Tearful Alex Higgins beats Ray Reardon
June 27, 2008
Snooker popularity was at its highest In the early eighties snooker with famous players such as the charismatic Alex Higgins and conservative Ray Reardon. Both of whom were involved in epic title match.
It was the irresistible force against the immovable object that had snooker fans around the world rubbing their hands in anticipation. The start of the match saw Higgins trailing 5-3 after the first session. Higgins then managed to get into a 10-7 lead but the ever consistent Reardon managed to pull this back to a thrilling 15-15 draw.
At that point there was a scheduled 20 minutes break where Higgins came back like a man possessed. Reardon only managed to scramble nine points in the next three frames whereas Higgins finished in style with an amazing 135 point clearance
Higgins was overcome with emotion after the victory and held his daughter high in his arms, and was in tears as he collected his prize.
Joe Swail looking forward to new season
June 24, 2008
Joe Swail is looking forward to a new season of snooker starting with the Northern Ireland trophy. Last year Swail suffered a closely fought defeat 13-12 against Chinas Lian Wenbo missing the final brown in the last frame by inches to lose
Joe has now got over that agonizing defeat and is ready for the new season, starting with the Belfast tournament due to start in august. Swail’s recent snooker performances have put him close to a place in the elusive snooker top 16 a feat that he could achieve this season if he performs well in the ranking events
Joe will be looking to impress on his home tournament, with the support of his home fans. Hopefully Joe will play some good snooker and impress the home crowd by reaching the latter stages of the tournament
Alex Higgins Profile
June 19, 2008
Alex Higgins aka the hurricane was the most controversial player that has ever graced the game. Higgins throughout his career was never out of the tabloids for his exploits both on and off the table
Higgins had an unorthodox style to playing snooker, but could pull off the most fantastic shots, whilst playing the game incredibly fast, hence the nickname ‘the hurricane’. His exciting style of play made Higgins very popular amongst the public who would turn up in their thousands to watch him play.
Higgins was born in Belfast and made his first maximum break by the age of 16, in order to turn professional Higgins moved to England and became a professional player.
Higgins made an instant impact as a snooker professional and won a title at his first attempt. The highlight of Higgins career was beating Ray Reardon in a tightly fought game in 1982 to become champion for the second time.
Away from the game Higgins has battled with throat cancer and an addiction to alcohol and late night showdowns in bars. Nowadays Higgins is a spent force but he will always be remembered for his exciting play and gung ho attitude of the game.
- DOB – 18 March 1949
- Ranking Tournament Victories – World Champion 1982
Snooker ace Ryan Day marries step mums sister!
June 17, 2008
Snooker ace Ryan day has recently married his auntie, which means Ryan now has the same in-laws as his dad! His dad is fine about the idea, and says there is nothing unusual about the couples relationship
Ryan and his new wife Lynsey only live a few doors apart from each other, and both really enjoyed the marriage and reception. To celebrate the couple are going on honeymoon to Crete, having delayed their original honeymoon due to Ryan playing in the Chinese open after they just got married.
Ryan did get some stick from his friends at first but is coping with the banter. He even admitted that he can see the funny side of getting married to his Auntie.
Ali Carter Profile
June 13, 2008
Ali Carter has been in fantastic form for the last few months, Carter had a good run in the recent 2008 snooker world championships, beating Stephen Hendry 13-6 along the way.
His tournament was however cut short when Carter lost a closely fought quarter final 13-12 to Mark Selby. His form over the last couple of years has catapulted Carter to 11th in the world rankings.
Carter actually turned professional back in 1996 and managed to reach the semi finals of the snooker Grand Prix in 1999, beaten only by John Higgins. His consistent performances that year, including beating Steve Davis earned Carter the title of world snooker newcomer of the year
Away from snooker Carter is training to become an airline pilot and wants to fly planes for a living once he retires from professional snooker. He even plans to fly to the crucible tournament next year from his home down in Southend.
- DOB – 25 July 1979
- Provisional Ranking – 11th
- Turned Pro – 1996
- Best Ranking Performance – Semi Finals Grand Prix 1999
- Highest Tournament Break – 143
O’Sullivan punishment for China controversy was not enough
June 10, 2008
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s has got off very lightly following his lewd sexual comments made during the Chinese World Championships.
O’Sullivan was actually docked a total of 700 ranking points, and fined around £3000 for his improper conduct during the China Open. The fine of £3000 will barely touch his £6 million pound fortune he has made during his illustrious snooker career.
The docking points fine will also not worry O’Sullivan who is miles ahead in the world rankings, and will be nowhere near losing his number 1 position.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has apologized profusely for the improper conduct and has admitted being in breach of the snooker world body rules. Ronnie has also given the governing body his assurance that no similar mistake will be made in the future and the world body seem happy enough with this
Ding wins Junghai Classic in home town
June 9, 2008
Ding Junhui has pleased his home fans by winning the Junghau Classic invitational tournament in his home town of Wuxi City.
Ding managed to keep the nerves at pay and win with a deciding frame clearance of 71 against Mark Selby. Ding will be happy with his hard fought victory over a difficult opponent. Dings temperament was excellent throughout the match which will give him extra confidence going into other tournaments this year.
In other news Ronnie O’Sullivan’s inappropriate comments made during the China Open have cost him all his prize money for the event, and an extra £1000 out of his own pocket. Ronnie was also docked 700 ranking points he gathered for participating in the event. Maybe Ronnie will pay more attention to the sensitivity of his microphone before making lewd comments next time
Ding into semi-finals of Jiangsui Classic Tournament
June 6, 2008
Ding Junhui has joined Mark Selby and Joe Perry in his home snooker tournament, the Jiangsu Classic invitational tournament in China
Perry was the first player through to the semis and even managed to remain unbeaten in the group stages, beating the talented young Chinese player Lian Wenbo in the process
Home favourite Ding with the crowd on this site only lost 2 frames on his way to the semi-final, and will face Day for a place in the final. Ding managed to beat some talented players on the way to the final including Ali Carter and Peter Ebdon.
With the advantage of the home crowd, Ding will be hoping to make it into the final which actually takes place in Wuxi, Dings home city
Amazing dominoes snooker trick shot
June 4, 2008
We have all be enthralled and entertained by trick shots before. Steve Davis has thought up many amazing snooker trickshots and shown these live to people in the UK and around the world. And of course there is John Virgo who has a large repertoire of trickshots up his sleeve, including many which he used to try and get members of the public to do in the hit TV show ‘big break’.
I doubt however that even these talented players would have ever thought of potting snooker balls with dominoes as this guy did. I just wonder how long it took him to perfect it!
First ever televised maximum break
June 3, 2008
To become a top snooker player you need to be a good break builder, and regularly compile breaks of over 40. If you don’t achieve this you will never win any professional tournaments.
Getting a 147 is the pinnacle of break building, and something that most players will never achieve. Most players only dream of completing what is snookers version of getting 300 in ten pin bowling.
To get a maximum break requires a player to pot all 15 red balls, with an accompanying black ball. This will give the player a points total of 120, you then must pot all 6 colours in sequence adding up to another 27 points.
To achieve this a player must make 36 consecutive pots, no mean feat on a professional snooker table. You need very accurate cue ball control and a nerve of steel to complete this feat.
The first televised maximum break was completed by Steve Davis, Davis completed the 147 in the Lada Classic tournament against John Spencer, making it look easy in the process. Although modern snooker players recieve vast somes of money completing the 147, back in 1982 Davis won a ‘Lada Estate Car’.
I have included some classic footage from the first televised 147 below for your enjoyment
