by Robert, but so it proved. If anything the mid session interval came at the wrong time for him, as he was in the groove making 60+ and 70+ breaks to win the frame, and the flow was good. Mark was struggling a tad with shot selection but whatever he did at the interval (according to Rob Walker, lots of practicing) did the job and he came out much better after that and took a little bit of a scrappy next frame before clinching the next two and making it 10-6. At least a game was made of it, and I got to see the last two frames of Neil Robertson v Michael Holt.
As it turned out where I was sat (front row A7) I had a reflection of the other table in the commentary booth, so I at least could see most of the Hitman's superb 140 break. He looked in good form and being 3-0 up was always a struggle for Neil from then on, but at 5-3, a tense final frame for Michael to win was a major turning point in my view, and so it proved.
I went out to get some lunch and spotted Mark Selby in the Winter Gardens BBC Studio talking to John Parrott and Hazel Irvine, and he was there for some time even taking the 10 red challenge on at the table that they have in the background. All good stuff, and he was spending some time with some of the fans too there which was also good to see. I think he was also relieved to get through the first round and not be a casualty.
In the afternoon I headed in and in A24 I had a great view of the BBC2 feature with Parrott and Stephen Hendry about how it was like to sit in the Crucible chair as a first time qualifier. They rehearsed it first (my pic is from that), and then the World Snooker staff politely asked those of us on the front rows not to take pictures as it was being filmed live but just blend in as the audience watching - they asked nicely so I complied. Only fair really.
John Higgins did the business against Ryan Day and compiled a classy century in the final frame to win 10-3. Even though Ryan had pulled one back he missed too many chances in the jaws and was getting frustrated with himself somewhat, and you could sense that he just wasn't there. Shame, as in the flow he's as good as anyone, but I'm sure he'll work on that. If he's also suffering personally as has been mentioned I hope he's able to get himself sorted.
The mid session interval was virtually at the same time but I knew the divider would rise so went back in for the Mark Allen - Mitchell Mann five remaining frames. Mark made a century in the first frame I saw (so again I saw two back to back centuries!) and at 6-2 it looked even then like an easy victory - more so as he'd taken four on the bounce. The final frame was going to be tense and unfortunately some absolute idiot had their phone going off as Mitchell was playing the brown (which he then missed) which meant Mark could clear to tie. It went to pink and black, someone else was chatting far too loudly in the audience (I suspect if Brendan Moore had refereed instead of Greg Coniglio, said offender would have been ejected) and Mitchell spooned his shot, only for Mark's next shot to bounce dead and give a chance for the frame win which Mitchell took.
All in all a quality day, and some good snooker played. On balance I'd say Table Two is still playing better but there's been some odd bounces, and I really do wish people would actually turn their phones off. It's not too hard to do is it?
Now for the rest of the tournament...
Looking forward to Judd and Lliang's match, I have my sight set on Lliang.
On a side note, I say this every year but Stephen Hendry makes the commentary for me - fantastic. (has anyone ever met him in real life? If so what's he like. I've always had a soft spot for him)
I heard Robertson say yesterday that when his career comes to an end he'd like to move to commentary. Nooooo please no, I can't bear his miserable personality. Unjustified maybe but I just can't take to him at all.
On a side note, I say this every year but Stephen Hendry makes the commentary for me - fantastic. (has anyone ever met him in real life? If so what's he like. I've always had a soft spot for him)
I heard Robertson say yesterday that when his career comes to an end he'd like to move to commentary. Nooooo please no, I can't bear his miserable personality. Unjustified maybe but I just can't take to him at all.
Originally Posted by Grouty:
“Fantastic ton from Gould, couple of cracking long pots, and a fluke of the Blue”
“Fantastic ton from Gould, couple of cracking long pots, and a fluke of the Blue
”
Absolutely agree. Stunning clearance.
Originally Posted by mumbles26:
“How would I go about getting into the Winter Gardens. eg. Price etc”
“How would I go about getting into the Winter Gardens. eg. Price etc”
It's free to get in. It's a public gardens and so even though bits of it are roped off for the BBC Studio, people just walk in and become part of the audience with the "Oooh look it's Hazel Irvine!" look.
My FAQ explains more on that and if you're a first time visitor.
Latest from Barry Hearn press conference:
The Masters trophy to be renamed the Paul Hunter Trophy.
At least 20 ranking tournaments by 2017.
2m prize money for the world championship within the next two years.
And if players are tired they should go to the gym
The Masters trophy to be renamed the Paul Hunter Trophy.
At least 20 ranking tournaments by 2017.
2m prize money for the world championship within the next two years.
And if players are tired they should go to the gym
Originally Posted by zawtowers:
“It's free to get in. It's a public gardens and so even though bits of it are roped off for the BBC Studio, people just walk in and become part of the audience with the "Oooh look it's Hazel Irvine!" look.
My FAQ explains more on that and if you're a first time visitor.”
“It's free to get in. It's a public gardens and so even though bits of it are roped off for the BBC Studio, people just walk in and become part of the audience with the "Oooh look it's Hazel Irvine!" look.
My FAQ explains more on that and if you're a first time visitor.”
Thanks so much x
Originally Posted by clarky323:
“Latest from Barry Hearn press conference:
The Masters trophy to be renamed the Paul Hunter Trophy.
At least 20 ranking tournaments by 2017.
2m prize money for the world championship within the next two years.
And if players are tired they should go to the gym”
“Latest from Barry Hearn press conference:
The Masters trophy to be renamed the Paul Hunter Trophy.
At least 20 ranking tournaments by 2017.
2m prize money for the world championship within the next two years.
And if players are tired they should go to the gym
”
Wonder what that means for the Paul Hunter Classic?
Originally Posted by Terrence Chant:
“Wonder what that means for the Paul Hunter Classic?”
“Wonder what that means for the Paul Hunter Classic?”
Arent they cutting back on the PTC's so will it be renamed German Open or something perhaps ?
a 141 to win the 15th and final frame for Barry Hawkins. Highest break of the tournament so far. Faces Ronnie in the next round. So that's final, semi final and now last 16 they have met in.
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