Doherty and Maguire to play exhibition match
January 30, 2009
Stephen Maguire and Ken Doherty are due to play in an exhibition match in Scotland. The event will take place in Kilmarnock on the 7th Marcg. Tickers are available for around £50.
This is a great opportunity to watch a match between the old and new players in the game. Maguire will be putting his talents up against long established Doherty who has had a poor run of form for some time now.
If all the rumours are true this might be one of your last opportunities to watch Doherty before he retires from the professional game.
White and O’Sullivan knock up back to back 147s
January 30, 2009
Jimmy White and Ronnie O’Sullivan have sensationally managed to create two back to back maximum 147 breaks. The amazing breaks took place at an exhibition in Ireland.
Nearly 600 fans witnessed the event which has never been seen before in snooker. White hailed the event as ‘unbelievable’ and something that probably won’t be seen again.
O’Sullivan managed to hit a 147 in a double match, and then White just happened to repeat the feat. White was extermely happy with his 147 especially considering the bad few years he has had. The break for White is a good sign that he is coming back to his old form, and he hopes that he has a good year.
Is snooker legend Ken Doherty looking to hang up his cue
January 29, 2009
There have been reports that snooker legend Ken Doherty could be considering retirement from the professional game.
Ken has had a wierd couple of years since winning the pot black tournament in 2007 since then his form has plummetted. Infact he stumbled from provisional world number one, to out of the world top 16. Away from the table Ken has become a father for the first time and spends lots of time with his family, he is also working for the BBC as a pundit and commentator.
All this news has lead many people to believe he will quit the game he loves. Ken is now 39 and that might be the reason he wants to give up, however Davis and John Parrott have proved you can still play in your fourties and fifties.
Ken however will not like the fact he now seems to be struggling, and will be annoyed he is not competiting at the same level he used to.
Putting all this information together it does seem as if Ken may quit soon, making his family life and the pundit job at the BBC his importance.
Shaun Murphy supports lancashire frame academy
January 29, 2009
Shaun Murphy the current UK snooker champion treated kids to an insight into snooker live by supporting the east lancashire frame academy.
The scheme was made to take the game of snooker into local schools, and to help youths to take up the game. Snooker is very popular in East Lancashire and can play a large part in educating the youth of the area whilst at the same time teaching discipline.
Murphy spent two hours at the event just answering questions from eager young fans and was impressed with what he saw. The scheme was not just put in place to find the next snooker superstar, it also helps kids with numeracy.
Chance to play Welsh Snooker hero Matthew Stevens
January 27, 2009
Welsh snooker hero Matthew Stevens will be playing in Newport market this weekend, and will be challenging local people to a frame of snooker
Get yourself down to the market between 11am and 4pm for a chance to pit your snooker skills against the former Masters and UK champion. Challengers who play Stevens and are lucky enough to score over 10 points will recieve tickets to this years Welsh open at Newport.
This is a fantastic opportunity for snooker fans to play a great player who recently reached the final of the Bahrain tournament and is looking in good shape to retain his place in snookers elite top 16.
Trump books his spot at the China Open
January 26, 2009
Judd Trump has succesfully qualified for the China Open after thrashing former world champion 5-0 at the weekend
Judd Trump remained unbeaten in the qualifying matches, and will be traveling to Beijing full of confidence. Trump is officially ranked at number 41 in the world and is now on the verge of breaking into the top 32.
Trumpy was understandably happy with his thrasing of Ken Donherty, and always felt like claiming the victory after easily winning the first 2 frames of the match. Doherty was not the only big name not to qualify for the China Open in Japan, crowd favourite Steve Davis was beaten by Stuart Pettman, which came as a shock.
O’Sullivan fears for Snookers Future
January 23, 2009
After winning his 4th Masters tournament on Sunday night O’Sullivan has again repeated his fear for the future of snooker.
Snooker has lost most of its sense of character after losing so many great snooker entertainers, with O’Sullivan the last true snooker entertainer left on the curcuit. O’Sullivan has pointed at that snooker should look at the way darts has come back from lean times to become a cult attraction once again.
Darts secret of recovery was having many entertainers who brought excitement to the game with their attitude and entrance scenes to their matches.
Snooker in comparison to darts is struggling for viewers with some supporters seemingly growing tired of the game
Obviously snooker cannot go the same way as darts, asking players to compete in rowdy atmosphere would ruin the professionalism of the game. However it could be time for snooker players to enjoy themselves a little more on the table and give the crowd the entertainment that they crave.
O’Sullivan hails Masters victory as best ever
January 20, 2009
After O’Sullivans 10-8 victory in the Masters against Mark Selby, he hailed the tournament as the best victory of his career. O’Sullivan came through a very tight match against the defending champion which at one point both players looked like they could have won.
O’Sullivan had started the match in fine form and took the first two frames at a canter, he then took a nice 3-1 lead after punishing a Selby mistake.
After a very tight few frames the match was levelled at 8-8, then O’Sullivan kept a clear head and managed to win the 17th frame to take a commanding 9-8 lead. It then got very nervy in the final frame with two re-racks required, O Sullivan was the stronger on this occassion and completed his victory.
After the match O’Sullivan realised that he had to play at his best to beat Selby, and hailed Selby as a fantastic player who will have his day
O’Sullivan Wins Masters Tournament
January 19, 2009
Last night Ronnie O’Sullivan won his 4th Masters title, beating Mark Selby 10-8, in a fantastic final. O’Sullivan had been trailing the match 7-5, but managed to get back into the match by winning three frames on the bounce with great breaks including a high break of 110.
O’Sullivan was happy to win the match against Mark, who is a fantastic player. O’Sullivan admitted he was struggling to find form during the middle of the match, and was having to dig deep to keep in it.
What is more astonishing is that O’Sullivan was not even comfortable with the cue, after smashing his last cue earlier in the tournament.
Towards the end of the match nerves got the better of both players, as they both missed good chances in the 17th frame. O’Sullivan managed to win a tight 17 frame to get within one of victory.
The last frame was again very tight and both players had a agree with the referee for a re-rack. After the re-rack their was a series of fine safety shots which led to another re-rack, with seemingly both players unwilling to take a risk.
O’Sullivan however eventually took his chance to claim his 4th masters title, and stop Selby keeping his crown.
I have included a video below of the final frame for your enjoyment
Higgins through to semi finals of the Masters
January 16, 2009
John higgins has won a hard quarter final against China man Ding Junhui to earn a place in the semi finals of the Masters Tournaments.
Higgins was ahead for most of the match and managed to get into a commanding 4-2 lead, and look set to clock up a routine win. Higgins however made some large mistakes in the next frames and Ding managed to pull the match back to a tight 4-4 draw.
Higgins then steadied himself and recovered well making a fantastic 127 clearance to lead the match 5-4, Higgins then won a tight last frame to take the match 6-4 and send a spirited Ding Junhui out the tournament
After his win Higgins will now face Mark Selby, which promises to be a mouthwatering match. Selby has been playing well recently and will be relishing the match with Higgins which i expect to be a high quality tight match to see who makes it into the final.
