Да, бедняжка.... Вот более подробно(прошу прощения, что статья, а не ссылка, ссылки на Ворлдснукерские статьи не у всех работают) John Higgins shrugged off a bout of food poisoning to whitewash Alan McManus tonight (Thursday) and book a Malta Cup quarter-final against Stephen Hendry. 02 Feb 2006 21:53:00 The newly-crowned SAGA Insurance Masters champion contracted the illness shortly after his first round win over Robert Milkins in Portomaso. But the Wizard of Wishaw emerged from his sickbed to score a 5-0 defeat of his fellow Scot, compiling breaks of 55, 67 and 53. "I don’t know what gave me the food poisoning but I’ve been in bed for the last two days and not been able to keep anything down," said the world No 6. "It’s only today that I’ve been able to keep some water in. "At first I thought it was just flu so I took a couple of lemsips. But after a while I was running back and forth to the toilet. "I felt very light-headed at the table and I thought I could have missed anything. I was getting double vision on some shots. It was a horrible game to play in, but luckily Alan didn’t put any pressure on me at all. "I’ve never felt that bad in all my life playing snooker. It’s slightly better today, hopefully I’ll be able to eat some dry toast but for now I’m off to bed!"
Ссылка не вешаецца никак, посему запостю так... О том, как не дают покоя англицким папарацци пьяные снукеристы
EXCLUSIVE: DRUNKEN SNOOKER STARS IN JET SHAME Champions Higgins and Doherty kicked off flight home after all-night bender "Snooker stars Ken Doherty and John Higgins were booted off a plane yesterday when they turned up drunk after an all-night boozing session. The friends went on a bender together after Doherty, 36, beat Higgins, 30, in the Malta Cup final. They spent all Sunday night drinking then went straight to Valletta airport for the 7.15am flight back to London. But passengers complained they were drunk and rude. Airport security staff accused Higgins of being "nasty and abusive". Police warned them about their behaviour before they got on the Air Malta plane. A passenger then complained to cabin crew and the captain ordered them and an aide off the flight. They returned to the airport in the afternoon after spending the day sobering up and caught a 3.50pm KLM service back to Heathrow. Yesterday Higgins said: "It's perfectly reasonable for the captain to be thinking about the safety of his passengers but I honestly thought we were fine." One passenger said: "John had obviously had a fair amount to drink. He was allowed on to the plane but the stewards seemed to think he'd cause problems for the other passengers. He wasn't aggressive towards anybody and accepted the decision without any aggravation. Ken didn't seem to be drunk and it looked like he was trying to help John out but the crew told him that if he didn't like the decision he could leave as well." An onlooker saw them later at the airport drinking iced tea. He said: "They were very apologetic and said they didn't mean any harm, they'd just had a bit too much to drink." A source said: "The match didn't finish until late into the evening and when they arrived for the flight it was clear they'd been drinking all night." Police warned them about their behaviour before they boarded, then a lot of other passengers complained about them being drunk and rude. Airport security staff said Higgins was rather nasty and abusive and complained angrily when the captain wouldn't let them on the flight. They were taken to the VIP lounge by security staff to calm them down, then went to the hotel where they spent the day sobering up. Air Malta said: "Three passengers were asked to disembark following complaints on their fitness to travel by other passengers. In the interest of both the offloaded passengers and all other passengers, it was decided to re-route the offloaded passengers on a later flight.""
www.mirror.co.uk
I'LL BE DRY IN THE SKY Snooker ace vows not to drink before flying "Snooker ace John Higgins says he'll never booze again before getting on a plane. Higgins was kicked off a flight back from a tournament on Monday with Irish ace Ken Doherty. But yesterday, the 30-year-old Scot strongly denied he was too drunk to travel, insisting he was just tired. Dad-of-two Higgins, who lost 9-8 to Doherty in the final of the Malta Cup at the weekend, said: "This has all been a big embarrassment. What I have definitely learned is that I will never have a drink before I board a flight again. It's not worth it. To be honest, I feel this is a storm in a teacup. Ken and I had a few drinks at the end of the tournament but if anyone on the flight thought we were drunk I would put it down to exhaustion more than anything else. We were both dead on our feet." Higgins and Doherty boarded the 7.50am Air Malta flight to Heathrow but the cabin crew decided to remove them after complaints from passengers. Higgins said: "Our match did not finish until 11pm. By the time we left for a local bar it was about 2.30 in the morning. We were getting picked up at our hotel at 5.45am, so there was no point in going to sleep. Everything seemed fine until an air stewardess told Ken and I there had been some complaints. But we were not drunk, just shattered. All we wanted to do was get our heads down for a wee sleep. There was no arguing, shouting or bad language. We just got off the flight quietly and that was that. I would rather put it behind me now.""
ПРОСТИТЕ ЗА НАРУШЕНИЕ ПРАВИЛ! А как ещё и ГДЕ мне выразить свою реакцию? Эта статья проливает свет на многие проблемы Ханна. Был вопрос к Алану Триггу об этом спортсмене, но Тригг ушёл от ответа (деликатно). Тут многое проясняется, но это ПУБЛИКАЦИЯ, а из разговоров в узком кругу можно к этому многое добавить... Кстати, а что на форуме знают об отце Ронни. Точнее, ответили бы ТОЛЬКО ТАК: знают что-то или нет. (Сплетни разносить не хочется...). А может вы за этой темой уже давно следили?...Ещё раз простите! Напишите, как быть, если публикация ЗДЕСЬ рождает стремление высказаться?...
О других игроках - в темах об них (не смотря на то, что там творилось до рождения стремления высказацца. Народ у нас вполне адекватный и готов переключицца на серьезное обсуждение серьезного вопроса в любой момент )
Snooker: O'Sullivan relishes return to Wales Feb 18 2006
Snooker's brilliant world No 1 Ronnie O'Sullivan explains to Paul Williams why he holds a special affinity for the Welsh Open
Paul Williams, Western Mail
IT IS little wonder Ronnie O'Sullivan is relishing a return to Wales later this month.
O'Sullivan, the most talented player ever to pick up a snooker cue, might have achieved almost all there is to accomplish in the game, but he breaks off in the Welsh Open bidding for his first hat-trick of tournament titles.
Having waited 12 years for his first professional success in Wales, when he beat Steve Davis 9-8 in a thrilling 2004 final, O'Sullivan waited only another 12 months to collect his second slate trophy, and he edged out that other great legend of the modern era, Stephen Hendry, by the same scoreline in the final.
While the world No 1 gained great satisfaction from the stature of his vanquished opponents on those occasions, the stage also provided an immense source of pride to this enigmatic character whose reverence for snooker's history is at odds with his occasional rebellions against the sport he was born to play.
O'Sullivan said, "I love coming back to play in the Welsh Open, and it's not just because I've had such success in the tournament over the last two years.
"It's because Wales is such a special place to play snooker. It's like going to Las Vegas to box because Wales has got such a great pedigree in snooker.
"A lot of great players have come out of Wales over the years - world champions like Mark Williams, Terry Griffiths and Ray Reardon.
"It means the fans there are very knowledgeable and I've always noticed that extra bit of support. The fans are pretty good most places we play, but they really love their snooker in Wales."
O'Sullivan has a further motive to rack up a Welsh Open three-peat at Newport Centre from February 27 to March 5.
One of those former Welsh world champions he mentions is none other than his own coach. Reardon, who hails from nearby Tredegar, linked up with O'Sullivan just before the World Championship in 2004 and is widely accredited with harnessing snooker's most explosive talent to a more resilient temperament as the Rocket completed a supremely dominant march to his second Crucible title.
Things have been pretty good thereafter as O'Sullivan enjoyed the most successful year since the heyday of Hendry when he scooped five of the 10 major titles up for grabs last season.
Reardon's six world titles in the 1970s are ample evidence that he was no slouch himself on the green baize, but many are surprised Dracula can have made such an impact on a player who could have trounced him in his pomp... playing cack-handed.
"Sometimes, it's like being a big kid and having your dad tell you that you've just got to go out there and play well," offered O'Sullivan, giving an insight into his sometimes troubled ego.
"It's having someone of his experience to tell you you're doing all right, even when you think you're playing badly.
"I trust his instincts for the game and it's worked out really well. Ray's been a tremendous help to me."
And for those who think the mentor relationship may have run its course, the Rocket adds, "Ray is as hungry as I am to do well.
"He's as excited as ever about seeing me win . He doesn't travel with me to every tournament, but there's a good possibility we'll be featuring together again at the Welsh Open."
With six 147 breaks in competition and comparisons to Mozart from rival player Peter Ebdon, who ironically ended the Rocket's Crucible defence with more prosaic qualities last year, O'Sullivan has always had the cue mastery to surpass Stephen Hendry's record seven world titles.
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But he goes to Sheffield this April aged 30, the same milestone at which Hendry claimed his last big one. O'Sullivan - to the surprise of everyone who marvelled at him winning the 1993 UK Championship as a 17-year-old - is still five short of matching Hendry's mark.
While his talent has never been in question, O'Sullivan's temperament has always been suspect. But with Reardon having made him a more durable match player, there is evidence the Rocket is embracing a new way of winning matches.
"The best games to win are the ones where you are not playing at your best but manage to grind out the victory," he said.
"Those are the ones that give you the most gratification. When you play well, you can often win matches without really thinking about it.
"But the matches where you are forced to think your way though the game are the most satisfying ones to win."
O'Sullivan nearly pulled one such a match out of the bag at last month's Masters at Wembley, but instead John Higgins came back one more time to pip him 10-9, his second final defeat to the Scot this season.
"I've reached a couple of finals and found John in good form," acknowledged the Essex man. "It would have been nice to win one, but it's good to see John back where he belongs after a few poor seasons by his standards.
"He's back playing really well now and, if I don't win it, he's got the best chance at this year's world championship.
"There's a lot of good players who can win it, but I think, on current form, we'd have to start as the favourites."
While Higgins has re-established himself towards the top end of snooker's rankings, Wales' Mark Williams has gone in the opposite direction.
World champion less than three years ago, Williams is in danger of falling out of the world's elite top 16 and playing qualifiers at Pontins in Pwllheli come the autumn.
"I'm really surprised by how long Mark's slump in form has gone on," said O'Sullivan, whose autobiography revealed there is little love lost between the two twice world champions.
"For a year or so I thought maybe he'd got a bit lazy, but I can't work out how he's struggled for two years or more.
"Mark seems too good a player not to come good before too long. He should never be fighting for a top-16 place.
"But it's amazing what a little bit of confidence can do in snooker. He could even go and win at Sheffield - he's got the pedigree and the bottle, when his game comes together, he's world class."
ужс какой аха, хоть в Лувер вместо Монализы вешай! интересно, скока художнику за это заплатили и долго ли торговались. нещасная монализааааа. так вот куда пошли выигранные тыщи от ЧМ! на раскрутку имиджа после "экскьюз ми сёр" лючче б в ЮНИСЕФ их отдал.... или обратно в ДаблЮПиБиЭсЭй, на мальте призовой фонд посолиднее сделать! вот именна... на ввс высказали предположение, что картина должна сопровождацца предупреждением о возрастном ограничении на просмотр... типа детям не рекомендуецца детям и нервным и впечатлительным особам аха, те, кто хочет впечататься в стену - добро пожаловать! наверное, те дядьки, которые в нем ЧМа признали, скинуцца на картину и купят ее не, я думаю, дядьки уже осознали свою неправоту или хотя бы из жлобства не станут деньги на сию шедевру тратить а я думаю, картину купит марфушка, ибо он себя очень любит... повесит в спальне, жену пугать будет а может ее купит христианский чат и сделает своим логотипом?! кого купит - жену? а картину наверн купит комната страха в музее Тюссо жена там и так задаром, а картину, наверн, купим мы и устроим акт вандализма! во, насчет акта вандализма мне оч нравится идея... интересно, а денюх нам хватит, или художник еще приплатит, чтоб от шедевры отделаться?.. больше, чем полтора паунда сей шедевр стоить не может полтора?!!!! даешь аукцЫон по холландской методе - на понижение!! пол-паунда, кто ниже? даю 25 украинских копеек! 10 казахстанских тиын! ниже - тока бесплатно ваще! тогда я возьму пикчур и потербую, шоб мне за это доплатили!!! аха... сам модЭль-натурщик подбежит и будет доплачивать.. и кричать - Си меня! Ну си же!!!
Snooker: Ronnie's fav 'Port of call Feb 26 2006 Peter Shuttleworth, Wales on Sunday
WORLD No 1 Ronnie O'Sullivan last night urged snooker chiefs to keep the Welsh Open in Newport.
THE Newport Centre will stage the Welsh Open for the second successive year this week but World Snooker - who decide on a year-to-year basis where to host Wales' annual snooker tournament - is still seeking a suitable venue in the capital.
The Welsh Open - which started in 1992 - has previously been hosted at the Cardiff International Arena and the Welsh Institute of Sport at Sophia Gardens, but snooker's governing body consider the CIA too expensive and the Institute of Sport unsuitable.
Now snooker icon Ronnie O'Sullivan has added his weight to the discussion.
The double World Champion, who is targeting a Welsh Open hat-trick this week, insisted: "I like playing Cardiff but I do prefer the Welsh Open when it is in Newport. The crowd in Newport are far more vociferous and supportive to the players.
"They seem a lot more into their snooker compared to Cardiff where it is very quiet. I don't know why that is the case but it is."
Stephen Hendry, Jimmy White and Mark Williams were among the snooker champs to visit the Star Group factory and Dragon Woods Villa resort on Sunday.
20 Mar 2006 03:41:00
The players were treated to a tour of the factory where the Star Group produce snooker tables, then visited Dragon Woods Villa, the leading golf and villa complex in Beijing.
The tournament’s opening ceremony followed at the resort hotel, where seven-times world champion Hendry took on Star President Zhang Xiao Ning (pictured) in a frame of snooker.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16871446&method=full&siteid=66633&headline=clearing-out-the-cobwebs--name_page.html => CLEARING OUT THE COBWEBS (снова ссылка не хочет нормально выкладываться...) весна, пора подумать о здоровье
Lady Unfogettable
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Family love is helping me through, says snooker star Exclusive By Peter Lazenby A TOP Yorkshire snooker star has spoken of the family love which is helping him battle life-threatening cancer. Paul Hunter was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in March last year. The 27-year-old, who lives with his family in Upper Batley, was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) and underwent five three-week courses of chemotherapy at St James's Hospital in Leeds. Three-times Wembley Masters Champion Paul has refused to let his illness keep him away from snooker and played in the UK Championship in York in December, despite suffering from both the cancer and the effects of his treatment. At first the treatment appeared to be working, reducing the levels of cancer in his blood. But new tests in November showed the cancer had worsened and Paul is now waiting for the results of more tests. On Boxing Day his wife Lyndsey gave birth to their first child ЁC Evie Rose. Strength And in May relatives and friends of Paul are running in Leeds Half Marathon to raise funds for a charity which helps fund research into the rare cancer. Paul's wife, sister, sister-in-law, two cousins and a friend plan to help boost the search for a cure. Yesterday Paul said how proud he was of his family ЁC and how Lyndsey was the tower of strength which helped him keep going ЁC as he helped promote his relatives' marathon efforts on the steps of Leeds Civic Hall. He said: "I try to keep positive. My wife is in good spirits. She keeps me going, makes me positive. Some days are better than others. "I do get down. I have cried a few times and I don't mind admitting it. But it is a hiccup in my life. I can hardly walk at the moment. I have got pain in my side. "I'm not on any treatment at the moment. I'll be starting some soon but I don't know what it is. They are still doing tests. I hope it is not as bad as the chemo." Paul's hair has re-grown after falling out as a result of the chemotherapy. He said: "My hair was all gone but it is growing back now. I have been turning up for tournaments this year. It has been a really hard year for me." Lyndsey said: "I am fine. I have got him and the baby to look after. I am always positive and just keep going." Leeds Half Marathon takes place on May 7. Running in it will be Lyndsey, her sister Leanne, cousins Anthony and Joanne, sister-in-law Tracy and Lyndsey's friend and workmate Sally. 28 March 2006
Вах!!!! Ворлдснукер в новом дизайне..... И какие новости.... EVANS ABOVE 06 Apr 2006 14:00:00
Reanne Evans, due to become a mum in just six weeks, retained her world ladies title with a 5-3 defeat of Emma Bonney 5-3 at Cambridge Snooker Centre on Wednesday. The 20-year-old from Dudley in the West Midlands, partner of promising Northern Ireland professional Mark Allen, made a late decision to enter the tournament.
Evans and former world amateur champion Allen are expecting their first child, a girl, on May 18.
"The bump is quite large now!" said Evans after seeing off 29-year-old Portsmouth potter Bonney in the final. "But the doctors said as long as I felt okay there wasn’t any reason why I shouldn't play.
"It was a bit awkward on a couple of shots but other than that everything was fine.
"Mind you, at the end I was shattered. I think I’ll be putting my feet up now."
Evans collected £800 and 130 ranking points, for her victory and now partners Allen in the World Mixed pairs - an event that features Crucible hopefuls Nigel Bond and Neil Robertson.
It was a frustrating Championship for in-form Maria Catalano. Ronnie O’Sullivan’s cousin had won the last two ladies tournaments, defeating Evans in the final of the Connie Cough Memorial National singles.
But there was to be no first world crown for Catalano. After whitewashing Tina Owen-Sevilton 4-0 in the quarter-finals, she lost 4-3 to Bonney in the penultimate round.
Catalano and Evans shared the highest break of the event, 78, in their respective quarter-finals.
Susie Opacic defeated Hannah Jones to become World Junior champion.
Plate: Jenny Poulter (England) bt Christine Sharpe (England) 2-0 Поздравляю ее и Марика с победой, а также желаю легких родов и хорошей здоровенькой малышки!!!!
shual007
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Отправлено: 07.04.06 14:40. Заголовок: Re:
И еще....опять Мурфиевские высказывания.... MURPHY - I'M A STRONGER PLAYER 06 Apr 2006 13:13:00
Shaun Murphy believes he is a better player than he was last year as he looked forward to his defence of the 888.com World Snooker Championship title. The 23-year-old from Rotherham was back at the scene of his greatest triumph on Wednesday for the launch of snooker's most important tournament.
Last year's runner-up Matthew Stevens and rising star Barry Hawkins were also in Sheffield for the promotional day.
The players posed for photographs outside the Crucible in the 888.com Hummer, at Millennium Square and in the MacDonald Hotel.
Murphy later headed to Sheffield Hallam University to give a talk to students and answer their questions. Asked how far he expected to go in the forthcoming tournament, Murphy replied that anything less than the first prize would be a disappointment. He told worldsnooker.com: “I’m in better form than I was last year. I’ve been working very hard with my coach Steve Prest on my safety and shot selection and I think I am a smarter player these days." Murphy seeks to break the Curse of the Crucible by becoming the only first-time winner to successfully defend the title. “It would be a great honour to break it,” he added. “Especially as so many great players have tried before and failed. I’m confident that I can give it a good bash, and whatever happens I will go down fighting." He also told the Press Association: "There are new sponsors coming in and we have great links with the BBC. The time is right for more good companies to get on board and if that happens then snooker will be very big again"
Snooker's master of arts and graft finds will to take on world http://sport.guardian.co.uk/snooker/story/0,,1751118,00.html?gusrc=rss ссылка опять нормально не выкладывается.. рекомендую скопировать ее в браузер
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT FOR ROCKET AND EBDON 13 Apr 2006 09:40:00
Ronnie O'Sullivan and Peter Ebdon can't meet until the final of the 888.com World Snooker Championship - but if they do they'll be ready for battle.
The two former world champions have been practising together ahead of snooker's biggest tournament, which starts in just two days time.
It's not a sight you would expect to see after their controversial meeting at the Crucible last year.
Ebdon, champion in 2002, knocked out title holder O'Sullivan in the quarter-finals 12 months ago, showing all of his battling qualities as he came from 8-2 down to win 13-11.
But worldsnooker.com can reveal that world No 1 O'Sullivan has been a regular this week at Ebdon's practice base, the Snooker Academy in Rushden, Northamptonshire.
Academy Director Keith Warren said: "This year, for the first time in a while, they're in opposite halves of the draw. So, they've been able to practise together.
"And there will be no psychological advantage gained unless they meet the final."
Also in attendance at the Academy are 1997 world champion Ken Doherty, twice Crucible semi-finalist Joe Swail and Thai ace James Wattana.
"They've been taking it in turns to practice together," added Warren.
The appearance of such stars has been a bonus for a number of local youngsters who signed up for the Academy's Easter coaching programme.
"They can't believe they've been practicing on a table next to the likes of Ronnie, Peter and Ken," adds Warren. "They're even having meals together!"
O'Sullivan begins his Crucible campaign against Dave Harold on Tuesday, while Ebdon faces Michael Holt on Wednesday.
www.worldsnooker.com
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A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR PARROTT 11 Apr 2006 11:00:00
It will be a proud moment for John Parrott when he steps out at the Crucible to compete in the 888.com World Snooker Championship. Wife Karen and his two children will be among the spectators in the famous arena when he takes on Graeme Dott in snooker's showpiece tournament, which starts on Saturday. "The kids will get a chance to see me play at the Crucible for the first time," said Parrott. "I can't wait to get started."
The 1991 champion missed out as a player 12 months ago after falling at the last qualifying hurdle.
He almost went down again this season but survived a real nail biter to beat Mansfield rival Lee Spick 10-9.
Now, the 41-year-old Everton fanatic is back in a playing capacity as well as in his familiar role as a TV pundit.
"I was quoted somewhere as being 600-1 for the title. I should be 6000-1," quipped the wise cracking Scouser.
"I have no pretension of going to the Crucible to win the title again. My priority is to go there and play to a decent standard in my opening match," Parrott told www.worldsnooker.com
"This is my 22nd time as a player but I still can't wait to get there.
"If I hadn't qualified again my cue would have been in its case gathering cobwebs for the summer.
"But once I knew I was through I have been putting in the work. I had a little problem with alignment but I think that's been sorted out now.
"So far so good but as everyone knows it's totally different from playing well in practice and then re-producing it on the match table.
"The positive thing from my point of view was I won my qualifying match with a great clearance. It showed me I can still do it under pressure."
Parrott opens his campaign against 2004 world runner-up Graeme Dott from Scotland. Dott is just one of the many leading contenders grouped together in the 'half of death.'
"It's an absolute minefield down here," he said. "And because of that the tournament is wide open. You can make a case for plenty of players," adds Parrott, who surprisingly, hasn't been beyond the quarter-finals at Sheffield since his 18-11 final triumph against Jimmy White.
"I see Ronnie is 3-1 and may be tempting a few people. But he hasn't had the greatest of seasons by his own standards. Then you've got John Higgins and Mark Williams who have been playing well recently.
"But that bottom section is so hard that I have a sneaking feeling for Ken Doherty. He could have a tough second round game against Matthew Stevens who, we all know, plays his best at the Crucible.
"But if Ken gets through he looks a useful price to me.
"Shaun Murphy, of course, wants to retain the title. He certainly won't be fazed by the pressure of having to defend it.
"And if he plays the same standard as he did last season then he's got half a chance."
Parrott, of course, will be sharing his opinions with millions of BBC TV viewers in his role behind the cameras along with fellow veteran Steve Davis.
Six times winner Davis saw his TV commitments reduced at the Travis Perkins UK Championship last December.
However, Parrott says: "The dual role isn't a problem for either of us. You go there to do your best as a player."
Ну что ж, гуд лак, Джон!!!! А также, гуд лак, Доттик!!!!!
shual007
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Отправлено: 13.04.06 14:03. Заголовок: Re:
И еще... HAWK EYES SHEFFIELD CELEBRATION 12 Apr 2006 09:49:00
Barry Hawkins gave himself an early birthday present by qualifying to play at the Crucible Theatre for the first time, and he hopes he'll still be in Sheffield when he turns 27. The left-hander from Kent wants to remain a competitor in the 888.com World Championship when his birthday comes around on April 23. That would involve beating 1997 champion Ken Doherty for a possible last 16 show down with twice runner-up Matthew Stevens. Not the easiest of draws for the only first-timer at the Crucible this year. But Hawkins is the man in form having risen to 10th on the provisional rankings from a lowly 189th just five seasons ago. He’s reached the semi-finals of this season’s Grand Prix and the Welsh Open, beating seven times world champion Stephen Hendry in the latter event. No wonder he says: "This has been my best ever season. I’ve been to a couple of semi-finals, won all my first round matches, guaranteed my top 16 place for next season and qualified for the Crucible for the first time. "It would top it off to get a couple of good wins at Sheffield. There’s probably bit more pressure on me as the only debutant but I can’t wait to get out there. I said to myself I wouldn’t even come to Sheffield to watch before I got the chance to play. "Ever since I took up the game at 12, on a table with clip on pockets, I have practiced to play at the Crucible. "I’ve seen so many others play there and I felt I’d been missing out. Now I’ve got my chance though I have no idea how I will feel walking through those curtains. "It’s probably taken me longer to get this far than I expected. But that’s down to me because I used to lack some self belief. "It’s only been in the last couple of years I’ve got more confident," says Hawkins, now based in Dartford. And for that he thanks mentor and friend Terry Burke. "Terry used to work a bit with David Gray," explains Hawkins, relishing a best of 19 frames battle with Dubliner Doherty. "I wouldn’t call him my coach. But he is very knowledgeable about the game. There isn’t a shot in the game he doesn’t know how to play. "And he’s also a good friend to talk things over with when you’re at tournaments." The two have been drawing up battle plans to defeat Malta Cup winner Doherty next week. Hawkins knows he’s in for a war of attrition. "Ken’s back on form and it’s probably one of the toughest draws I could have got," added Hawkins. "But sometimes playing the top players works in my favour. I know I have got to raise my game to stand any chance. "But hopefully I can beat him. However, I don’t expect many chances. He is well known for being a hard match player. "He is very dogged and has a good tactical game if things are not going his way. He will turn balls down and keep things tight. But I’ve just got to stay focused and play my own game."
If he does that then Hawkins might just get that opportunity to have a quiet birthday party in South Yorkshire.
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DYNAMIC DUO 10 Apr 2006 15:42:00
Reanne Evans completed a memorable double by winning the World Mixed Pairs Championship alongside Mark Allen.
Advertisement Evans headed back to Dudley on Friday with two trophies in the bag having already defended her World Ladies Championship title. Romance blossomed between Evans and up-and-coming Northern Ireland potter Allen at the 2004 World Amateur Championship and they are expecting their first child in just a few weeks time. Several of snooker's leading professionals competed in the pairs event at Cambridge Snooker Centre. Evans and Allen got the better of Hannah Jones and former world finalist Nigel Bond 3-0 in the quarter-finals then saw off Leah Willet and Joe Perry 3-2 in the semis. Willet and Perry had beaten Pooja Galundia and Michael 'Hitman' Holt in the quarters. In the other half of the draw, Sonia Chapman and Matthew Couch scored a surprise 3-1 defeat of Vicki Layton and Neil Robertson then edged out Malgozata Klys and Martin Jewtuch 3-2 to reach the final. But breaks of 94 from Evans and 83 from Allen were enough to see them to a 3-0 victory in the final and a £400 first prize.
GRAEME Dott admits starting his World Snooker Championship campaign against John Parrott will be tough, but the Larkhall cue ace is full of confidence. The 888.com World Championship tournament, at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield from April 15-May 1, is the most prestigious event in the snooker circuit. But, having been a beaten finalist in 2004 — running champ Ronnie O’Sullivan close — Graeme (28), has been over the course before. And the softly-spoken star reckons he’s improved a lot since then. He said: “There are no easy games at this level, but it is quite a tough draw this year, with a lot of the big names down in the bottom half, where I am. “But it will be difficult for everybody and to win the tournament you have to beat players like that.” On facing 1991 champion Parrott, Dott commented: “It should be a good game and, provided I play well, I fancy my chances. “It’s going to be a case of me worrying about myself, rather than what John is doing. “If I get through I could be up against Stephen Hendry, but he has to win his game against Nigel Bond (England), and I don’t want to be disrespectful to him — but it would be great to have two Scots battling it out for a place in the last 16.” Dott added: “I’ve been to the World Championship final once, which proves that it can be done again, so I will go into the tournament with belief in myself. “I’m a better player now than I was in 2004, and this year my ranking has gone up from 30 to 12 — as long as I win my opening match I should be all right.” Dott says his preparation for a World Championship isn’t much different to any other event, but he’s practising with Wishaw’s John Higgins — a mutually-beneficial situation that Graeme hopes will further improve his game. He said: “For a World Championship, training is obviously more intense, and I’m practising with John Higgins, which will help a lot. “I moved recently from a club in Larkhall where I’ve been all my life to the Masters Club in Glasgow, and John was already a member there. “I think the practise sessions we have are good for both players.”
UNHAPPY MEDIUM Conman psychic jailed after will scam rumbled By Bill Daniels
A MEDIUM who used his "powers" to con a widow out of £6500 was jailed for 18 months yesterday.
The judge told Paul De-Aaran: "I'm sure you have foreseen that you are going to prison."
De-Aaran, real name Paul Williams, fleeced victim Joyce Sutton by telling her that her husband Charles, 83, had appeared to him from beyond the grave.
He said the dead man had told him that something was hidden behind the grandfather clock at Joyce's home.
De-Aaran, 48, had earlier forged a will and planted it behind the clock. The bogus document claimed that Charles had left the clairvoyant £6500.
Prosecutor Andrew Wallace said De-Aaran had tricked Joyce, 63, with "a load of baloney". Handwriting experts exposed the will as a forgery.
Charlatan
De-Aaran, who had a luxury canal-side home and drove a Rolls-Royce, also swindled a blind pensioner out of nearly £6500.
Sentencing, judge Peter Cooke told De-Aaran he had committed appalling crimes.
He added: "You have become a charlatan and a conman, preying parasitically on vulnerable people because they were bereaved, elderly or blind.
"I take everything from you with a very large pinch of salt.
"I'm sure you have foreseen that you are going to prison. You don't have to be clairvoyant, when you have done what you did, to see that."
De-Aaran claims to have worked as a spiritualist for stars including Michael Barrymore, Barbara Windsor, Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall and snooker champion Steve Davis.
He has also claimed to be a former RAF pilot who was seriously wounded in the Falkands War. Air Force officials say they have never heard of him.
De-Aaran's first victim was blind OAP Gerald Rowley. He stole cash the old man had saved up for his funeral by persuading him to change his bank account, then taking the new passbook and putting his own name on it.
The medium took £6491 from Gerald between March and September 2003.
Joyce and Charles Sutton became friendly with De-Aaran in 1997 after paying him to exorcise a ghost from their home in Dudley, near Birmingham.
De-Aaran regularly gave the couple spiritual advice until Charles died in 2004.
Joyce condemned the conman last night, saying: "I just can't believe what that man did.
"He pretended to be my friend after my husband passed away. But he stole all my money in the cruellest way possible."
At Wolverhampton Crown Court, De-Aaran pleaded guilty to seven charges including theft, forgery and obtaining property by deception. He will be eligible for release in nine months.
Defence lawyer Adam Weston said De-Aaran used the money he stole to fund a lavish lifestyle and entertain his mistress.
Mr Weston said his client had a drug problem and suffered from depression. He added: "I have to accept that no significant steps have been taken to repay the money taken from Mrs Sutton and Mr Rowley."
I'm sure you have foreseen that you are going to prison'
SNOOKER: WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Scot tipped for glory win By John Docherty
STEVE DAVIS insists Stephen Hendry has a great opportunity to win an eighth world snooker title - because he's the best player to have graced the green baize.
The 47-year-old Englishman, who has six world titles of his own, believes Hendry remains in a different league from his fellow professionals.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has a massive fan base and many argue that the Rocket is the best - but not Davis. He is adamant Hendry's seven world titles, compared to Ronnie's two, leaves no room for a debate.
And for the record he reckons the Scot is also the most talented player.
Davis said: "The top player ever has got be Stephen, you could not argue with that any other way. There is no case for any other player in the game.
"You will always get people saying Ronnie is a better player. He may be a breathtaking genius but he is not a better player than Stephen and never has been. "You can only prove that by winning titles and he has not won anything like the number Stephen has. His relentless longevity proves he's the greatest.
"It's for the fans to pick over the crumbs and decide who is the most talented but I could never see past Stephen and you could argue that the most talented players are the ones to win the most trophies. "
This year's 888.com World Championship gets underway tomorrow with England's Shaun Murphy launching his title defence against Thailand's James Wattana.
Vicious
Davis, who sets off on the 17-day Sheffield marathon against Andy Hicks - and could face Murphy in the second round - believes Hendry is still a major force, even at the age of 37 and no longer the Golden Bairn.
He said: "Stephen has a great chance of winning this year's championship. He is back to a bit of form and he's still got his eye on the trophy. He must have a realistic chance although there are a couple of other people higher up in the pecking order as far as the bookmakers are concerned.
"There is another Scotsman, John Higgins, who looks to be in great form. He's won two titles in what's been a great season and for that reason Scotland are very well represented this year. You have also got Stephen Maguire. He has been quiet this year but that is perhaps a reaction to the dizzy heights he was achieving two years ago which can bring its own crosses to bear as well.
"Who can say this won't be the time he breaks free of whatever restrictions have held him back.
"You have to remember Graeme Dott as well. He's a bloody good player, I know that, but he tends not to get the credit he deserves. He's a vicious match-player and is a threat to anyone. And there's the very experienced Alan McManus so it augurs well for the Scots."
Davis, meanwhile, hopes to recapture the form of the UK Championship in December when he swept to the final, beating Hendry en route, only to run out of steam against 18-year-old Chinese star Ding Junhui.
He said: "Reaching the final gave me belief I could still cut it when it mattered.
"I'm turning up at the practice table, they are all going in and I'm not worried about my grip, my stance, anything. I feel like I'm on auto-pilot more than I have ever been.
"The UK has told me not to be apprehensive about anyone because I know I can outplay them on my day."
Maguire cashes in on his luck Stephen Maguire made it third time lucky at the Crucible Theatre today as he reached the second round of the 888.com World Championship with a 10-6 victory over Mark King.
The fourth seed was unlucky to be drawn against Ronnie O’Sullivan on his two previous visits to Sheffield and lost both times, although last year he pushed the ‘Rocket’ to a deciding frame.
This time, however, Maguire finally got over the initial hurdle to ensure he will end a disappointing campaign on a brighter note.
It was not exactly vintage stuff from the former UK champion, but seven half-century breaks indicated his game is in solid shape.
“All I’ve been thinking about for weeks has been this match,” said the 25-year-old Scot, who will meet Alan McManus or Marco Fu in the second round.
“I’m chuffed to bits because I love winning matches, whether it’s the World Championship or just in the local club.”
King’s chances disappeared when he missed the final black off its spot in frame 14, which meant he trailed 9-5 instead of 8-6, and the Essex player admitted that had been pivotal.
“I played well in patches but missed a couple of balls that cost me,” said the 32-year-old. “I didn’t disgrace myself though.”
Earlier, Ken Doherty inflicted a Crucible debut nightmare on rising star Barry Hawkins when he cruised through 10-1.
Hawkins, ranked number 29 in the world, has made rapid strides over the last couple of years to secure a top-10 place for next season, but will quickly want to forget his first appearance on snooker’s biggest stage.
“I had two bad days at the office,” said the 26-year-old from Beckenham.
“I just couldn’t perform and I can’t explain why. Ken had nobody to beat and I’m gutted after such a good season to have played like that.”
Doherty, the 1997 champion, is back to something like his best after a lean spell, and the Malta Cup winner was delighted with the way he had dealt with a potentially tricky opponent.
“It was the toughest draw on paper and a workmanlike performance but I’m very pleased,” said the 36-year-old Dubliner.
The two matches that began in the morning and afternoon sessions were one-sided affairs, with two-time former champion Mark Williams opening an 8-1 lead over Anthony Hamilton.
Paul Hunter, who has been battling against cancer for the last 12 months, trailed 7-2 to Neil Robertson ahead of tonight’s conclusion.
The Yorkshireman has understandably found competing tough since he was diagnosed with his illness but played better than the scoreline suggested, especially considering his lack of matchplay.
Прошу пардону, что опять статья целиком.... ROBERTSON 10 HUNTER 5 17 Apr 2006 23:07:00 Post-match press conference quotes from Neil Robertson's defeat of Paul Hunter...
Neil Robertson quotes
Q Was it a difficult match for you because of Paul’s situation? A I said pre-match that it was likely to be hardest match I’d ever have to play. And it was. There was no joy in any click or bit of run I had, for obvious reasons.
Q But you must be pleased with the result A I’m just happy to get the result and to be in the last 16 for the first time. And if my top 16 place wasn’t guaranteed before, it is now and I’m very proud to do that. It was a match I just had to get through. I’ve been building myself up to try and block out any emotions I’d have during the match, but it was extremely difficult and there were a lot of things running through my head. I could see Paul was struggling a bit round the table, and it wasn’t nice to see. He’s a really nice guy and I’m just wishing him well and hoping he can get through this.
Q How do you rate your chances in the tournament? A If I play as well as I can I don’t fear anyone and I think the longer matches suit my style of game. I do take on the odd lunatic shot here and there which in a short match you get punished for, but in the longer match you can get away with it a bit. I am trying to cut out the more ridiculous shots but sometimes I see a long red and say don’t go for it, don’t go for it, but I do, and then say oh what have I done!
Paul Hunter quotes
Q How hard was it for you to play today? A It has been tough for me. I haven’t really enjoyed playing when I’ve been ill, when I’ve had pain. And I’ve had to try and give it a go to try and keep my ranking. But I haven’t done that. I suppose I’ll be back next year, trying to get back up where I should be.
Q Did you think the match could have been a lot closer? A This morning’s session, at 7-2 down, I thought maybe it would have been fair to have been 5-4. At 7-2 I had a mountain to climb tonight. It could have been a bit different, but like I always do I come out and give it my best. Maybe if I’d gone 8-5, then if I’d won the next to go 8-6 I’d have felt a lot better, but 9-4 was a lot tougher. I enjoy it here at the Crucible, and I only live down the road, so I can just pop down.
Q How difficult was it for you physically? A It was pretty tough. To be honest, yesterday I didn’t think I’d be here. I was in a pretty bad way yesterday. I managed to sweat a bit out of me and got here. The pain in my side is just 24-7 now, I just obviously have to get on with it. I get stiff and get light-headed as well. It was pretty warm out there so I put a wet towel on my head. I had to try and come and win a few matches to try and keep my ranking. Obviously I didn’t expect to win tournaments or anything, but I had to try to tough it out.
Q What’s next for you? A I start back on chemo on Wednesday for another 16 weeks. I’m probably worse off than I was this time last year. They’re going to give me chemo, not to try to get rid of the tumors, but to try to stop them growing. After 16 weeks if it’s stopped growing, then they’ll put me on to more treatment to try and shrink it. So who knows?
Q How is your daughter? A My baby is fine. She’s got a bit of a cold at the moment. She’s 16 weeks old today. She’s fantastic. She’s the best thing that’s happened this year. I’ve always got a smile on my face because of her.
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WELSH DRAGON BREATHES AGAIN 18 Apr 2006 17:41:00
A relieved Matthew Stevens has reached the second round of the 888.com World Snooker Champion - and in doing so took a huge step towards keeping his top 16 status. Last year’s runner-up Stevens avoided any slip-ups as he eased his way to a 10-5 first-round victory over Belfast’s Joe Swail at the Crucible. Stevens won the Northern Ireland Trophy at the start of the season but has had a disappointing campaign in ranking events and came in to the tournament at No 19 on the provisional list.
But victory today is likely to ensure his place among the elite for another season.
World No 4 see Stevens, who lost 18-16 to Shaun Murphy in last year’s showcase final, led 6-3 overnight, but Swail made the Carmarthen potter sweat by winning the opening two frames of the concluding session to reduce his arrears.
But Stevens hit back with an excellent 112 break - his second century of the match - to edge 7-5 ahead.
Two-times semi-finalist Swail looked set to pull one back when he led 49-19 in the next and trapped his opponent in snooker on the last red. But former UK and Masters champion Stevens enjoyed an outrageous fluke on the red and cleared the table.
He won the 14th frame with a 44 and came from 64-0 down to win the next with a 39 clearance to seal victory.
"I missed a couple of balls and let Joe back into the match," admitted Stevens. "But I thought I played the better snooker over the two days. It was always going to be tough, so I’m just glad to be in the next round."
And Stevens is looking forward to playing 1997 world champion Ken Doherty in the next round, with the pair due to begin their best-of-25 frame match on Saturday night.
He added: "It’s been a tough season, but I’m in the tournament now. Anyone can win it. I’m looking forward to playing Ken.
"He’s one of the most experienced players in the tournament. You get no easy matches here!"
A defeated and deflated Swail admitted he had been beaten by the better man.
"It was very, very frustrating out there," admitted Swail. "I’m not taking anything away from Matthew because he played well, but I got a lot of kicks and couldn’t find any rhythm.
"Generally, all the way through the match, I felt I played pretty well, but Matthew was the better player."
Two-times winner Ronnie O’Sullivan has taken a commanding 7-2 lead over Stoke potter Dave Harold in their first round clash.
World No 1 O’Sullivan was in sparkling form and won seven frames on the bounce with some classy break-building.
Two century breaks - 106 and a tournament high 139 - and runs of 67, 43 and 70 saw the Rocket surge ahead and threaten the second whitewash in Crucible history.
But Harold, who defeated last season’s beaten Crucible semi-finalist Ian McCulloch in the final round of qualifying for this year’s tournament, won the last two frames of the session.
Harold had an 80 break in the eighth frame to help stop the history books being re-written, before winning the final frame of the session by potting brown to pink.
SHAUN MURPHY 13 STEVE DAVIS 7 22 Apr 2006 14:38:00 Post match press conference comments as the defending champion wins his seventh consecutive match at the Crucible. Shaun Murphy quotes
Q Did you feel there was more expectation on you playing Steve this year? A Not really because I think everyone still regards Steve very highly and I don’t expect everyone to be on my side when I’m playing him as he is a legend. He walks out, gets a great reception and everyone wants to see him to play well and that includes me! He’s still the bloke I look up to and it’s nice to watch him fizz the white round the table and do things that are very clever. They look innocuous but they are actually really clever and it’s nice to watch him up close. Fortunately for me he doesn’t finish frames off like he used to and I’m thought other quarter-finals.
Q Are you over your virus now Shaun? A Just about. My throat is really sore but it is not giving me as much trouble as it was doing. Through the first match it was a real struggle but after a few early nights and some medication and hopefully by the quarters I’ll be fully recovered.
Q Will the cloth change allow you to build a rhythm? A The cloth will be changed on Saturday for the quarter-finals and then all the tables will be dismantled and a new one put it for the semi-finals. It won’t give anyone an advantage, as it will be the same for everyone. A new cloth will won’t make much difference to how players are throughout the tournament, it’ll just mean that maybe it’ll be a little bit like we’re used to at most other events. I have been amazed at how much has been said about the cloth. I don’t know whether players have forgotten how to adapt but maybe if the cloth’s a bit slower, they should hit the ball a bit harder. However, the pockets are small so if you hit the ball a bit harder you have to be more accurate and some shots don’t go in like they would do normally. I can’t believe how many players have complained about table speeds when we all grew up playing on different club tables and some tables I’ve played on around the world have been horrific but you just have to adapt.
Q You’ve not made many breaks over 60 this year. A I’m just not playing quite as well as I was last year. Having said that my tactical game has really come on this season. I’ve outmanoeuvred James Wattana and Steve Davis, so I’m pleased with my first two rounds work. No one beats the Nugget without knowing their way round the table. We’ve both put each other in difficult positions and if I can get someone like him in trouble then eventually I’ll find my potting boots. I think I’ve lost them at home somewhere! Sooner or later I will find them and when I do, if I keep playing safe this well then the other players could be in trouble.
Q Do you think some of the other players have used the table as an excuse? A I find it so strange that snooker players seem to think that when turning up at an event the tables should be the same every time. I don’t where that comes from – it doesn’t happen in any other sport. When you grow up playing on tables in junior tournaments they change from week to week and learning to adapt to a slower or faster table is a skill like screwing the white back. The hand marks people refer to were there in the past. Its not a problem, it just highlights the players who can adapt but I don’t tend to roll many shots anyway – they all seem to crack in the back of the pocket. If they start making the pockets of glass then I’m in trouble!
Steve Davis quotes
Q You won a few more frames against Shaun than you did last year A He played astonishingly well last year and it would be unfair to judge him against that performance. The conditions are quite difficult. I think they’re going to change the cloth. It was dampish as well and that’s not the cloth’s fault, it’s been raining for a few days. It’s unusual for the Crucible to be damp. If there’s moisture in the air, that gets into the cloth and makes the pockets smaller. I was disappointed in the way I started off the first two sessions, and especially disappointed in the way I lost the fifth frame, I threw it away and that hurt me quite a lot. From looking like 3-2, it was 4-1. I wouldn’t say I didn’t recover but I struggled after that. I came out for the second session and for the first two frames played like a dog, and it was uphill from that point. But I enjoyed it.
Q How do you rate Murphy’s chances? A You can’t predict what’s going to happen. I can’t believe some of the results. It’s just on the day. On his day he’s a brilliant player so he can win it. He’s struggling with a bit of a cold so he’s not 100 per cent. If they put another cloth on then you’ll start to see who’s playing well, if they adapt quickly to the conditions. He’s not without a chance. But don’t write anyone off. I commentated on Marco Fu’s match against Alan McManus and he didn’t seem to be playing that well and I thought there’s no way he’ll beat Stephen Maguire. But now he’s 12-4 up. You just can’t say who’s going to play well. It’s very open. There are players who would have more of a problem winning it than others, but if you get on a roll in a tournament the buoyancy of it all can push a player to greater things.
Q You’re guaranteed to be back here next season A yes, I’ve had a good season. It’s not been a great one but it’s been productive, especially getting to the final of the UK. I shall go out tonight and celebrate my season because I’ve not gone down the rungs. In fact I’ve gone up a few rungs. Other players have struggled so I’m in good company. I might even hang on in the top 16 until I’m 50. I haven’t got many ambitions left so I found that one in the bottom of the box! It’s nice to be playing ok, I’ve had my moments and I’m enjoying it more. I’m looking forward to next season. I’d like to get off to a good start in the matches a bit more, that’s one thing that gets harder as you get older. Jimmy White was saying the same thing. You just have to accept those type of things, maybe you have to be fitter so I’ll be on the cycling machine.
PETER EBDON 13 SHAUN MURPHY 7 26 Apr 2006 23:57:00 Post match press conference reaction as Ebdon knocks out the defending champion... Shaun Murphy quotes
Q It must have been nice to leave the arena to a great round of applause A Yes it was. It was nice that they cheered me out. Being the local lad I think they got behind me. I’ve had great support all year, especially here. I’ll be back.
Q How do you feel? A I’m absolutely gutted, I came here to win the tournament. I’ve not done that and I’m very disappointed. It’s quite an emotional day, not all in a bad way. Being world champion is not the easiest job in the world, there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with it and next year that will be someone else’s job. I think I’m going to finish the season in the top 5 and next season I’ll have a great opportunity to come in with very little on my shoulders and hopefully I’ll be able to go about my business under the radar.
Q Why do you think it’s so hard to defend the title? A I can speak from experience now. Everything that goes with being world champion, everything you have to do and the commitments that come your way which you’d be silly not to fulfil – you spend a lot of time away from the table. All my life I’ve spend five or six hours at the snooker table working on my game. I came to Sheffield trying to be as sharp as I can but I’ve not been able to be as sharp as I was last year. It’s ironic that my last shot wasn’t a bad safety or a tactical mistake as it has been in previous matches but a missed pot. That’s not really one of my weaknesses but all through this tournament I’ve not scored and today it’s cost me.
Q You just couldn’t get going yesterday A No. If you take the first seven frames out of the equation it’s a different match. But you can’t take the first seven frames out. It’s over three sessions and they all count. Those seven frames will haunt me for a few weeks because without that I could have gone through. I just went out there and tried to do the same things I’d done in the first two matches. Against Peter that just wasn’t good enough. Against James Wattana and Steve Davis I got through quite easily, my mistakes weren’t punished. But Ebdon is my tip out of the last four because he’s playing very good snooker. His safety is exemplary and he doesn’t miss any easy balls. For my money he’d be the winner. He’s at the top of his game and mine just wasn’t good enough. It got better today but I started too badly and at this level you can’t afford to do that.
Q Your potting won you the title this year but it wasn’t there this time A Last year I potted everyone off the table but this time I only made two centuries in three long matches. That’s unheard of for me. I don’t have any answers as to why that is. My safety game has been really good, I’ve worked hard on that. That got me through to the quarters but it wasn’t enough.
Q Will you watch the rest of the tournament? A Definitely, it’s the World Championship. It’s our biggest festival of snooker and I love snooker to bits. I only live 15 minutes away so I’ll probably come and watch, I’ll take advantage of my player’s pass! I’ll be here for the semis and probably for the final as well.
Peter Ebdon quotes
Q It was a very sporting gesture to clap Shaun out of the arena A He’s been a brilliant world champion and I just said to him at the end that I really appreciate everything he’s done for snooker over the past year. The efforts that he’s gone to, to promote snooker over the past year have been exceptional so I just wanted to thank him for doing an outstanding job.
Q Will that be an inspiration to you if you win it? A Well it would be lovely. One match at a time
Q It was hard going today A Yes it was tough. I knew this morning that Shaun was going to throw everything at me, including the kitchen sink. It was a performance you would expect from the world champion. I won a massive frame to go 10-6 and held myself together under pressure. To be 9-7, I would still have had a lead but he would have been fancying it a bit. I did all the damage in the first session which is unusual for me. It makes a nice change. At 9-7 he would still have had a good chance. I don’t know any other top player who goes for as many balls as he does and that makes him exciting to watch, that’s what made him world champion last year. He was here for 17 days, he beat the top players and blew everybody away. He plays very entertaining and exciting snooker.
Q How do you mean when he you say he has promoted the game? A He’s put himself around, he’s been on radio programmes, cookery programmes, promoting snooker. Not many people would have gone out of their way to do that. He’s obviously enjoyed it and he deserves that because he’s earned it. He’s been an outstanding world champion.
Q What about your 147 attempt? A What a nightmare. The red that I missed into the green pocket – I was trying to swing the white around the angles with a touch of left hand side but the blue and the brown were in the way. I had to play the shot in a manner I wouldn’t normally play it. I played it a bit quickly which I wouldn’t normally do and missed it thick. It was a bad miss really but there you go.
Q Were you starting to think about the money? A No I was thinking about potting the red!
Q Was that your best performance since you won the World Championship? A I was solid. I’m better prepared for this tournament than any other tournament in my career. I really have worked hard. It’s been really tough being away from Deborah and the children but that’s what I felt I needed to do. I’ve had great practice at the Academy with James Wattana, Ken Doherty and Ronnie O’Sullivan. I’d like to give a special mention to Lewis Roberts whose father is a cue maker and came to practise with me when I had no one else to practise with. I think I made a maximum against him! It’s really helped sharpen me up. I’ve worked really hard on my fitness too and I’m enjoying my snooker. I wanted to leave something for Sheffield because the in-form players don’t necessarily come through. They may have taken a lot out of themselves during the season. I deliberately try to peak at Sheffield and hopefully I’m coming into form at the right time.
Q Do you believe you can win it? A That’s a pre-requisite, the belief has got to come first. I believe I deserve it because I’ve worked hard enough. It would be lovely but I’ve got a very tough semi-final. Marco has played really well to beat Ken and Ken’s one of the best match-players we’ve ever seen. He must be on top form.
Q Why is it so hard to defend this title? A It’s tough! You’ve got to beat top class players. If Shaun had beaten me he would have had another tough match and then another one in the final. It takes a lot out of you which is why we place so much importance on fitness. Ronnie looks like a greyhound. He’s a great inspiration to me. He’s so dedicated, I wish I could be that fit.
Q How hard is the travelling? A It’s very tough. We moved to Dubai because we thought it was the right thing for the family and we live a fabulous lifestyle. Most of my training is at the Academy, I practice 6 to 8 hours a day, swim a mile a day and I’m careful about what I eat. I’m just trying to be as professional as I can.
shual007
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Отправлено: 27.04.06 07:09. Заголовок: Re:
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN 13 MARK WILLIAMS 1127 Apr 2006 01:16:00 Post match press conference comments as the Rocket gathers pace... Mark Williams quotes Q What did you say to him afterwards? A I just said well played. I came back at him and put him under loads of pressure. At 11-11 I had a chance to go 12-11 up. I was a bit unlucky to leave him a red but he made an excellent clearance. You’ve got to take your hat off for that break. I don’t think there’s any other player who could have made that break because I kept him off the table for a long time. That’s why he’s world No 1 because he can make clearances like that. I think I had him on the rack tonight but that break was superb.
Q Is your return to form a consolation? A I can’t grumble about that match. It was an excellent match, there were a lot of breaks. He played really well throughout and I still could have had him in the end. It was a fantastic match to be involved in. I came out on the wrong side but I can’t grumble because I played well myself. I tried my best and with a bit more run of the ball it could have gone my way.
Q Is he the favourite now? A Yes, I think I’ve just lost to the winner. No disrespect to anyone else but once he gets among the balls he looks so confident. Even when he’s potting them and you are sitting down you enjoy watching him play because he’s so fluent and smooth. You can’t do much about it. He doesn’t look like missing when he gets in. If he plays anything like that you can’t see him being beaten.
Ronnie O’Sullivan quotes
Q You were really tested A He’s the hardest opponent I’ve ever faced. With other players there are major weaknesses but where it matters in bottle and character, Mark has that in abundance. He never once let up on me. At 10-6 I made a mistake and it affected me. I lost my way and I started jabbing at the white and I couldn’t make 10. I knew I had to hang in there and to nick one of those frames was massive. Mentally and physically my game had gone. At the interval I got on the practice table and spoke to Ray Reardon and I was able to get it right. From 11-9 I did very little wrong. I might have missed a couple of pots but nothing easy. I was kept off the table so much, he put so much pressure on me. Every time I left him a long ball, no matter how hard it was I knew he was going to get it. Then he either rolled me up or made 60. He looked so comfortable out there, he was taking me out of my space and that’s what he’s good at. I didn’t expect to win. I’m surprised.
Q He said it was a pleasure to watch you play A There’s a mutual respect there. For character and self-belief and toughness under pressure, he’s a class act. He’s one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen, up there with Hendry and Higgins. That’s nice of Mark to say that. It’s sad there has to be a loser. He played a great part in the game and deserves a pat on the back even if it doesn’t make him feel any better.
Q Do you think you can win it? A That match was a great confidence builder. It’s a great event, 888.com have helped put on a fantastic tournament and Sheffield produces a great atmosphere. There’s some tense stuff out there and it’s great to still be in the tournament.
Q Does your support make you feel good? A The crowd gave both of us tremendous support and appreciated our play. All of snooker’s characters over the years have built up a following and I just happen to have mine. I’m grateful and appreciative. At the end of my career I’ll be able to look back and say I’ve entertained a lot of people. They come to watch me and they enjoy watching me. I get taken aback by some of the things they say. The most important thing is when I hear other players speaking about me. Ken Doherty, John Parrott and Steve Davis have all had nice things to say about me. It means a lot. I think ‘why me?' because there are so many other great players. Snooker is the greatest game on Earth and I’m really pleased to be involved here and excited to have got this far.
Q Are you surprised to be playing Graeme Dott in the semis? A I was just so involved in the match tonight that I didn’t have a chance to think about it. Your mind can wander and that’s when you have to call on your experience and realise it’s not over until you are out of the arena. At no stage did I think I had it in the bag. It was a difficult night. I’m here for the 888.com World Championship, this is a big event for them, a big event for me, I’m excited to be playing in it and I just want to give 100 per cent for everyone involved in snooker. I think we should just enjoy this 888.com World Championship and really have some fun over the next five days. Thanks very much!
dmitrij
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Отправлено: 27.04.06 11:17. Заголовок: Пятилетний договор - вчера заключён
LONDON, April 26: TWI has inked a five-year representation deal for the rights to World Snooker Association events, beginning in August, with a broadcast deal in place with Eurosport.
For the next five years, Eurosport will air all WSA snooker events across their pan-European network of more than 107 million homes. This will cover at least 300 hours of live coverage per year, including key events such as the Grand Prix, the UK Champs, the Masters, the China Open and the World Championships.
Adam Kelly, business affairs director of TWI, noted, "TWI takes great pride in its newly expanded relationship with World Snooker. We have taken a significant step towards developing the sport internationally. We believed in the potential of snooker and have great confidence in its continued growth in popularity both in Europe and across the globe. Today's announcement is the beginning of a bright future."
PETER EBDON 17 GRAEME DOTT 16(что это???ну дает ворлдснукер!!) 29 Apr 2006 20:14:00 Post match press conference comments as Ebdon triumphs in epic semi-final... Marco Fu quotes
Q You so nearly made a great come back A Yes, I did everything I could except win it. It’s great because I went out there and enjoyed myself. I needed to win 8-1 which is a tall order against Peter especially the way he was playing yesterday, it was virtually impossible. I got off to a good start, I won a scrappy first frame and that set me on the way. I made some good breaks, played fluently and got Peter under pressure. I really enjoyed it, the way I played snooker, it’s the way I always want to play the game. To do that on a big occasion felt great.
Q The momentum was with you going into the last frame A Yes, but give credit to Peter. I missed a pink but after that I didn’t do much wrong. I played a good safety and he potted a tremendous red and made a winning clearance. I’m not sure how many people in the world would have been able to do that but Peter is one of them. You just have to shake his hand and say well played.
Q Did you believe you could win it? A When I won the first four frames today I believed I could. Peter was jabbing a little bit and he was under pressure, but it was not to be.
Q What did Terry tell you before the last session? A He just told me to go and enjoy myself and take it one frame at a time. He told me I needed to be on top of my game and hope that Peter didn’t play as well. Things were going my way and I knew I had a chance. The way I’ve played in the last 14 or 15 days I have felt that I can beat anybody, and I haven’t felt that for quite a while. It’s great to get it back so quickly because a few months ago I was struggling but the season has turned around. It surprises me and surprises Terry.
Q Do you think Peter can win it? A Yes because mentally he is very strong and I really appreciate that. He’s so good under pressure. If he gets himself mentally prepared for the final he has a great chance. He doesn’t seem to be affected that much by the long matches. He looks fit. I think I’ve just lost to the winner.
Peter Ebdon quotes
Q There was a lot of emotion at the end A It means so much and I’ve worked so hard. I don’t know how Marco will be feeling at the moment but every credit to him because it was an incredible performance. He showed incredible strength of character under the most extreme circumstances and adversity. He was truly magnificent and I take my hat off to him. He held himself together and played his best snooker under pressure. It was awesome. It was the most tenacious I’ve seen him. He’s come on leaps and bounds and his safety was absolutely superb. He hardly missed a long ball. We had a horrible first session where the balls ran more unkindly than I’ve ever seen them in 20 years of playing snooker.
Q Were you pleased to hold yourself together? A I missed a couple of balls I wouldn’t usually miss, and normally I’m at my best under pressure. It was a bit extreme. But I’m usually 15-9 down not 15-9 up! I’ve worked so hard and when I really needed to I produced one of the best and most important breaks under pressure of my entire career. I took a horrible red on to start it across the table, dropping it in with enough place to cannon the red away from the black. It could have gone wrong and under the circumstances I wouldn’t have been surprised if I’d hit it full ball. I’m very proud of that performance. Especially that break in the last frame, it was massive.
Q Was it hard not to think at 15-9 that it was all over? A The flights had already been booked for my (4) children to come over from Dubai, so you can imagine how I would have felt if I had lost. I’d like to think that I’ve got a big heart but it certainly would have been broken if I had lost that match, I promise you. I’ve not seen the children for 6 weeks so it will be brilliant to see them anyway but I think I would have been a broken man.
Q Do you expect to play Graeme Dott in the final? A I’m just looking forward to it. You never know what’s going to happen in this game, my match proved that. I’m well prepared and I can relax and enjoy it. There will be a lot of pressure because we will both want to win really badly. It will be a tough battle. It could have all gone horribly wrong so I’m just pleased I’m there.
Q Did the first session and the reaction of the crowd affect you? A It was just a tough session for both of us. The way I played in the second session I would have been 11-5 or 10-6 up against a lot of players. That shows how tough he was to beat. I was thinking ‘I’m sure I played really well there and I’m only 9-7 up.’ The clearance that he made to go 9-7 was awesome. I was a bit unlucky to lose position but the blue that he knocked in during that clearance was unbelievable. I needed that like a hole in the head at the time. I’m proud for his father and his family because the performance he put up was incredible.
Q Are you surprised how well you have done here? A You can take my performances in beat-of-nines with a pinch of salt and this has been a tough season because we’ve not had a lot of match practice. But coming here and having a bit of experience, I didn’t think that the in-form players would necessarily be favourites because it’s an event in itself. I always like to get myself spot on for it and perhaps the players in form are under a bit more pressure because there’s more expectancy. I knew I had a very good chance and I’ve got stronger with every match. I don’t tend to do much press before the tournament, I’d rather let the media talk to the other players. If I slip through unnoticed and get to the final, that’s nice. I’m hitting the ball well and scoring heavily, my safety has been ok.
Q You could be favourite which you have not been in your two previous finals A The first time I played Stephen Hendry in 1996 I didn’t have enough experience and he didn’t have to play that well to beat me. The second time, I knew I had the experience and I believed in my heart that I would win no matter what he threw at me. And I actually believe that I’m a better player now.
Q The damage was done in the third session A The way Graeme played tonight, if I could have found another gear I still fancied my chances. At 16-8 I thought it was all over but when he came out and started missing ball after ball then you never know. I know what’s it’s like when you start missing because I’ve been there myself. But the damage was done in the first three sessions, I was pretty awful the whole match and I deserved to lose. I wouldn’t expect to win with that performance.
Q You started knocking balls in for fun tonight A You shouldn’t get too excited and say I was playing top quality snooker, anyone who knows anything about snooker knows that my cue ball control wasn’t the best. I must have had 3 or 4 chances in every frame. At this level you need to get in and make 70s and 80s and I wasn’t doing that. I needed to be winning frames in one visit to have a chance. He made me look good tonight but if he had played as he had done in the previous sessions I would have only won one frame tonight.
Q What did you pout your poor form down to? A Missed to many balls, never got in, didn’t make enough breaks. My safety was bad and my long ball potting was awful. That’s not to take anything away from Graeme because he beat me comfortably. I just wasn’t good enough. I am human being and I can’t just switch it on when I need it most.
Q It was a nice gesture when you gave your cue away to someone in the crowd A Well I need a new cue so I’m hoping John Parris has seen that. He’s got two pieces of wood which he reckons are good wood. I’ve been asking him for about two years so he’ll call me when he’s ready. But now I’ve got rid of that it’s saying ‘come on John get lively, I need a cue for the new season!’ It was something nice for the kid to have. I don’t know who he was, I just wanted to give it to a young lad. He’s come to the snooker to enjoy it so I thought it would be a nice gift.
Q How did the tip incident affect you? A I had about seven tips on in the week before coming here and another eight while I’ve been here. Thankfully the one I put on tonight ok. The one I put on yesterday wasn’t right which was unfortunate. I was tough out there tonight. I really enjoyed the game, I really enjoyed the tournament. 888.com put on a great show. We love coming to Sheffield and I’ll be back again.
Q Did you think after beating Williams that this was your tournament? A I’m experienced enough to know that you can only win one match at a time. I knew it would be hard and I wasn’t able to make any inroads. I’m sure it will be a great final between Peter and Graeme. I will be a tough battle and one that the viewers will really enjoy. I’ll be glued to it. They are both playing well. I came to this event feeling confident and I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to perform in this match. But it’s been a great experience, a great tournament. All of the players want to thanks 888.com and the Association has done a great job in getting them on board.
Интересная заметка про новоиспеченного чемпиона мира
DOTT TONIGHT.. EXCLUSIVE: FAMILY JOIN IN PARTY AFTER SCOT LIFTS SNOOKER'S TOP PRIZE Two-week nookie ban helps champ win title By Steven Ventura 3 May 2006
Glory boy Graeme Dott gave up sex to win the world snooker title.
And he believes his 15-day vow of chastity helped him hold his nerve as he took on Peter Ebdon in the final.
As he celebrated his £200,000 triumph last night, Graeme, 28, told how he left wife Elaine and 18-month-old son Lewis at home when he went to Sheffield for the World Championship.
His family joined him down south when he won through to the semi-final. But even then, he and Elaine decided to carry on sleeping in separate beds.
Graeme said: "It was great to see Elaine. But we agreed we wouldn't change my sleeping arrangements because it had been lucky until then.
"I was aware that spending time in the same bedroom as Lewis could disrupt my sleep. So I didn't want to take the chance, and it paid off."
Elaine, 29, added: "We decided we should stay apart until Graeme won, and that's what we did.
"Last night was the first we'd spent together in 15 days. We got a lovely little room and it was nice to get back together after so long."
Elaine said the tension of the final left everyone in Graeme's camp "drained".
She added:"My first words when I saw him afterwards were, 'Oh, my God. You've done it.'That was the only thing I could manage between the tears."
Elaine, a nursing student, said her husband's £200,000 winner's cheque was like "winning the lottery".
But she vowed that the cash would not change their "down-to-earth" lives.
She said: "We have a fortnight planned in Malta in July and that's about it.We don't go in for the high life."
Graeme and Elaine partied with family and friends last night at their local, Berries Hotel in Larkhall, Lanarkshire.
The hotel is owned by Graeme's fatherin- law and manager, Alex Lambie.
Graeme is teetotal, but Elaine said: "There are certain times in life where you can make an exception!
"He usually guzzles Irn-Bru but he couldn't get any at the Crucible. Maybe we'll fix that next year."
At one stage, Graeme led the final 15-7 and needed only three more frames.
But 2002 champ Ebdon battled back to close the gap to 16-14 and the Scot had to dig deep to win the two frames he needed for his first ever top-level title.
The closing stages were so tense that Graeme's dad John, 60, feared he might not see the end of the match.
He said: "I've got angina and I use an inhaler and I was puffing away like hell at one stage. I was thinking, 'This is the last thing I need'.
"Graeme had been in finals before and hadn't won any but this win proves forever that he's not a choker.
"If he never wins another match he'll always be able to say he was world champion. That makes me very proud."
Graeme's victory came after a tough few years for him and his family. He has battled back from pneumonia and pleurisy.
His mother-in-law May, 43, died suddenly during the world championships four years ago. And Graeme went to this year's contest knowing his father-in-law was fighting cancer.
Alex, 58, said: "Tears were shed by both of us after the final. We have come a long way together."
Elaine's sister, Pauline, said the whole of Larkhall was thrilled with Graeme's win. She added: "Graeme is very popular and has a lot of fans here. Everyone will want to wish him well."
Like many people in Larkhall, Graeme is a fanatical Rangers fan. And he has been invited to show off the World Championship trophy at Ibrox on Sunday when his heroes take on Hearts.
Graeme is thrilled by the honour. But he's hoping that tournament sponsors 888.com will let him take their green and white ribbons off the trophy.
Gers manager Alex McLeish was among the first to congratulate Graeme. He said: "I was glued to the TV all night. I hope Graeme makes it quicker next time, though, because he ruined my beauty sleep!"
Graeme said: "Going to Ibrox will be fantastic. I just hope the sponsors will remember to put red, white and blue ribbons on the trophy."
Despite Dott's Ibrox loyalties, one of his best pals in snooker is Celtic-daft former world champion John Higgins. And John was quick to phone and wish him well after his victory.
Graeme and John practise together at the Craigpark Masters snooker club in Dennistoun, Glasgow. Co-owner Linda Smith said: "Everybody is ecstatic here because Graeme is so well liked. He is a really nice, down-to-earth guy but he's also very determined.
"He's in here first thing in the morning until around 6pm. He has a lunch break, but apart from that it's head down and solid practice.
"John and Graeme have struck up a great friendship, even though they support different teams."
MAO
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Отправлено: 05.05.06 12:54. Заголовок: Re:
Adeli пишет:
цитата:
Интересная заметка про новоиспеченного чемпиона мира
Да, уж ... страсти, ну прям как при дворе Марии Стюарт
Сорри, МАО, в этой теме новости мы не обсуждаем, мы их тут только вывешиваем. Обсуждения в темах действующих лиц. Модырь Ри
Full 'Soccer Aid' teams announced капитан команды Робби Вильямс, один из участников команды - Ронни.. Ай как хоцца посмотреть на этот футбол!!!
shual007
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Отправлено: 17.05.06 13:08. Заголовок: Re:
Новости с Ворлдснукера
TOUR QUALIFICATION 17 May 2006 09:37:00 A notice on qualification for the 2007/08 Tour through National and International Governing Bodies.
World Snooker would like to clarify that the 96 professional snooker players on The World Professional Snooker Tour 2006/2007 will not be permitted to gain a place on the 2007/2008 Tour through any amateur qualifying events.
This will also apply to all WPBSA snooker members who are not playing on the 2006/2007 Tour. This policy will apply in all future seasons.
This information was sent to all our members yesterday and we have given them a deadline of Friday 16 June 2006 to resign their membership should they intend to compete in an amateur event to qualify onto the 2007/2008 Tour.
After this date the Official Ranking List containing all professional snooker members for the season will be re-issued and sent to all Governing Bodies.
Our tournament calendar for 2006/07 and the qualifying criteria for the 2007/2008 season will be available very soon.
Типа, опять викторина на Ворлдснукере..... Викторина
Для тех, у кого не открывается ссылка - текст CAPTION COMPETITION 22 May 2006 14:52:00
Competitions are back on worldsnooker.com...and the first of the summer is a caption competition. Tickets for next season's tournaments are up for grabs. Just like last year, the winners of our competitions will receive a pair of tickets to a tournament of their choice on the 2006/07 World Snooker Tour*.
For a chance to win this time, look at the picture and try to imagine what Joe Swail and Matthew Stevens are laughing about at the Crucible.
Your entry should be an amusing caption to the picture or a comment from the Outlaw or the Welsh Dragon.
The funniest entries will be published on worldsnooker.com with the best one to win the tickets!
E-mail your entry to competitions@worldsnooker.com putting 'Caption Competition' in the subject field, or send a postcard to: Caption Competition, World Snooker, 14-16 Great Portland St, London W1W 8QW
Don't forget to include your name, address and telephone number. Entries must be received by Friday, June 2.
Look out for more competitions on worldsnooker.com in the coming weeks.
* Tickets up to and including quarter-final stage of any tournament except the 888.com World Snooker Championship.
Santia
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Отправлено: 25.05.06 12:44. Заголовок: Re:
BOND IS GOLDEN OLDIE
22 May 2006 11:13:00 It might not have been as dramatic as his Crucible adventure, but Nigel Bond was delighted after winning the Seniors title at Prestatyn last week.
The Derbyshire player, who stunned Stephen Hendry 10-9 on a respotted black at Sheffield last month, was able to enter the seniors event for the first time having turned 40 last November.
And the 1995 world finalist defeated Ashley Phipps 3-1 to win the Pontin's Spring Masters trophy.
"It was a bit of fun and it's always nice to win a title," said Bond, who made a break of 73 in the final.
"A few of the lads, like Michael Holt and David Roe, were going to Pontin's for the Open so I thought I'd join them.
"I don't think I'd have gone had I lost to Stephen Hendry though," added the 1996 British Open champion whose dramatic win over the seven times champion was one of the Crucible highlights this year.
"I've actually been booked for a couple of exhibitions on the back of that win," said the father of two, beaten 13-9 by eventual champion Graeme Dott in the last 16.
World No 20 Bond also competed in the Pontin's Open but lost to up and coming Walsall youngster Mark Joyce in the last 64.
"Mark's a good player and has qualified for the Tour next season. It didn't help that I was giving him 18 start!
"Overall, I really enjoyed my time at Pontin's and I'll probably go back for the Autumn Festival."
Regional press awards - this story published 17.2.2001
Reward for championing hockey by HoldTheFrontPage staff
The sports editor of the North London Guardian group has been recognised for the importance he attaches to reporting hockey.
Ivan Hirschowitz has been complimented on the "use of his column inches" by the judging panel of a regional award.
The plaudit came when Ivan was awarded the Chris Moore Memorial Regional Hockey Writer of the Year Award.
He received a plaque and Ј250 cheque from David Welch, sports editor of the Daily Telegraph, which sponsored the award, at the Hockey Writers Club annual lunch in Soho.
The judges commented: "At a time when hockey has to compete in local papers with all manner of other sports, Ivan makes the best possible use of his column inches."
1: Ronnie's 147 in 1997 2: Davis v Taylor 1985 final frame 3: Jimmy White's 147 in 1992 4: White v Higgins 1982 penultimate frame 5: Cliff Thorburn's 147 break in 1983
Гран-При переезжает в Абердин.... GRAND PRIX MOVES TO ABERDEEN 01 Jun 2006 12:20:00
The Grand Prix, one of snooker’s major tournaments, will be staged in Aberdeen for the first time in October.
The World Snooker Tour ranking event will be held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre from October 21 to 29. A public sector partnership involving Event Scotland, Aberdeen City Council and the AECC has agreed an investment package of £80,000 and the provision of the AECC to secure the event for Scotland and Aberdeen.
The Grand Prix will receive extensive television coverage from BBC Sport. The top 32 players in the world will qualify automatically so world No 1 Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Ken Doherty, Steve Davis and Ding Junhui will be among those trying to wrestle the title from John Higgins’ grasp.
Graeme Dott, who beat Peter Ebdon in the Crucible final last month to win the 888.com World Snooker Championship, was present at today’s launch at the AECC and said: “Snooker is so popular in Scotland and we have produced a lot of great players, so it’s really important that there is a major tournament here and this is excellent news.”
World Snooker director Jim McMahon added: “We know that support for snooker is strong in Aberdeen and we look forward to enthusiastic support from local fans. We’re very pleased to be back in Scotland.”
Paul Bush, EventScotland’s Deputy Chief Executive, said: “Staging a major World Snooker Tour ranking event in Aberdeen is a real coup for the city and Scotland.
”The Grand Prix is one of snooker’s most prestigious tournaments and that is why we are delighted to invest £15,000 towards the cost of additional infrastructure and promotion of the event outside Scotland. The event is expected to attract an audience of millions through live television coverage and will provide further evidence of Scotland’s ability to successfully host major international sporting events.”
Louise Scott, Economic Promotion Manager of Aberdeen City Council, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming this prestigious tournament to Aberdeen and to be among the key partners.
“Hosting an event of this calibre gives us an unrivalled opportunity to showcase Aberdeen City and Shire as a great sporting centre as well as a great place to work and do business.”
Статья про тренера Дерека Хилла, который работал с многими известными игроками, в т.ч. с О'Салливаном, в начале его карьеры, а сейчас - с Доттом. Big Del's on top of the world Он кажись повыше Кукумбера будет?
SOCCER AID RAISES 2 MILLION 09 Jun 2006 10:40:00 Ronnie O'Sullivan, Robbie Williams, Diego Maradona and co raised a tremendous total of £2million for UNICEF through Soccer Aid. The week-long football event pitched an England squad of ex-pros and celebrities, including the Rocket, against a Rest of the World outfit.
O’Sullivan played in a warm-up game against ex-England internationals and survived the daily, gruelling training sessions under the watchful eye of ex England supreme Terry Venables.
But when the final teams clashed in front of 72,000 spectators at Old Trafford, the former world champion and world number one was missing.
A spokesman for the ITV programme explained O’Sullivan’s absence saying: "He came down with a really bad cold and had to withdraw on the Friday prior to the game.
"It was a real shame because Ronnie was looking really sharp. He played in the practice match at Craven Cottage and was really up for it.
Goals from former Newcastle and QPR striker Les Ferdinand plus actor, singer and presenter, Jonathan Wilkes, helped England to a 2-1 win over the Rest of the World. Argentine legend Maradona scored for the opposition.
The £2million total was more than double the target set. Funds went to UNICEF’s global health, education and protection work with vulnerable children.
shual007
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Во как!!! И эти хлопцы в пул играют.... SELBY AND FORD INTO QUARTER-FINALS 12 Jun 2006 11:33:00
Leicester cue all-rounders Mark Selby and Tom Ford are on course to meet in the final of pool's World 8-Ball Championship in Blackpool.
And with a third World Snooker Tour member through to the last eight of the ImproveYourPool.com £30,000 event at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, the pool specilaists haven't had things their own way.
The performances of Ford and Selby, plus twice former winner Chris Melling, have certainly sent waves of consternation around the 8-Ball fraternity.
They are through to the televised phase of the competition and closing in on a £10,000 first prize.
It's certainly been a remarkable performance from Ford, who had to pre qualify for the event at Great Yarmouth back in March.
He's now won a total of 10 matches in the competition and needs just three more victories to complete an astonishing journey of success.
And he rounded off a great first week by putting out former semi-finalist Steve Munro from Scotland.
Ford's 8-5 victory over the fifth seed followed on from a nailbiting 8-7 triumph against Frenchman Adam Benchiek in the first round proper.
Experienced Welshman Craig Reynolds was the next to fall as Ford progressed to the last 16 courtesy of an 8-2 win.
He will now play 1998 champion Carl Morris tomorrow (Tuesday) for a place in the penultimate round.
Selby didn't need to pre-qualify but he's already racked up six victories, including three on the final day before the tournament broke for the World Masters.
Selby's closest contest came against Scotland's three-times world junior champion, Darren Matthew.
But snooker's world No 28 scraped home 8-6 before defeating reigning European champion Oly Bale of Wales 8-5 in the last 32.
Selby, who reached the last 16 a couple of seasons ago, progressed to his first quarter-final at the expense of another qualifier, Morray Dolan.
And Selby brushed aside the man who had knocked out reigning world champ Gareth Potts, 8-3.
Standing between the former Scottish Open runner-up and the last four is Australia's last survivor, Ben Nunan. That match also takes place tomorrow.
Yorkshireman Melling, who regained his Tour card courtesy of a top eight finish on the PIOS rankings, took just 36 minutes to begin his campaign with an 8-1 triumph over Sanjay Patel of India.
And the No three seed wasn't troubled by England rival Clint I'Anson. His 8-3 victory sets-up a thrilling tie against 2004 winner Mick Hill-their first ever meeting before the television cameras.
На Ворлдснукере появились результаты опроса по теме *Спортсмен года* Им стал наш дорогой и любимый мистер Вкуснопахнущий Джонни Хиггинс HIGGINS IS YOUR PLAYER OF THE SEASON The Wizard of Wishaw polled 31% of votes in our competition. Higgins won the Grand Prix and the SAGA Insurance Masters last term and reached the final of the Malta Cup and the China Open.
Stephen Hendry, who regained the world No 1 position, came in second with 15%, followed by Australia’s Neil Roberton, who earned a place among the top 16, with 12%. Here’s the top ten of the players you voted for:
1. John Higgins 31% 2. Stephen Hendry 15% 3. Neil Robertson 12% 4. Graeme Dott 8% 5. Ken Doherty 5% 6. Ding Junhui 5% 7. Mark Williams 4% 8. Steve Davis 3% 9 Paul Hunter 3% 10 Jamie Cope 3%
You were asked to briefly explain your choice and the winning entry was from Chloe McCarthy from Great Notely in Essex who said:
It has to be John Higgins. He has been an amazing player this season, determined and consistently brilliant. I believe he has been an inspiration to all aspiring snooker players there is no doubt that he deserves this honour.
Chloe wins a pair of tickets to a choice of tournaments next season.
Here are a few more of your entries:
Without a doubt, my vote goes to John Higgins. He reached four major finals and won two of them - against the world No 1. He made a record four consecutive centuries and established the record of 494 points without reply! He proved to be a great competitor and showed no sign of nerves in that amazing clearance in the last frame of the Masters final. Ardavan Nazari, Tehran, Iran
John Higgins. Firstly, for winning two major events. Secondly, for two other major finals. Lastly, for his new blue suit and for being a nice guy! Michal Szczuka, Katowice, Poland
I think John Higgins was the 05/06 season’s outstanding snooker player. Thoughout the season he surprised me again and again. His play against O’Sullivan in the Grand Prix final was unsurpassed by any player in the season. Jens Lomholt Mortensen, Denmark
My player of the sesason is Stephen Hendry, who at 37 has regained the No 1 ranking when snooker is at its most compeitive.With hard work and dedication he has shown that he is still the man to beat. Karen Williams, Barry, Wales
I nominate Neil Robertson. He came very close in the world quarter-finals to beating Graeme Dott. I think Neil will be world champion by 2008. Despite being only 24 he shows a lot of talent and temperament. Everyone here in Melbourne and Australia wishes him great 2006/07 season. Mr Hilton Gaulbert, Melbourne, Australia
In my opinion, the best player of the season was Ken Doherty. He climbed nine places in the rankings – from 11th to second. And his incredible comeback in the final of the Malta Cup was really unbelievable. I’m glad that his good form is back. Dana Placha, Prague, Czech Republic
Graeme Dott deserves to win player of the season beacuse of his determination and the commtiment he has shown. To go to the Crucible and win it against the odds, having played the game’s best players, was remarkable. Paul McGilton, Liverpool
Ding Junhui. He has the composure of a master and yet is only just old enough to visit a pub! Has the confidence to dominate any player and Peter Ebdon refers to him as a genius. He has brought a new era to snooker in China, influencing the biggest population in the world. Paul Papamichael, London
Peter Ebdon. I love the way he played. He was so calm and determined under pressure. I enjoyed seeing him play with his heart in the deciding frame against Marco Fu at the Crucible and shedding tears with the last balls. He is mentally unbelievable. Ziyang Liu, China
My player of the season is Jamie ’Shotgun’ Cope. He hasn’t won anything yet, but what an exciting talent. Reaching a couple of quarter finals is great for his first season. Two words describe him: Different Class. Marcus Foster, Bristol
I choose Paul Hunter. Even though he won only one match this season, his determination and sportsmanship shown throughout the tournaments earns the utmost respect. At times he could not even stand solidly, but he kept playing and never gave up! Mr. Ching Wing Lok, Hong Kong
shual007
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Еще одно молодое дарование, которое будет в этом сезоне играть в мейн-туре, ученик Кена MORRIS AWARDED IRISH TROPHY
The 17-year-old from Kilkenny completed his hat-trick in the event last month with an 8-2 victory in the final over Brendan O’Donoghue.
The Irish title has been captured by many leading players, including Ken Doherty, but had never before been won three times in succession.
The Republic of Ireland Billiards and Snooker Association therefore invited Morris to their AGM to present him with the trophy.
Chairman Jim Leacy (pictured left) will sponsor a new cup, to be named in honour of his father who passed away recently.
Morris, who practises with Doherty, is set to make his debut on the World Snooker Tour in the coming season.
He signed off from amateur snooker in style by retaining the Irish under-18 title at the Ivy Rooms in Carlow, beating David Hogan in the final on Sunday.
The legendary rock star gave away the guitar he used on the Forty Licks reunion tour after being told about the event by friend Jimmy White.
Small, the 2002 LG Cup champion from Leith, was forced to give up snooker last year, having suffered from the painful spinal disease ankylosing spondylitis.
His benefit night, organised by Mike Leslie, will take place on August 5 at Edinburgh’s Grosvenor Hotel.
Stephen Hendry, Jimmy White, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Graeme Dott, John Parrott, Matthew Stevens and John Higgins are set to attend, as well as footballers such as Andy Goram and John Robertson. Goram, Kenny Dalglish and boxer Ricky Hatton have all provided items for the auction.
Small, 32, is thrilled at the efforts made. "I certainly didn’t expect a guitar owned by Ronnie Wood to be donated," the world No 12 told the Scotsman newspaper.
"It’s just unbelievable. Jimmy’s good friends with him so he went to him and he wanted to help so it’s just brilliant.
"The whole night seems to be coming together really well and Mike Leslie, the organiser, has done so much. It’s been like a full-time job for him these last six months or so.
"It’ll be great to see all the friends, family and people I used to play against there on the night. If it hadn’t been for this I would have had nothing."
Small has recently started a new course of treatment, involving a twice-weekly injection of liquid, which has reduced the amount of pain he suffers.
A limited number of tables are available for the benefit night
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Snooker: Victorious Williams is still short of motivation
Jun 24 2006
South Wales Echo
Mark Williams put in a fine display at the TCC pro am championships in Newport but admitted practising for the new season, which starts in August, does not motivate him anymore.
Double world champion Williams was guilty of losing his way in the earlier parts of last season through lack of tournament preparation table time and, at one stage, was in danger of dropping out of the elite top 16 on the world list.
And with youngsters snapping at his heels on the main professional tour, the Cardiff-based 31-year-old needed all his experience to pull himself out of the rut he was in last season and, after going down 13-11 to Ronnie O'Sullivan in the 888 world championships quarter-finals in April, he eventually finished in eighth position on the list.
Other players, like Stephen Hendry and O'Sullivan, are taking a break this summer.
But Williams stepped up to the table and progressed to an intriguing meeting with new Welsh amateur champion Jamie Jones, from Neath, in the TCC quarters next month. He beat Newport amateur Richard Price 4-0, with breaks of 50, 51, 96 and 72 and in that final frame, he was on the way to a 147 maximum before missing the 10th red.
Williams, though, has no intention of over exerting himself for the opening event of the season, the Northern Ireland trophy in Belfast, this August.
He said: 'I'm not practising at all. I'm not going to play much before the Northern Ireland Trophy.
'I can't be bothered - I'm still on summer break.'
As for 18-year-old Jones, who joins the professional tour later in the year, he showed just how he is going to unleash himself on the public by destroying local player Michael Griffiths 3-0 in his opening match, which included a 110 break.
Then he hammered Bristol 17-year-old Judd Trump, the youngest professional in big time snooker, 4-1, a performance which included breaks of 102 and 111.
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Snooker: 'Williams will be practising' Jul 1 2006 Richard Clifford, South Wales Echo Mark Williams is trying to take the pressure off himself before the start of the new snooker campaign by claiming he is not practising, believes Dominic Dale. But Dale, officially world ranked at 40 but who has climbed into the top 32 on the one-year list, knows that the double world champion will be getting his head down to practice hard before the opening tournament of the year, the Northern Ireland Trophy. Cardiff-based Williams, 31, said last week that he couldn't be bother to pick up a cue before the Belfast tournament. However, 1997 Grand Prix champion Dale said he is just playing mind games, adding: 'Knowing Mark the way I do, he had a couple of bad years and was worried he would not win a tournament. 'So, to take the pressure off, he says he's not practising and playing well. 'People think he's got a family now and not putting in the practice, but really he's trying hard. 'He can just go away and work on his game, so I think Mark will be better than last year.'
Dale looked rusty himself in losing to last year's Welsh amateur champion Andrew Pagett in the TCC Pro-Am Championships on Thursday. Pagett looked good in toughing out two scrappy frames to take him over the line 4-0 after firing in breaks of 47 and 104 in the opening exchanges. Pagett now plays Newbridge's former World Championship quarter-finalist Lee Walker who had Michael White, the 14-year-old Neath sensation who won the World Amateur Championships last February, stuck to his chair. Walker will be off the main tour for the first time in his career next year and hopes to regain his place on the secondary Challenge Tour. He beat White 4-0, coming from behind to win the first frame then giving the teenager no table time at all with decisive breaks of 89, a 120 clearance, the best of the event so far, and a 63.
The 2006/07 campaign begins with the Northern Ireland Trophy from August 13 to 20 at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast. The ticket box office opened today so now is your chance to book your seats.
Tickets for the semi-final and final are currently available and tickets for the earlier rounds will be available from July 14. For more details call the box office on 02890 334455.
Swail enjoyed some impressive results last season, including a run to the quarter-finals of the China Open. He climbed ten places in the official rankings to No 30 and starts the new season in 13th place on the provisional list.
“I’m in a good position and I’ve got a great chance of the top 16,” said the 36-year-old, a World Championship semi-finalist in 2000 and 2001. “Obviously I want to get off to a good start in the Northern Ireland Trophy.
“My form has been up and down over the years and it’s frustrating that I haven’t been able to find a consistent level. But I’m still here and battling away.”
The player nicknamed the Outlaw is delighted that the event has returned to the Waterfront Hall after last year’s inaugural staging.
“It’s a great honour for Belfast to be hosting this tournament,” Swail added. “The public here love snooker and they have supported it for many years, so it’s nice that the top players can give them something back.
“It’s a ranking tournament for the first time now so that will make a big difference as there is a lot more to play for. Last year there was a very relaxed atmosphere among the players at the event but this time it will be more serious. Most of the players will be putting away their golf clubs about now and getting down to practice!
Swail beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 4-2 at last year’s tournament. “That was a great night, there were about 1300 people there,” he said. “The Waterfront Hall is only about a quarter of a mile from where I was born so it’s a really special event for me and I can’t wait for it to start.”
The world’s top 32 players plus 16 qualifiers will compete in the Northern Ireland Trophy, including the likes of O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Ken Doherty, John Higgins, Steve Davis and world champion Graeme Dott.
The three-times Masters champ, who is battling against cancer, took part in the annual snooker event that in the past has been attended by Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis and Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Over 200 youngsters come together over a four week period to play down to the final two players in each group.
Hunter attended the finals where he made breaks of 100 and 120 on his way to defeating all the winners of the junior competitions.
He also took part in the inaugural NLTG Challenge Trophy against Accrington based professional Chris Norbury.
Norbury, who has recently had his sponsorship extended by NLTG to cover the coming season, won his first competition, the NLTG Junior Championship, as a 12-year-old.
To complete a successful night for Yorkshireman Hunter, he then defeated another Lancashire cueman, Colin Morton, in a one frame challenge.
The annual event, also attended by Hunter in 2005, is organised in aid of Accrington based charity Maundy Relief.
Jim Harkness, NLTG's managing director, said: "The team at NLTG worked tremendosuly hard throughout the heats and on the finals night itself.
"It's all worthwhile when you see the smiles on the faces of the youngsters and watching snooker fans having the opportunity to see a true professional and a very nice person in Paul Hunter."
Top snooker players make a go for the Norwegian 9-ball title
Famous snooker players as Tony Drago and Ronnie O`Sullivan have registered for the first Norwegian 9-ball Challenge.
Tony "The Tornado" Drago is already wellknown in the world of 9-ball after winning the World Pool Master in 2003. Ronnie "The Rocket" O`Sullivan has won the World Snooker Championship both in 2001 and 2004, and is also a member of the prestigious International Pool Tour.
Tony Drago, who once won a snookerframe in less than 2 minutes, is known as one of the fastest and most entertaining poolplayers, and is always attracting a lot of spectators for his matches. So is Ronnie O`Sullivan, who has the world record in the fastest 147-break in the history of snooker.
The Norwegian 9-ball Challenge will be organized in Oslo at ElbowRoom, from the 12th to the 15th of July, with 15,000 EURO in first price if a full field of 256 players. The playing mode will be either 16 or 32 groups, race to 5, alternate break. In the KO stages (last 64) it will be race to 9, alternate break.
Snooker star Paul pulls out of topping-out ceremony
BATLEY'S snooker star Paul Hunter had to pull out of the topping-out ceremony at a new Leeds hospital wing as he continues his battle against cancer. Paul was invited as special guest to the ceremony which marked the completion of external work on a new oncology ward at St James's Hospital. But ill health on the day meant he was forced to pull out. Paul's agent Brandon Parker said the 27-year-old had just had an 'off day' with stomach cramps, but in general he is bearing up well. The three-times Masters Champion lives with wife Lindsey and six-month-old baby Evie Rose in Upper Batley. He is in the middle of a second course of chemotherapy treatment for neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), a rare form of cancer. He has been undergoing treatment at St James's and was due to perform the special ceremony at the hospital and put his signature on a dedicated steel girder. Work on the new hospital wing is set for completion in December next year and will provide 300 in-patient beds for cancer sufferers and 100 beds for day cases. Paul is waiting to hear if his bid to have his world ranking frozen for a year has been successful.
Однако же, шкандальчег разразися инсайд оф зэ ДаблъюПиБиЭсЭй.. Некоторые мемберы недоволны тем, что мистер Клайв Эвертоп с воем журнальчеге иногда выставляет ворлдснукер в невыгодном свете, и пишут письма аторитям.. среди пишуших письма был замечен Петька и Тони Мурфий.. подробнее читать в сканах: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Riba
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[url=http://icdumfries.icnetwork.co.uk/dumfriesgalloway/tm_objectid=17385677&method=full&siteid=77296&headline=centre-venue-for-tv-event-name_page.html]Centre venue for TV event[/url] Статья о Премьер-Лиге
И короткое сообщение с BBC Sport
Celebrity Pot Black
Celebrity Pot Black should be one of the highlights of Sport Relief Saturday.
Two of the biggest names in snooker will be pairing up with two top celebrities and battling it out on the baize.
'Rocket' Ronnie O'Sullivan is teaming up with the 'Pocket Rocket' comedian Bradley Walsh.
And Steve 'Interesting' Davis joins up with Vernon 'Special' Kay for a match that will have all snooker fans salivating.
Dermot O'Leary and John Parrot take up the hosting duties.
The rules are simple - it's one frame and our players and celebrities must take shots in turns - the celebrities score double points for every ball they pot.
We will also see behind-the-scenes footage of our professionals putting their partners through their paces in the build up to the big game.
Make sure your watching on July 15th on BBC Two to find out who wins.
Riba
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Snooker: Day prepares to push for place in world's top 16 Jul 15 2006
Anthony Woolford, South Wales Echo
Ryan Day is hungry to achieve huge goals in the next professional snooker season after missing out on one of them by the narrowest of margins last term.
The Pontycymmer ace occupies the position nobody wants: 17th on the world ranking list, one agonising place short of snooker's elite top 16.
It may, though, be a blessing in disguise as former Benson and Hedges Championships winner Day, who is due to become a father for the first time next month, is eager to do some damage through the rest of the year and into next.
He said: 'I want to win a tournament and get into the top 16. It's taken a while to bring my game through to here and this will be my breakthrough year, hopefully.
'I was confident last year and hopefully I can take the positives into this year.'
Missing out on that place also means Day will have to endure the long journeys for one more year up to Prestatyn for ranking tournament qualifiers.
But he will have company there in the shape of other Welshmen like former Penarth resident Dominic Dale and two new men on the main tour this year in Neath's teenage ace Jamie Jones and Newport's former world amateur champion Ian Preece.
Preece and Day have practised together a lot over the past few months so it was ironic they met at the TCC Pro-Am in Newport on Thursday night where Day suffered a surprise 4-2 loss.
Meanwhile, Fleur-de-Lys' former world number eight Darren Morgan beat this year's tournament best break of 120, not once but twice. Morgan came from 2-1 down to beat Newport's Andrew Rogers 4-2 and, in doing so, smashed home clearances of 122 and 125.
Leeds today Cancer treatment leaves Paul too ill for school date Exclusive BY DEBBIE LEIGH SNOOKER ace Paul Hunter's battle with cancer has again left him too ill to attend an event close to his heart. The 27-year-old was due to present the annual sports trophies to youngsters at his former school – Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Primary, in Moortown, Leeds, yesterday. His wife Lindsey, who stepped in with baby daughter Evie to present the awards instead, told the YEP he was "upset" he couldn't make it but was so poorly he "couldn't get off the sofa". She said: "He had a seven-week break from chemo and was feeling okay and arranged to do this. "He started back on it two weeks ago. Until 11am he still wanted to come and he was quite upset that he couldn't. "If anything I forced him to stay because he couldn't get off the sofa really." The three-times Masters champion, who grew up in Moortown but now lives in Upper Batley, is currently undergoing treatment for neuroendocrine tumours (Nets) – a rare form of cancer. This was the second appearance he had been forced to pull out of in the last three weeks because of feeling unwell. He missed the topping-out ceremony of the new oncology wing at St James's Hospital, Leeds, at the end of June. His agent Brandon Parker had told the YEP he had simply had an off day. But Lindsey said these were now the majority for Paul – on his second course of chemotherapy which is expected to continue until September. She said: "Most days he doesn't feel that great". "With chemo he goes in (to hospital) for the day and comes home and he's taking chemo tablets every day so he doesn't really have a let-up." Lindsey, accompanied by Paul's cousin Tony Roberts, said being at the awards ceremony without her husband and hearing all the support for him "put a lump in my throat". She and six-and-a-half-month-old Evie presented Nathan Ashcroft, 11, with the Paul Hunter Trophy for Sports Boy of the Year, and Molly Flynn, also 11, with the Paul Hunter Trophy for Sports Girl of the Year. The two magnificent pieces of silverware were won by Paul, who gave them to the school around nine years ago when the awards began. He presented them every year until last year, when chemotherapy left him too ill. With the snooker season about to start, Hunter is still awaiting a decision on a request to have his world ranking frozen for a year so that he won't be penalised for missing tournaments. Lindsey said: "If they don't freeze it and he does end up at the bottom he will do his hardest to come back and play. "It will be lovely if they do give him a year off so he can hopefully get better. "If he has to play he will have to see how he feels on the day. He can't get off the sofa, so to play even one frame of snooker would be hard." Although baby Evie stole the show at the awards, pupils were also delighted to meet Leeds Rhinos skipper Kevin Sinfield and team-mate Willie Poching. They presented youngsters with certificates and trophies, including the rugby league team – which won every tournament over the last year. debbie.leigh@ypn.co.uk 18 July 2006 PRESENTED: Pupils Molly Flynn and Nathan Ashcroft got their awards from Paul Hunter's wife Lindsey and his daughter Evie. PICTURE: STEVE RIDING
Snooker star arrested on drugs charges 20 July 2006, 19:49
The snooker star Stephen Lee, who's from Wiltshire, has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply drugs.
Speaking exclusively to ITV West he says he's innocent - and claims it's all a misunderstanding by the police.
Lee, who's ranked number ten in the world, was arrested after officers raided a house in Trowbridge. He's now been released on bail.
таки похоже действительно что-то было...
Riba
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Steve Davies helps em- for charity 21 July, 2006
Snooker champion Steve Davies has helped em- raise £30,000 for charity.
Steve joined other celebrities, including Sky Sports presenter Diane Stewart, European Golf Tour winner Richard Boxall and Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling, to battle it out on Buckinghamshire golf course for the em-invitational 2006 in association with GMAC-RFC to raise funds for four selected charities.
This year’s event has raised £30,000, which is to be split between the selected charities: Cancer Research UK, Treloar’s, MND Association and Habitat for Humanity.
As well as golf orientated competitions, the event - organised by the charity arm of em- in association with GMAC-RFC - also included a charity auction where Steve kindly donated a signed snooker cue. Local students from the Uxbridge College Health and Beauty School also gave massages for donations.
Stuart Brumhill, head of marketing at em-, commented: "It was great to see Steve Davis swap his cue for a club all in the name of charity and we are delighted that we have managed to raise such a phenomenal amount for charity. This is all thanks to the fantastic support we have received, not only from the high profile celebrities but also all the lenders and brokers who attended.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors from all of us at em- especially our title sponsor GMAC-RFC. We have already received a lot of feedback and it seems that the event was enjoyed by all, so we are now looking forward to 2007."
Hunter to be granted time off without loss of status
Clive Everton Tuesday July 25, 2006 The Guardian
Paul Hunter, the three-times Masters champion, is expecting to miss the whole of the coming season while he continues to receive treatment for the tumours with which he was diagnosed in March last year. Weakened by extensive chemotherapy and in constant pain, the 27-year-old Yorkshireman won only one match last season as his ranking fell from No5 to No34 but is now expecting that ranking to be frozen following an EGM of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association in Sheffield yesterday. It agreed to the constitutional change allowing for rankings to be fixed in cases of long-term illness or injury. It is now expected that tomorrow's WPBSA board meeting will grant Hunter the medical exemption within its powers so that he can withdraw from the qualifying competition for the Northern Ireland Trophy, which begins on Saturday, without jeopardising his ranking.
Riba
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The Times July 25, 2006
Snooker: Players give Hunter time out to help his recovery By Phil Yates
PAUL HUNTER, a three-times Masters champion and one of the sport’s highest-profile figures, has been given the opportunity of a year’s sabbatical from competition as his battle with cancer continues. At a swiftly arranged extraordinary general meeting of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), the sport’s governing body, in Sheffield yesterday, Hunter’s fellow players voted 19-5 in favour of a resolution that will allow his world ranking, No 34, to be frozen for the duration of the forthcoming season.
Unlike other individual professional sports, such as golf and tennis, snooker had no form of medical exemption until the vote, which required 75 per cent to be in favour, cleared the way for the association’s constitution to be amended.
With immediate effect, the WPBSA board of directors possesses the power to grant dispensations to players incapacitated by severe illness or injury. Hunter must officially request his release, but its granting is viewed as a formality.
Before the meeting, Hunter, 27, said: “Now it’s time to take action, time to say, ‘Can I take a year out and get myself better?’ I think they will say yes.” The only surprise from the secret ballot conducted at the English Institute of Sport was that five voters were in opposition. Hunter is popular and many top players have lobbied the WPBSA on his behalf.
Hunter revealed that he was suffering from neuro-endocrine tumours on the inner lining of his stomach in April last year. A month later, he finished the season at No 5 in the world rankings but returned from the tour’s traditional summer break looking drawn and weak from the combined effects of his condition and the chemotherapy aimed at beating it.
Low on stamina, robbed of vital feeling in his hands by the treatment and often in pain, Hunter won only one match in last season’s six ranking tournaments. Even though he was clearly struggling, the Yorkshireman even travelled to Malta and China in a vain attempt to collect points.
It soon became clear that Hunter would be relegated from the elite top 16 after an unbroken seven-year membership and his first-round defeat in the 888.com World Championship at the Crucible in April meant that he ended last season at No 34.
Hunter’s health remains a concern and, had it not been for yesterday’s vote, he could have slipped out of the top 64 in the rankings and, as a consequence, surrendered his place on the tour. However, Hunter will now be able to concentrate fully on recovery rather than have the distraction of practice and the frustration of being forced to compete.
As a precautionary measure, Hunter entered the season-opening Northern Ireland Trophy, but he will now be absent from the qualifying competition in Prestatyn this weekend.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has cleared his first hurdle in the North American Open 8-Ball Championship, the richest pool event in history, at the Venetian Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas. O’Sullivan won two of his four matches and advanced to the next round-robin phase.
The Northern Ireland teenager, an 18-handicap player, was competing in the Peter Ebdon's Golf Classic at the Conning Tree Golf club in Northampton.
Allen, the former world amateur champion, scored his ace at the 140 yard, par three 15th.
But his team, which included World Snooker Academy directors Garry Baldrey and Keith Warren plus World Snooker tournament director Martin Clark, had to be content with second place despite amassing 92 points.
Ebdon's four ball were in mid-table from an entry of 40. The Classic raised £17,000 for the Sparks charity.
Former world champion Ebdon, meanwhile, has bred his first winner in horse racing. Two-year-old Sesmen came home at 20-1 in a 7 furlong dash on Kempton's all weather track.
This follows Tuesday’s announcement of a change to the WPBSA’s constitution which gives the board the capacity to freeze the ranking of a player suffering from an illness or injury that will incapacitate him for a whole season.
Hunter, the three times Masters champion from Leeds, was diagnosed last year with neuroendocrine tumours, a rare form of cancer. He intends to focus fully on his treatment over the coming months.
The 27-year-old finished last season at No 34 on the official ranking list. He will have the option to rejoin the list at the same position at the start of the 2007/08 season with the 6,800 points he earned in the 2005/06 campaign.
Hunter’s withdrawal has created an extra place on the World Snooker Tour, which has been awarded to Patrick Einsle, a promising 19-year-old from Germany who reached the semi-finals of the 2006 European Under-19 Championship.
Einsle has been entered into the qualifying rounds of the Northern Ireland Trophy, the first ranking event of the season, and will play Kidderminster’s Lee Page in his professional debut at Prestatyn on Saturday.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is happy and he isn't sure exactly why. It could be the Nevada sunshine, though he hasn't seen much of that in the past three days, playing eight-ball pool from 10 o'clock in the morning to 10 o'clock at night, stuck inside The Venetian, a windowless self- contained town that calls itself a hotel in this bit of Las Vegas. It could be the thrill of learning a newish sport, though it didn't seem to be thrilling him too much on Tuesday when, frustrated at some pretty miserable play, he broke his cue over his knee in anger.
It could be the chance to get away from the UK for a bit, away from the recognition, the pressure, the expectation that comes with being the best at a sport that people still care about despite itself. But actually he thrives off that, he says. And anyway, he misses his girlfriend Jo and their five-month-old child Lily too much to be really enjoying the break. Maybe, ironically in a town that celebrates fakery and escapism so joyously, the real reason Ronnie is happy here is that Ronnie feels he is able to just be Ronnie. "I'm not allowed to be that person back home," he said, sipping a bottle of iced water beside The Venetian's fourth-floor swimming pool on Friday, after failing to get through to the last 36 of the world's richest eight-ball event, the $2m (Ј1.1m) IPT North American Open, and taking home a mere $10,000. "When I broke the cue over my knee I thought I'd be in trouble. I thought, 'They don't need me coming over here and giving them bad press.'
But Jon [Denny, the executive director of the American pool tour] just said, 'Hey, we want Ronnie to be Ronnie. Dude, if you want to snap the cue on your knee just go ahead. It looks great on TV.' Normally I'm not allowed to be like this."
The cue was borrowed anyway - O'Sullivan hasn't bought one for himself yet because he says he doesn't know a good one from a bad one. He hadn't even played eight-ball pool until a week before this tournament.
So how did he end up here? "I was reading a snooker magazine - I'll read everything about snooker: clubs, juniors, leagues - and right at the back of the magazine is this advert about a million-dollar tournament. I thought they must be having a laugh but I rang them up. I said, 'I'm Ronnie O'Sullivan. Could I please speak to Kevin Trudeau [whose $14m is paying the prize money and bills for this first year of the tour] about the pool.' He rang back about five minutes later, we talked, boom, boom boom, and here I am."
So is he thoroughly sick of snooker and about to defect? "No. I've been telling people for 13 years that I'm sick of snooker but people still keep thinking that me saying it is interesting. The thing with me is that when I'm up it's obvious and when I'm down it's obvious. But that's just the way I am. Snooker is the guv'nor, the king of cue sports."
But can it really be a buzz to be a born-again journeyman, to go from top dog to enthusiastic puppy, back in L plates, learning his trade again, among the middle-rankers of a sport that has, up to now, clung to the small-time, smoke-and-grime feel that snooker has spent 30 years trying to scrub off its fingernails?
"It's not about winning for me, I get the buzz being out there knowing that I'm entertaining people. I don't need the cash, I invested my snooker money well, I have a nice portfolio of property. But I need the buzz. I started feeling it again here the other night when I got knocked out, I started feeling, 'This is my arena.' Like Alex Higgins, when he walked into a room, you couldn't take your eyes off him. I felt like that on Thursday. There was an atmosphere in the room, an air of danger."
And, he's too loyal to say it, the only danger in a snooker tournament nowadays is that you might catch something from all that coughing. He loves it, but sometimes, like a family, it drives you mad.
O'Sullivan doesn't want to talk about his mum and dad. Every single one of the people around him and around the IPT make it clear that I am not expected to talk about them. And it wasn't my intention to. But it's impossible to understand why he might feed off that sort of dark electricity without thinking about his dad's Soho sex shop business, the murder that put him in jail and the tax-evasion charges that put his mum inside, too. It can't have been a childhood without its share of shadows.
And under O'Sullivan's very real contentment there's still a granite-hard street kid egging Ronnie on. While we were chatting in the cafe of the well-appointed spa, sipping banana smoothies among women in white gowns, a couple of drunken American college boys came and sat down at the table next to us, to join a couple of girls. It got noisy. Ronnie, quietly, asked if we could go somewhere else where we could hear ourselves talk.
One of the idiot college kids heard him and said something along the lines of "Eat your food or get the hell out of here" to Ronnie and me. I pretended not to hear him because I'm a thoroughly middle-class wimpy grammar-school boy who has never started a fight in his life. O'Sullivan, however, isn't. As we left, Ronnie lurched towards the college kid but didn't actually touch him. The kid shouted abuse as we moved away. Ronnie shouted some back. We walked away. Nothing happened really but, two minutes later, Ronnie was angry at himself for even thinking about getting into a situation.
Despite not talking about his mum and dad, family does obviously mean a lot to O'Sullivan. He is, after all, a dad himself now and he thinks that his daughter and girlfriend's influence have changed the way he approaches life and sport. "I'm the first to admit I was the most selfish man on earth, totally with the blinkers on. Nothing would ever have got in the way of work. I wanted to be tops, don't even talk to me about slowing down. At first after Lily was born I tried to carry on like that and I soon found out that it didn't work. Now I try to be there whenever I can, not be out at my mates' house drinking cups of tea. Now I just have to look at Lily's photo and I crumble."
All of which makes you wonder why he doesn't just pack it all in and build the house in the country with the swimming pool, horses and tennis court that he has already promised himself on Lily's behalf. In the end maybe it's all about being the best at something for even longer, keeping the buzz going as best he can despite being pulled in other directions as well.
"I've got maybe another five or six years at the top in snooker. But the guy to beat here is Efren Reyes and he's 51. You aren't going to have 51-year-olds as the guys to beat in snooker. I can have a longer career here if this ITP tour succeeds. But I won't be playing pool in minor tournaments over here if it doesn't."
And when O'Sullivan talks about what he has to learn to get better at pool you can see the passion he has for the sport, hands waving, words spilling out, you can see the kick that not being the best has given him. "I phoned Jo up on Thursday and I told her that I lost. She said that I sounded happy. She knows what I'm like when I've come home from tournaments having lost. I said I was happy, because I thought I was starting to get to grips with the game.
"I told her I'd got that old fire back, that I could feel the warrior back in me. It's what I miss. Two days ago I thought it would take me two years to conquer this sport. Now I think I can do it in six months."
Stars of the snooker world are to appear at the Hawth on September 28 as part of the Betfred Premier League Snooker Tournament 2006. World No.11 Steve Davis will take on China's Ding Jun-Hui and fan's favourite Jimmy White will play World No.2 Ken Doherty. Also taking part in the league format competition are the world's number one and three ranked players, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan. Graeme Dott completes the league. The event is to be sponsored by the Crawley Observer and matches are set to start at 7.30pm Full story in the Crawley Observer
www.crawleytoday.co.uk 02 August 2006
Riba
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Отправлено: 02.08.06 20:52. Заголовок: Re:
Snooker star in the clear after drugs probe By Craig Evry
Stephen Lee
POLICE have dropped the case against snooker star Stephen Lee, who was being investigated on suspicion of conspiracy to supply drugs.
Lee, 31, was arrested after a police swoop on his home in Albany Close, Trowbridge, earlier this year.
Lee was interviewed and bailed so inquiries could continue, but the world number 10 was informed by letter that police would be taking no further action at this time. A spokesman for Wiltshire Police confirmed the letter had been sent and the case had been dropped.
continued... 1:05pm today
shual007
Леди Йага
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Отправлено: 04.08.06 15:06. Заголовок: Re:
Новости с Ворлдснукера....
AT THE WATERFRONT 04 Aug 2006 10:48:00
Ken Doherty and Joe Swail were at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast on Thursday to promote the Northern Ireland Trophy.
The first ranking tournament of the new season gets underway in just nine days time. World No 2 Doherty and local favourite Swail will be joined by the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, Graeme Dott and Steve Davis for the first ranking event ever to be staged in Northern Ireland.
The new season brings a fresh start for Doherty; the Dubliner has a new house, new practice base and a new dog.
But he has the same old smile and infectious laugh that makes him such a popular player with his fellow professionals and snooker watchers.
Mention though last season’s 888.com World Snooker Championship and the grin briefly leaves his face.
"That was a real disappointment after the season that had gone before it," agrees the reigning Malta Cup champion.
"After beating Matthew Stevens in the second round I thought I had a really good chance.
"But even though Marco Fu played well to beat me in the quarters, it was a lost opportunity to get my title back," agreed the 1997 champion.
"But I’ll be back next year and I hope before I retire I will win at least one more world title."
Doherty’s form last term, including his success over John Higgins in the Mediterranean, helped him rise to second in the world rankings.
On the one year list he’s at the top looking down on everyone else.
But the 36-year-old from Ranelagh won’t be resting on his laurels. Indeed, he’s got plenty of goals for the new campaign, starting with the Northern Ireland Trophy which runs from August 13 to 20.
"The world championship is the big one but I’d also like to get to number one as I’ve never been there before. "Basically, though I just want to go out there and enjoy it and win as many trophies as I can along the way."
Doherty has kept busy since his Crucible exit last April, including appearances in the Pontin’s Pro-Am events at Prestatyn, North Wales.
He’s also been on holiday to India, played some golf in Spain and flies out to Sweden shortly for another Pro-Am golf event.
Most of his practice has been done at his new base at the Radisson Hotel in the Stillorgan district of Dublin.
"They’ve put a new snooker room in there for me and it’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s called Jason’s snooker room.
"The guy who used to own the old club, owns the hotel as well and he’s set everything up for me.
"It’s a new chapter in my life. I moved into a new house last February but only got chance to finish it off over the summer.
"And my wife Sarah and I bought this new dog. It’s a King Charles Cavalier spaniel called Toffee. I wanted to call it Marty because it’s got funny Marty Feldman type eyes. But she wasn’t too keen."
Статья сопровождается морем фоток микроскопических размеров , фотки кладу в *Фотоальбом*
09 August 2006 Belfast may be the first port of call for the world's best snooker players next week but it was Carrick that was uppermost in the thoughts of Ken Doherty.
No, not that one, the one that has been occupying the thoughts of most Manchester United fans in recent times - Michael.
At number two he in occupying the loftiest perch he has held in snooker's world rankings you get the feeling that he's been even happier pulling on a pair of boots and swapping the green baize for the lush green turf of Old Trafford.
He certainly talks a good game. Well, several games, to be precise. Snooker, soccer, even gaelic football, the Dub can wax lyrical about happy times spent at the Crucible, the Stretford End or on Hill 16.
He deals with questions on the merits of Sir Alex Ferguson's latest expensive dip of the toe into the transfer pool as assuredly as the graceful ease with which he glides around the snooker table.
In his prime there is no better sight than Doherty's break-building. Silky-smooth, unflustered and making the game seem ridiculously easy, he is nearing that prime again.
This season will mark the 10th anniversary of his World Championship success at the Crucible. He still pinches himself to this day, especially fulfilling a boyhood dream by parading the trophy in front of the faithful at Old Trafford.
Despite that success he has never been No.1 in the world, but he holds that position provisionally ahead of Sunday's season opener, the Northern Ireland Trophy.
In Belfast last week to help promote the first ranking tournament of the season, he couldn't exactly be described as a bundle of nerves, as ice cool as the iceberg lettuce in the sandwich he chomped down as he discussed the merits of snooker, and more importantly, United's new signing.
"It's a bit of a strange one, isn't it, considering he was only about three million a couple of years ago," he said. "I would say it was a very inflated price for a guy who couldn't even get into the England team. Is he Roy Keane? I don't think so.
"I think that's the problem. There's not enough players out there. I don't know why he (Ferguson) didn't go to Europe to look for a player he might have got a lot cheaper. But he must see something in him. He was always good. I remember watching him playing for West Ham years ago when he and Joe Cole were only kids, and he was up and coming then.
"I think Ferguson is fantastic. He sees something in him and you can't question someone like Ferguson's judgement. How can you? He's brought so much success to the club and signed so many good players and brought so many through the ranks, so who are we to question him?"
Oh yes, the snooker.
Malta wouldn't strike most people as a snooker hotbed. It's certainly hot, but for Doherty his epic win over John Higgins in the Malta Open ignited his season and started his rapid rise up the rankings.
"I had a very consistent year last year but the win in Malta was the pivotal point for me," he explained. "This time last year I was struggling to stay in the top 16 and that was my priority because if I'd had to go back to doing those qualifiers I'd have ended up in the psychiatric unit of the CFH in Dublin!
"I turned my whole season around, and my game around. It's about confidence, I won a few games, got a bit more consistency and Malta was the turning point."
While he nibbled contentedly at his sarnie there is obviously something still gnawing away at him - his early exit from the World Championships.
"I was disappointed because I thought I had a really good chance to win the World Championships," he confessed. "There was nobody there who I feared, and I know Marco Fu played well, but I didn't reach the heights I could have.
"But if you look at the season as a whole, I got up to No.2, provisionally at No.1, and had I beaten Marco I would have been No.1. I'm doing okay though, I'm looking forward to this season and I'm in a lot better position than I was."
The ideal scenario for the new season then is simple.
"United win the Champions' League, I win the World Championship and Dublin win the All-Ireland," he laughed.
"Dublin still have a chance and I'll be at Croker to watch them.
"I won't be on the hill though. The last time I was there I nearly got squashed and it was a running battle, so I'll have the comforts of the Paddy Power corporate box."
Whether he will be in the boxseat come next Sunday and the end of the season remains to be seen.
Riba
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Отправлено: 10.08.06 11:35. Заголовок: Re:
ARNIE WELCOMES SNOOKER TO USA 07 Aug 2006 10:31:00
Hollywood film star and Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger has sent a message of welcome to competitors in the IBSF World Snooker Team Championship, which starts next week.
The event will be staged in San Jose from August 16-26 and is the first major international snooker tournament to be held in the USA.
Schwarzenegger, the former Mr Universe and star of films such as Conan the Barbarian, Terminator and Raw Deal, released a statement to say:
"I am pleased to offer warm greetings to the participants and supporters of the World Snooker Team Championship. This event brings together accomplished snooker players to compete in the beautiful city of San Jose.
"This year's contenders have demonstrated a serious commitment to achieving excellence in their sport. As a former professional athlete, I can appreciate the perseverence and dedication required to be successful in competitions.
"I would also like to commend the organsiers and sponsors of this event for their hard work and dedication. Please accept my best wishes for a wonderful event and every future success."
To be held at the Gateway Ballroom, the tournament will comprise an initial group phase with the leading teams going through to the quarter-finals.
The England team of David Lilley, Michael Rhodes and David Craggs is in Group A alongside Hong Kong, India, UAE, Sweden, the Isle of Man and two American teams. Former world amateur champion Pankaj Advani features in the Indian team while UAE include Main Tour pro Mohammed Shehab.
Thailand look to be the favourites in Group B with a team of Atthasit Mahitthi, Kobkit Palajin and Phaithoon Phonbun. They are up against Japan, South Africa, India B, USA C, Australia, an International team and the Scotland outfit of Bobby Cruickshanks, Alan Hall and David Qadir.
Riba
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Отправлено: 10.08.06 11:42. Заголовок: Re:
WORLD SNOOKER LAUNCHES NEW CORPORATE IDENTITY 10 Aug 2006 09:28:00
World Snooker has a new look for a new era.
The change has been prompted by the desire to have a consistent brand, as World Snooker has, in recent times, used a variety of different marks.
With the expansion of the sport into new territories we are keen to create one cohesive design that will become instantly recognisable and synonymous with the World governing body.
The other key factor in the evolution of the brand was the establishment of World Snooker’s state of the art Academy, which opened its doors on July 1st and which will be officially opened on September 13th.
The logo keeps the central theme of a globe and a snooker ball but the typography and colour have evolved to a stronger position. In addition, the move to using one of the sport’s key colours, red, is designed to draw an instant affiliation with the game.
Fittingly with the growth of the sport in China, red and black mean prosperity and stability, two traits that World Snooker hope characterise the sport going forward, and which are particularly prevalent on the Academy logo.
11 August 2006 He may no longer figure on the ranking circuit but one man will always remain synonymous with snooker in this part of the world.
Alex Higgins was not just the fans' favourite though, his well-versed misdemeanours over the years adding even more colour to a kaleidoscopic character.
And two of his biggest fans will be competing at the Waterfront Hall next week as the Northern Ireland Trophy takes centre stage.
Ask Joe Swail and Ken Doherty who inspired them to pick up a cue and without a moment's hesitation the answer is Higgins.
Doherty was World Champion in 1997, a success that took him to Old Trafford to parade the trophy while an estimated crowd of 250,000 came onto the streets of Dublin to mark the return of the conquering hero.
But it is a trip to the Waterfront a decade ago in a testimonial game for Higgins that is one of his fondest memories of that hectic time.
"There were 22 or 23 hundred people standing on their feet, I came in with the trophy, he came in with the hat, the scarf, and it went 5-4," he remembered.
"Nights like that were unbelievable, a super crowd, and then, of course, he p***** off without signing autographs! But that was the true rock star Alex Higgins.
"But I still love him. He was great for the game and when he won the World Championships in the Seventies that inspired me to be a snooker player and I'll always be thankful for Alex Higgins and what he did for snooker.
"The ten years has gone so quickly, but there was 10 years between his World Championships, so maybe there's an omen there!"
It's the same for another Belfast boy, Joe Swail.
"I used to beg my mum to let me stay up and watch him when it was about 10 or 11 o'clock at night and I had school the next morning and she was saying 'no, you're not allowed up', but it was good.
"I remember him winning in 1982, he was a character and the reason I picked up a cue."
Doherty is no stranger to Belfast, having been a regular visitor here over the years but he is clearly impressed by how things have progressed.
"It's fantastic to see how Belfast has developed," he said.
"This whole area (around the Waterfront) reminds me of Dublin, and there has been such a change. Belfast has always been a beautiful city, and the thing about it is they have a great passion for sport, and snooker is steeped in history here because of Alex Higgins, so it's only fitting we come here with a world ranking event."
Clive Everton Saturday August 12, 2006 The Guardian
The Northern Ireland Trophy, inaugurated a year ago as an invitation tournament, returns to the Waterfront Hall, Belfast tomorrow as the first of the new season's seven world ranking events. Local support will be squarely behind Mark Allen, the 2004 world amateur champion, who beat Steve Davis and John Higgins at this venue last year and went on to achieve a ranking of 62nd at the end of his first professional season. It is very early in the year to hold a ranking event, a move dictated by Barry Hearn's Betfred Premier League occupying every Thursday except one from September until early December. After a summer more suitable for the golf course than sweltering on the practice table, some top players may not be as well prepared as those who have had to survive the qualifying competition at Prestatyn. Stephen Hendry and Davis, just back from playing in a poker tournament in Las Vegas, will make do with a week's practice while Ronnie O'Sullivan's concentration is currently divided between snooker and pool.
While O'Sullivan seems motivated by the lure of something new, others are looking for opportunities in pool to bulk up their snooker income. Although the world ranking circuit of seven events is worth £2.83m in comparison with last season's £2.34m for six, even this does not compare favourably with the previous three seasons, all with eight events, which offered, decreasingly, £5.19m, £4.89m and £2.95m. The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association continues to find the sport's blossoming popularity difficult to translate into commercial affluence.
14 August 2006 Joe Swail predicted there would be shocks in the Northern Ireland Trophy and his words proved prophetic yesterday when he tumbled out of his home tournament.
Even with a partisan crowd on his side at the Waterfront Hall, the man provisionally ranked at No.13 in the world crashed out when hammered 5-1 by Gerard Greene.
Greene was steady, if unspectacular, notching up breaks of 55 and 42 to win the opener.
Runs of 48, 43 and 38 helped him jump into a 4-0 lead and staring down the barrel of a whitewash, Swail finally found his touch and a break of 67 got him on the board.
Greene, whose family lives in Northern Ireland, kept his cool though to win the sixth frame and book a second round date with Steve Davis.
"I played pretty well, but Joe didn't play as well as he can," said Greene.
"The home crowd were on Joe's side. He had a few more supporters, but I didn't let it bother me. It's the perfect start for me."
There was a shock too for Alan McManus, a semi-finalist at last season's Wembley Masters, who crashed out 5-2 in the first round to Preston potter Stuart Pettman.
McManus had breaks of 76 and 80, but with runs of 40, 42 and 92 Pettman made sure he went through.
Welshman Dominic Dale pocketed a century break in the opening frame of his first round match with Hong Kong's Marco Fu, before grinding out a 5-3 win to set up a meeting with last season's 888.com World Championship finalist Peter Ebdon.
In the morning session, David Gray lost 5-2 to Jamie Burnett, rattling in a 117 break along the way, while there was a thriller on the other table in the game between Mark Selby and Tony Drago.
The game was level no fewer than four times, but Selby finally edged past the Maltese cueist in a low scoring deciding frame.
All eyes today will focus on Mark Allen who begins his second season as a professional with a clash against Ryan Day this afternoon.
This time last year Allen shocked the snooker world with wins over Steve Davis and John Higgins, but with expectation now heaped on his young shoulders, he will be keen to show he is now a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.
Riba
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SNOOKER: McCulloch through without fuss
Lancashire's Ian McCulloch wasted little time in booking his place in the second round of the Northern Ireland Trophy today. The Preston potter took just under two hours today to defeat Scunthorpe`s Matthew Couch at the Waterfront Hall, emerging a comfortable 5-1 victor in their best-of-nine-frames clash thanks to breaks of 82, 63, 54, 53, 47 and 47.
Victory has now left the two-time ranking event finalist facing the mouth-watering challenge of facing seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry in the next phase.
"He`s [Hendry] given me a few headaches in the past, but I can beat him," said the world number 26, who is aiming to break back into the top 16 in the elite standings this season.
"I like playing him and if I play like I did against Matthew, then I have a good chance.
"Matthew struggled out there and looked a bit nervous, but I played alright and took my chances.
"I`ve had a nice holiday in Tenerife this summer and I`m looking forward to the season. I want to get back into the top 16, and I`ll be trying my best to do that."
Couch, the world number 70, never found his feet in front of the television cameras, mustering a high break of just 52 in the fourth frame to reduce his arrears after left-hander McCulloch had raced into a 3-0 lead.
Couch, whose best performance at ranking event was a quarter-final appearance at the 1998 UK Championship, admitted he had found McCulloch in top form.
"Ian was just too good for me. I didn`t play very well," reflected the 32-year-old.
Meanwhile, in the only other morning match on the second day of this year`s eight-day event, Derbyshire`s David Roe dug deep to record an excellent 5-4 win over Basildon`s Stuart Bingham.
Riba
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Отправлено: 14.08.06 20:07. Заголовок: Re:
Snooker: Davies a threat to Ding progress Aug 14 2006
Chinese star Ding Junhui could face a handful tonight when he meets Welshman Paul Davies in the Northern Ireland Trophy in Belfast.
The reigning UK champion begins his 2006-07 campaign at the Waterfront Hall, pitted against Davies, a player who is experiencing a renaissance of form.
Cardiff’s Davies is back in the top 64 for the first time in five years and, despite being some 17 years older than his teenage prodigy, the former Dubai Classic and Asian Open semi-finalist is looking for a good run at this year’s eight-day event.
“I’ve had a purple patch in the last few weeks,” said Davies.
“I know I’m playing well. I’ve been working on the mental pressure side of the game for a couple of years, so it has not been an overnight success.”
Riba
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Отправлено: 14.08.06 20:11. Заголовок: Re:
I WON'T MAKE IT EASY FOR MY MATE
By Alan Marshall GRAEME DOTT insists he'll forget about friendship when he clashes with practice partner Jamie Burnett at snooker's first ranking event of the season tomorrow.
The Scots meet in the second round of the Northern Ireland Trophy in Belfast after Burnett beat Londoner David Gray 5-2 yesterday, pocketing breaks of 117, 77 and 55.
Dott, who plays with Burnett at The Masters club in Glasgow, said: "It will be nice to play Jamie. He's a great player but whoever I play this season I want to make sure I perform.
"I want to have a good season as world champion. I'm sure being introduced as that before my match will be a very special feeling.
"You couldn't wipe the smile off my face when I won the world title. Now I want to start this season with a win. It has come round quickly and I want to enjoy it. I'm looking forward to playing in Belfast."
Burnett is also looking forward to battling it out with the world No. 6 for a place in the last 16. He said: "I don't think Graeme gets enough credit. He's a great player and very tough to beat but I have nothing to lose."
Burnett, ranked No.62 in the world, said: "Graeme has more guts and bottle than 99 per cent of the players so I was delighted for him when he won the world title. It was long overdue.
"He proved last year how good he is and I think he's the type of player who will buzz off being introduced as world champion before every match. I think it will help him."
But Burnett feels his game is in decent enough shape to give Dott a real test. He said: "I didn't really expect much against David because I've not had that much practice but I played well.
"It's really important to start the season well and to be honest David looked match shy. He missed balls that he usually wouldn't.
"The score could quite easily have been 5-2 the other way but you take your luck and now I have my match with Graeme to look forward too.
"I saw Graeme at the club the other week and told him I had a new tip. He joked with me that it didn't play well if we played each other. I hope it's a good match."
Preston potter Stuart Pettman made the perfect start to the new snooker season yesterday. The left-hander dispensed with former world No.6 Alan McManus to book his place in the second round of the Northern Ireland Trophy at the Waterfront Hall.
And a 5-2 win was enough to earn the 31-year-old a mouth-watering second round tie with former world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.
"I can't wait to play him," said a delighted Pettman, who compiled breaks of 92, 42 and 40 to progress. He joked: "I've obviously got an easy match in the next round!
"Ronnie's a great player, but I've got nothing to lose. I'm looking forward to the match.
"We've played a few times and I've been ahead in a couple of those matches and he's come back.
"Hopefully I can beat him for a change."
Pettman was forced to qualify for the first ranking event of the season, defeating Lee Page at the Pontin's Holiday Park in Prestatyn at the end of last month.
But with a couple of games under his belt he feels he could fair well in Belfast when many other players are 'coming in cold'.
"That's a great start to the season for me," added Pettman. "To be honest I've not really practised. Me and Shokat Ali have bought a snooker club in Lancashire, and my time has been spent working on the business.
"I had three hours' practice before my qualifying match in Prestatyn, and I played well.
"I think the pressure has lifted off me because I've been focusing on the business.
"I have adopted a carefree attitude.
"Maybe I should stick with it if I keep winning."
Fellow Prestonian Ian McCulloch opens his account against Scunthorpe's Matthew Couch.
The world No.26, twice a ranking event runner-up, will play seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry in the second round if he were to progress. 14 August 2006
shual007
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Отправлено: 15.08.06 20:37. Заголовок: Re:
Свеженькие послематчевые с Ворлдснукера DOTT BACK TO WINNING WAYS 15 Aug 2006 13:54:00
World champion Graeme Dott made a winning start to the new snooker season at the Northern Ireland Trophy today.
The Pocket Dyanmo fought back from 3-2 behind to defeat fellow countryman Jamie Burnett 5-3 in their first round clash at the Waterfront Hall.
Larkhall's Dott, the world No 6, had breaks of 80, 50 and 67 to earn a second round showdown with Leicester's Mark Selby on Thursday morning.
"It's important to win your first match of the season, especially after winning the world title," said a relaxed Dott. "You want to get that first win under your belt."
Burnett had runs of 61, 83 and 97 to make life difficult for Dott, but the 29-year-old used every ounce of his 12 years experience as a professional to get over the winning line.
He forged a 2-0 lead, opening with an 80 break, before Burnett won three frames on the spin to edge 3-2 ahead. But Dott won the last three frames, fluking a red in the last frame.
"Jamie played three good frames to go ahead, but I played ok and started well," added Dott. "He potted a black ball and knocked in a red by accident. Otherwise it could have been 4-2, but it was cruel for him because a fluke in the last frame helped me win.
"I've not had much practice before this tournament, so it was always going to be a wee bit more of a struggle, but I played well and had some good breaks."
Looking ahead to his match with Dott, Selby, a 5-2 victor over Tiptree's Ali Carter, said: "Graeme's a great player, so I can't wait to play him.
"We've never played each other before, but you always look forward to playing the world champion."
Breaks of 77 and 76 were enough to see the 2003 Scottish Open runner-up triumph, while Carter failed to make a break over 50 in his first outing of the 2006/7 season.
"I'm playing better and feeling more confident," added Selby. "I've come here on a high having won the World 8-Ball Pool Championship in the summer.
"I had a tough match against Tony Drago, but the first match of the season is always difficult. I didn't play outstandingly well against Ali, but I feel happy about my game."
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WIZARD'S NEW WAND WEAVES MAGIC 15 Aug 2006 18:15:00
John Higgins used his new cue to fine effect as he progressed to the last 16 of the Northern Ireland Trophy.
The Masters and Grand Prix champ recovered from a slow start to beat Robert Milkins 5-3 and set up a match with Anthony Hamilton or Ding Junhui at the Waterfront Hall.
Despite his success last season, reaching four major finals, Higgins starts the campaign afresh with a new cue.
"I’d been tinkering with the length of my old cue over the last few years," said the world No 4. "So I decided to forget about that and play with a new one. It took me a bit of time to adjust today but I’m very happy with it."
Wishaw’s Higgins won two of the first four frames with breaks of 73 and 78. Gloucester’s Milkins, a former Irish Masters semi-finalist, edged ahead after the interval with a 40 clearance in frame five.
But former world champion Higgins hit back with runs of 45, 47 and 40 to win the last three.
"It was looking very dodgy at the point and Robert had a chance to go 4-2 in front," added Higgins. "It was important I won that sixth frame to make it 3-3. Sometimes you begin to doubt yourself, but I played well enough."
The Scot has considered joining the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and Jimmy White in trying his hand at pool during the summer break but snooker is his first priority.
"I was talking to Ronnie about it today and he’s says it’s tough on the pool tour in America," said Higgins. "He said you can scrape through the first couple of rounds but if you are not an expert at the break-off shot you’ll soon get beaten by the top guys. Snooker's what I'm good at so I think I’ll stick to that."
Last season’s Crucible finalist Peter Ebdon had little to smile about as he suffered a 5-3 defeat against Welshman Dominic Dale.
Ebdon, the world No 7 and 2002 world champion, knocked in breaks of 128, 61 and 60. But Dale, sporting a bright pink shirt, was also in top form and, with runs of 104, 62, 59, 56, 52 and 45, secured his path into the last 16.
"Beating Peter is a big scalp for me, but I feel I’m back playing at a level I’m happy with," revealed former Grand Prix champion Dale, who missed the 14th red when on target for a 147 in the sixth frame.
"I’ve lacked a lot of self-belief in the past, but I’m a tremendous snooker player and why shouldn’t I believe in myself?
"I’ve won a major tournament and winning boosts your confidence. I won a couple of frames I shouldn’t have done in that match, but I’ve also made a couple of tremendous clearances."
Ryan Day built on his impressive win over Mark Allen with an emphatic 5-1 defeat of world No 12 Barry Hawkins.
The Pontycymmer potter crashed in breaks of 73, 70 and 89 to set up a match with Mark Williams or Andrew Norman.
TUESDAY 15/08/2006 13:48:46 SNOOKER:Dott wins at Belfast event
World champion Graeme Dott was forced to dig deep to book his place in the second round of the Northern Ireland Trophy in Belfast. Last season`s Crucible winner had to battle back from 3-2 down to triumph 5-3 against fellow countryman Jamie Burnett at the Waterfront Hall, pocketing breaks of 80, 50 and 67 to progress.
The world number six said after the success: "It`s important to win your first match of the season, especially after winning the world title.
"If you win things can happen quite quickly and infest. You want to get that first win under your belt."
Burnett had runs of 61, 83 and 97 to make life difficult for Larkhall`s Dott, but the 29-year-old used every ounce of his 12 years experience as a professional to get over the winning line.
He opened up a 2-0 lead, opening with an 80 break, before Burnett won three frames on the spin to edge 3-2 ahead.
But Dott won the last three frames of the pair`s best-of-nine clash, fluking a red in the last frame to help grab his first win of the season.
"Jamie played three good frames to go ahead, but I played okay and started well," added Dott, who now plays Leicester`s Mark Selby, winner of the World 8-Ball Pool Championship in Blackpool this summer.
"He potted a black ball and knocked in a red by accident. "If he`d got that it would have been 4-2, but it was cruel for him because a fluke in the last frame helped me win.
"I`ve not had much practice before this tournament, so it was always going to be a wee bit more of a struggle, but I played well and had some good breaks."
Meanwhile, Selby, who knocked out Maltese cueman Tony Drago in the first round, wasted little time in securing his place in the last 16 with a 5-2 victory over Tiptree`s Ali Carter.
Playing in the only other match of the morning session, world number 28 Selby, secured his second victory in Belfast this week - and is understandably looking to continue his fine form against Dott.
"I`m playing better and feeling more confident," said Selby, who went 3-0 ahead and had a chance to go 4-0 ahead in his clash with Carter.
"Graeme`s a great player, so I can`t wait to play him. "We`ve never played each other before, but you always look forward to playing the world champion."
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DUO CAN FLY FLAG FOR CHINA IN BELFAST
Chinese double act Ding Junhui and Tian Pengfei have the chance to make their mark at this week's Northern Ireland Trophy in Belfast.
The teenagers are both through to the second round at the Waterfront Hall, although defending UK champion Ding was taken the distance in his opening match of the 2006/07 season.
Ding, also the 2005 China Open winner, was forced to fight back from 4-2 down to beat Welsh qualifier Paul Davies 5-4 in their best of nine frame clash.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Pengfei defeated Devon left-hander Andy Hicks 5-3 to make sure of his place in the next round.
Ding was understandably unimpressed with his display, but is happy to still be in the tournament, the first of this year's ranking events.
"I played badly and I was nervous," admitted Ding, who won the match on a final frame decider, sinking the remaining blue and pink balls to progress.
He added: "There's pressure on me now because I'm in the top 32.
"I got very few chances in the last frame, so I just had to concentrate.
"I'm very relieved to have won. I must play better in my next match."
A defeated Hicks believes the emerging Chinese players are here to stay on the world circuit.
"There's quite a few good players coming out of China," said the world number 31.
"He (Tian) is a good player, but I gave him too many chances. The standard is so high these days that you can't afford to make many mistakes because you get punished."
Day three of this year's eight-day championship, with Ј200,000 worth of prize money up for grabs, sees world champion Graeme Dott take on fellow Scot Jamie Burnett in the first of the second round clashes.
Dott has been practising with John Higgins, last season's Masters and Grand Prix winner, at The Masters club in Glasgow.
And having tasted sweet success in winning the biggest prize in the game last May, the Larkhall potter is understandably looking to have a good year as the defending world champion.
"I want to have a good season as world champion," said Dott.
"I'm sure being introduced as the world champion before my match will be a very special feeling."
The second round also sees last season's 888.com World Championship runner-up Peter Ebdon open his account, as will world number four Higgins, two-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan and Welsh big guns Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens.
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DALE DELIVERS EBDON KO
Last season's Crucible finalist Peter Ebdon had little to smile about on Tuesday afternoon after he was surprisingly dumped out of the Northern Ireland Trophy in Belfast.
Playing in his first competitive match of the 2006/7 season, the 888.com World Championship runner-up was beaten 5-3 by Welshman Dominic Dale at the Waterfront Hall despite some solid break-building.
Wellingborough potter Ebdon, the world No 7 and 2002 world champion, knocked in breaks of 128, 61 and 60.
But Dale, sporting a bright pink shirt, was also in top form and, with runs of 104, 62, 59, 56, 52 and 45 securing his path into the last 16.
"Beating Peter is a big scalp for me, but I feel I'm back playing at a level I'm happy with," revealed Dale, who has been working hard on his technique during the summer.
"I've been striking the ball really well and working hard in private. Against some players you feel very comfortable when you're 4-2 ahead, but against Peter you can never relax.
"I've lacked a lot of self-belief in the past, but I'm a tremendous snooker player and why shouldn't I believe in myself?
"I've won a major tournament and winning boosts your confidence. I've won a couple of frames I shouldn't have done in that match, but I've also made a couple of tremendous clearances."
Current Masters and Grand Prix champion John Higgins is also through to the last 16 after a far from routine victory over Gloucester's Robert Milkins.
The Wizard of Wishaw was forced to come back from 3-2, before snatching a 5-3 win.
And the Scot openly admitted his passage through to the next round had looked precarious after Milkins had gone close to going 4-2 ahead.
"It was looking very dodgy at the point and Robert had a chance to go 4-2 in front," revealed Higgins, the world No 4, who was playing with a new cue.
"It was important I won that sixth frame to make it 3-3. I'm playing with a new cue and it took me time to adjust out there.
"Sometimes you begin to doubt yourself, but I played well enough."
World No 4 Higgins had breaks of 73, 78, 45, 47 and 40 to keep his name in the hat for this year's crown, and will now play either Chinese prodigy Ding Junhui, the current UK champion, or Nottingham's Anthony Hamilton on Thursday evening.
"I thought I played ok and maybe I tried a bit harder here because this is a ranking event," added Higgins.
"Last year this wasn't a ranking event and when you are 3-1 down you are sometimes more inclined to throw the towel in.
"But I'm in the next round and looking forward to the season."
Welshman Ryan Day defeated last season's Grand Prix semi-finalist Barry Hawkins, 5-1 to go through, compiling breaks of 73, 70, 40, 43 and 89 on the way to victory.
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Отправлено: 16.08.06 05:30. Заголовок: Re:
DRAGONS THROUGH IN BELFAST
The Welsh flag is flying high at the Northern Ireland Trophy in Belfast.
Four Welshman have reached the last 16 stage of this year's tournament at the Waterfront Hall.
And one of them is guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals after the top half of the draw pans out nicely for any one of three Welsh players.
Two-time world champion Mark Williams wasted little time in reaching the business end of the tournament with a comprehensive 5-1 win over Bristol's Andrew Norman.
But next up is a clash with fellow countryman Ryan Day, one of his practice partners.
Day, who has dropped just two frames in his first and second round matches, has revealed this week that the pair have had some "brilliant" practice matches.
So it is no wonder that the Bridgend potter believes he has every chance of booking a quarter-final birth if he can beat his good mate. Whoever wins, a Welshman is guaranteed a place in the last eight.
And the winner of that match will play either former World Championship runner-up Matthew Stevens, who faces Ronnie O'Sullivan in his next match after whitewashing Romford's Mark King in the second round.
The probability of a Welshman in the semis is high, but The Rocket stands in their way.
Perhaps the most surprising of the four players to progress is Dominic Dale.
Dale, a ranking event winner back at the 1997 Grand Prix, has impressed since his arrival in Belfast.
Victories over Hong Kong's Marco Fu, and yesterday an excellent 5-3 win against Peter Ebdon, last season's Crucible finalist, have deservedly given Dale the chance to continue sparkling at this year's tournament.
Next up will be a clash with either six-times world champion Steve Davis or Gerard Greene, the last standing local interest.
"I'm playing really well," said Dale. "I've got nothing to lose and I'll be giving it everything I've got to beat either Steve or Gerard. It's all about self-belief."
The fourth day of the event also sees seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry open his 2006/7 season account against Lancastrian left-hander Ian McCulloch, while former UK and European Open winner Stephen
Maguire takes on Cleveland qualifier Mike Dunn.
Other big names in action today are Davis, defending UK champion Ding Junhui, Aussie ace Neil Robertson, last season's Welsh Open winner Stephen Lee, 2005 world champion Shaun Murphy and former world champion and crowd favourite Ken Doherty.
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O'SULLIVAN SQUEEZES THROUGH
Ronnie O'Sullivan found it tough going on his way to reaching the last 16 of the Northern Ireland Trophy tonight.
He fought back from 2-1 behind against Preston's Stuart Pettman to grab a 5-4 win at the Waterfront Hall, but laughed off any suggestion the match had been hard work.
"It was kind of tough, but I enjoyed it. I had a bit of fun," reflected O'Sullivan, a beaten finalist twice last season who now plays Welshman Matthew Stevens in the next round.
"It's good to be here. It was a good crowd."
Asked whether he is worried about ranking points this season having slipped to No 12 in the provisional rankings, O'Sullivan said: "If you start worrying about that you might as well be stacking shelves!"
Pettman was understandably downbeat that he had not won the match having made breaks of 56, 66 and 96.
But having led and then missed a glorious chance to edge 3-2 ahead, the Lancastrian qualifier was left to rue what might have been.
"I should have gone 3-2 ahead, but I missed an easy red which I should have potted. Ronnie's made a brilliant clearance to win the frame," said Pettman.
"But when it went 4-4 I had a chance to win it. I had a half-chance on a red, but Ronnie showed his class to win the match.
"I can't take too many positives from the match because I've lost, but I played okay and played well in my first-round win over Alan McManus."
O'Sullivan won a scrappy opening frame, before Pettman went 2-1 ahead, the highlight of which was a 56 break in the second frame.
A 53 break and then O'Sullivan's 71 run saw him go 3-2 ahead, before Pettman rallied to level with a 96 break.
It went 4-4, O'Sullivan taking the next with a 113 break, only for Pettman to win a scrappy eighth.
However, victory was eventually O'Sullivan's when he sunk a 55 break to make sure of a place in the next round.
Meanwhile, Welsh wizards Mark Williams and Stevens safely secured their passages into the last 16, both players easing to comfortable second round wins.
Two-time world champion Williams had a 5-1 win over Bristol's Andrew Norman, compiling 108, 75, 46, 40 and 47 breaks for victory, while fellow countryman Stevens whitewashed Romford's Mark King.
Left-hander King mustered a high break of just 33 as Carmarthen's Stevens pocketed runs of 70, 61, 62, 73 and 51 to earn a showdown with O'Sullivan on Thursday afternoon.
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WEDNESDAY 16/08/2006 13:47:06 SNOOKER: Hendry marches on at Belfast event
The seven-times world champion disposed of Lancaster`s Ian McCulloch 5-3 in their second-round showdown at the Waterfront Hall.
But the all-conquering Scot did not have it all his own way and was forced to battle back from 2-0 behind after Preston potter McCulloch got off to a flyer.
"I`ve only been practising for 10 days, but I know I can play snooker. It`s all about getting your head right," said Hendry, who pocketed breaks of 46, 67, 112 and 46.
"I was 2-0 down and it could have been 3-0, but I hung in there and my form got better. I felt in control."
McCulloch opened with 60 and 40 breaks to give Hendry plenty to ponder, before Hendry found an extra gear to win the next four frames.
Hendry had runs of 46, 67 and 112 as he opened up a two-frame lead, before McCulloch, a two-time ranking event finalist, won the seventh frame with a break of 87 to reduce his arrears.
However, Hendry won the next to earn a last-16 clash with either Trowbridge`s Stephen Lee, last season`s Welsh Open winner, or Derbyshire`s David Roe.
"He got stronger and stronger," admitted McCulloch, who was left to rue a missed chanced to go 3-0 ahead when he ran out of position.
"I also chucked a frame away, but I`ve got some valuable ranking points from my first-round win. It`s a shame I lost because I fancied the job."
Meanwhile, Stephen Maguire, the former UK and European Open champion, made a solid start to the new season.
The world number nine defeated Cleveland qualifier Mike Dunn 5-2 in the only other match of the morning session.
But he too was forced to fight back from 2-0 behind, after breaks of 35 and 62 saw Dunn take an early lead.
However, it was one-way traffic from there on in as Maguire compiled breaks of 65, 57, 77 and 131 to win five frames on the spin, with Dunn collecting just 23 points from those frames.
"You could tell Mike had played a couple of matches because he was right in on the balls, but from 2-0 down I played brilliantly," said a delighted Maguire.
"I`ve practised hard for the new season and it`s nice to win a first-round match for a change.
"I think I`ve been a professional for seven or eight years now and I think I`ve only ever won three first-round matches."
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WEDNESDAY 16/08/2006 18:24:44 SNOOKER: Greene ends Davis hopes Northern Ireland's Gerard Greene has dumped six-time world champion Steve Davis out of the Northern Ireland Trophy. He defeated Davis 5-2 in their second round best-of-nine frame showdown at the Waterfront Hall this afternoon.
The Northern Irish man started in fine fashion, pocketing a 62 break before `The Nugget` stole a scrappy second frame to level matters.
Breaks of 75 and 48 helped Greene establish a 3-1 interval lead, before winning the first frame after the restart to go 4-1 ahead.
Davis, a beaten finalist in last season`s UK Championship in York, reduced his arrears to 4-2 thanks to a break of 52, but it was Greene who made sure of victory by winning the seventh and deciding frame.
"It`s about time that I beat Steve," said Greene, who was beaten 10-9 by Davis at the World Championship in Sheffield two seasons ago.
"That win doesn`t make up for the Crucible defeat, but I was happy with the way I played.
"If I`d have beaten him 10-0, then that would have made up for losing to him in Sheffield."
Spurred on by his watching family, including his father Gerard, uncles and aunties, Greene admitted the home support has been a big help.
"It`s nice to have a few people supporting me out there, especially my family," added Greene, who now plays Welshman Dominic Dale in the last 16.
"Dominic`s playing well, so it should be a good match. I beat him 5-0 a couple of years ago and I normally do well against him.
"It`s nice that I`m the last local player here. It would be great if I could get into the quarter-finals, and then even the final."
ASIA'S No1 ranked player Marco Fu of Hong Kong put the icing on the cake as he defeated Issara Kachaiwong 5-3 to win the SangSom-Hua Hin Thailand Masters 2006 top honours on Sunday.
World No.22 Fu ( Highland Spring / Betfred ) was rewarded with a cash prize of 100,000 baht and a glittering trophy that he received from the Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptaphanlop. Issara, a Chanthaburi native, received 50,000 baht for his second-place finish.
Fu once again impressed at the Hua Hin Grand Hotel Ballroom, packed to its capacity with local snooker fans, in a match that saw two players exact amazing pots, miss simple balls and trade punches in engrossing safety tussles.
The 110sport star led Issara, the reigning Asian champion, 3-1 at the mid-session interval, but Issara was not willing to give in easily and after a marathon clash in the fifth he stole the frame on the black ball to reduce the deficit to 3-2.
Fu took the sixth, but then Issara hit back with a 56 point run to capture the seventh. Issara potted a difficult red, but the cue ball struck the blue, which, much to the chagrin of everyone at the venue, disappeared into the centre pocket. This paved the way for Fu cruise home successfully and seal the fate of the match.
A beaming Fu claimed later: "I didn't play as well as I had in the semifinals, but it still proved enough. Issara played very well and has the potential to do well on the professional tour.
"He missed a few balls here and there and that in fact enabled me to win today. I hope that I will be here again for another tournament next year." Final: Marco Fu ( Hong Kong ) beat Issara Kachaiwong 5-3 (61-48, 48-71, 74-8, 115(90)-0, 57-62, 85-22, 0-66(56), 61-38
Stephen Hendry recovered from 2-0 down to beat Preston's Ian McCulloch 5-3 and reach the third round of the Northern Ireland Trophy yesterday. Starting the season as world No1 for the first time in eight years, Hendry had had only 10 days' practice pre-season after competing in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. He lasted a day: his friend Steve Davis won $20,000 (£10,500) for surviving for three days.
Davis fared less well on the snooker table, losing 5-2 to Gerard Greene in Belfast yesterday. Stephen Maguire, the world No9, won five successive frames to beat Mike Dunn 5-2.
FRIDAY 18/08/2006 15:57:58 SNOOKER: O'Sullivan reaches semis in Belfast
The Rocket was in blistering form in Belfast, cruising to a 5-1 win at the Waterfront Hall today.
Back-to-back centuries were the catalyst for his success as two-time former world champion O`Sullivan racked up 455 points in five frames, racing to victory in just 58 minutes.
Day, who started with a 50 run to take the opening frame, then only managed 26 points as the former world number one hit top form.
"I played all right today. I`m going to go for my shots. I`m not going to get bogged down and drive myself mad over it," reflected O`Sullivan, twice a beaten finalist last season.
"I`m just going to open up the balls and try and get a long pot. I`m enjoying it (playing).
"For me, it`s important that I play with a smile on my face. I know if I do that everyone else will be enjoying themselves. That`s my way of promoting snooker."
O`Sullivan put his foot on the gas, pocketing breaks of 54, 82, 104, 106 and a match-clinching 67 in the sixth frame to secure a semi-final berth.
In total the scoring favoured the Rocket 455-117 points, with 379 of those coming unanswered thanks to his excellent centuries.
"I want to entertain. If I can do that, then I`ve done my bit for snooker," added O`Sullivan.
"If I keep doing that then hopefully my legacy will be left. At the end of the day I don`t want to be responsible for not doing my part for the game.
"We`ve (the players) all got a part to play , and I`m playing my part."
World champion Graeme Dott bowed out and missed the chance to face O`Sullivan in the semi-finals tomorrow.
Last season`s Crucible winner was beaten 5-2 by on-song Welshman Dominic Dale.
The world number four admitted: "Dominic played well. I had a nightmare start to the match.
"He should have been 4-0 up. It`s not that I played bad, but I didn`t do too much wrong."
Victory would have seen Dott set up a repeat of last season`s World Championship semi-final with O`Sullivan.
But with Dale continuing his fine form in Belfast this week, Dott took defeat in his stride.
"I still thought I could come back, but Dominic had a good start and it was always going to be hard to come back," added Dott.
Dale won the opening frame with a 61 break and then went 2-0 ahead by winning a scrappy second frame.
It was soon 3-0, largely thanks to a run of 40, before Dott pinched the fourth frame to trail 3-1 at the interval.
Larkhall`s Dott reduced his arrears further by winning the first frame after the resumption thanks to a break of 43, but Dale was not to be denied.
The 1997 Grand Prix champion produced a tournament high break of 137 to go 4-2 ahead, before winning the mach with a wonderful pressure clearance.
Dott got in first and made a 62 break, but Dale kept his cool to sink a 65 run and progressed to the last 4.
"At 3-1 and 3-2 up I started to lose my focus and my edge was going a little bit," said Dale.
"But my form is superb and making a break of 137 was a great way to go 4-2 up.
"He (Graeme) left me a horrible red in the seventh frame, but I struck it beautifully and made a good break to win it.
"This is the best I`ve played in a tournament, and it`s only because I`ve started to believe in myself."
Snooker: Lee and Murphy on collision course Aug 18 2006
icWales
Stephen Lee and Shaun Murphy lock horns today at the Northern Ireland Trophy in Belfast.
And the match has extra significance for both players, for it is the first time they have met since they clashed at the Welsh Open final last season.
That day Lee triumphed 9-4 at the Newport Centre to lift the Welsh title, leaving 2005 World Champion Murphy to rue what might have been.
But Rotherham potter Murphy wants revenge, although Lee will have other ideas having sunk seven-times world champion Stephen Hendry last night.
“I’m delighted, to beat Stephen in any tournament is a good win,” said the 31-year-old world number 10.
“There was a lot of pressure out there as it’s the first tournament of the season.
“I did fear the worst at one stage as Stephen is a class act but even when he was in the balls at the end I felt I would get another chance.”
Lee was arrested by police earlier in the summer on suspicion of conspiracy to supply drugs, but was later released without charge.
“It hasn’t affected me because I’m innocent, I’ve done nothing wrong,” he added.
“It was annoying that my name was in the papers but it hasn’t been on my mind and as I’ve shown here it hasn’t affected my snooker.
“I’m in good form and I’m feeling quietly confident which is a good sign because that’s just how I felt in Newport.”
Meanwhile, Murphy understandably wants payback for his Welsh Open defeat and said: “I’d love to stuff it up him!
“At the end of the day we’re sportsmen and I want to beat Stephen.
“He’ll be trying his hardest to beat me, but I’ll be trying my hardest to beat him as well.
“It’s a repeat of last season’s Welsh Open final and I’d like to thing I’ve learnt a few things from then. It’s a great chance for me to get into the semi-finals here.”
Murphy pocketed breaks of 47, 58, 42, 79 and 58 to edge over the winning line against Aussie ace Neil Robertson.
He added: “It’s been hard against Neil the last few times we’ve played each other, so it was great to get revenge. It’s nice to say that I”ve beaten him for a change.
“I have the utmost respect for Neil. I love to watch him play, he’s got so much natural ability. But it’s great to win.”
19 August 2006 O'SULLIVAN IS BETTER BY SMILES By Lee Reynolds RONNIE O'SULLIVAN blew away Welshman Ryan Day to reach the Northern Ireland Trophy semi-finals.
The Rocket was in blistering form in Belfast, cruising to a 5-1 win at the Waterfront Hall.
Back-to-back centuries were the catalyst for his success as the two-time former world champ racked up 455 points in five frames, racing to victory in 58 minutes.
Day, who started with a 50-point run to take the opening frame, then only managed 26 further points as the ex-world No.1 hit top form.
O'Sullivan, twice a beaten finalist last season, said: "I'm going to go for my shots. I'm not going to get bogged down.
"I'm enjoying it. It's important I play with a smile. I know if I do that everyone else will be enjoying themselves. That is my way of promoting snooker."
O'Sullivan pocketed breaks of 54, 82, 104, 106 and a match-clinching 67 in the sixth frame to secure a semi-final berth.
The scoring favoured the Rocket 455-117 points, with 379 of those coming unanswered.
However, world champ Graeme Dott bowed out, missing the chance to face O'Sullivan in today's semi-finals.
The Scot was beaten 5-2 by on-song Welshman Dominic Dale.
The world No.4 admitted: "Dominic played well. I had a nightmare start.
"It's not that I played bad, I didn't do too much wrong."
Victory would have seen Dott set up a repeat of last season's World Championship semi-final with O'Sullivan.
Dale was soon 3-0 up before Dott pinched the fourth frame to trail 3-1 at the interval. Dott reduced arrears further but Dale was not to be denied, producing a tournament-high break of 137 before clinching it.
Dale said: "It's only because I've started to believe in myself."
Snooker: Water prediction by Rocket Ronnie! By Frank Brownlow 20 August 2006 Ronnie O'Sullivan, last week in this newspaper, told his opponents that if he was on form they could forget about beating him in the Northern Ireland Trophy. And in that same exclusive Sunday Life interview, O'Sullivan tipped Ding Junhui to be his successor as snooker's brightest star. Today the Rocket's predictions come true when he takes on the 19-year-old in the best of 17 frame final at the Waterfront Hall after the Chinese sensation beat Stephen Lee 6-1 in last night's semi-final. O'Sullivan told Sunday Life: "The only one of the up and coming players who seems to do it when it matters is Ding Junhui. He's won the UK Championship which is a massive tournament and he's also won the China Open. So he has actually won things and is a force to be reckoned with. "Other players have won maybe one tournament and got to semi-finals and quarter-finals. So that means Ding Junhui stands out from the others because he has proven himself." O'Sullivan hammered Dominic Dale 6-0 in a record-breaking 53 minutes in the other semi-final. The two-time world champion's win was the quickest ever best-of-11 frame match. O'Sullivan was on fire with breaks of 65, 64, 84, 75, 63 and 67, helping him to establish a 4-0 lead at the interval in just 38 minutes. It got even better following the interval with O'Sullivan adding further breaks of 106 and 63. O'Sullivan afterwards revealed he has even considered staging his own tournament, one which he wants to be fast with no negative play.
Alan David in Belfast Monday August 21, 2006 The Guardian
Ding Jun Hui secured a 5-3 first session lead over Ronnie O'Sullivan to move to within four frames of capturing the season-opening Northern Ireland Trophy at the Waterfront Hall yesterday. O'Sullivan's 115 helped him to a lead of 3-1 but he failed to pot a ball in the next four frames as the 19-year-old Ding, who won two ranking titles last year, compiled breaks of 71, 58 and 103 in claiming the advantage O'Sullivan has never been the most patient of players but a recent excursion across the Atlantic to compete on a new American pool circuit seems to have further diminished his appetite for slow, grinding snooker of the sort Graeme Dott and Peter Ebdon served up in the World Championship final last May. A more glitzy, entertaining approach, which O'Sullivan exhibited all week in Belfast, is what the twice world champion believes will boost the sport's fortunes, even though television audiences are still healthy.
"I really want to help snooker get back to being a big sport again," he said. "I'm picking up the paper and seeing cricket getting two or three pages and yet our sport is very much on a par with it and we don't get that.
"Snooker needs to change. It's not just a game, it's entertainment. We have to be prepared to take risks and try something different. I'm getting fed up of it just being me and a few other players carrying the mantle and not getting any thanks for it."
In fact, the next ranking event, October's Grand Prix, will be played under a new format in which 48 players will be divided into eight groups of six, playing each other over the best of five frames as opposed to the standard best of nine.
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, the game's governing body, and the BBC, the host broadcasters, believe this change will give the tournament an individual identity and boost interest.
Not all players are happy but a new sponsor is expected to be revealed later this week, with a further announcement likely for January's Wembley Masters.
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Sunday August 20, 2006 The Observer
Ronnie O'Sullivan, in peak form all week, shattered the record for the quickest best-of-11-frame victory in professional snooker. In securing his place in the Northern Ireland Trophy final at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, with a 6-0 whitewash of Dominic Dale, O'Sullivan was detained for 53 minutes. The previous record, set when Stephen Hendry beat Dave Harold 6-0 in the 1993 International Open, was 71 minutes. 'I feel a responsibility to entertain. I'm conscious that people want snooker like that,' said O'Sullivan, who outscored Dale 608-29, compiling eight breaks over 60 including a 106, his fifth century of the event. Phil Yates
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EXCLUSIVE Ronnie O'Sullivan Interview
By Michael Emons
RONNIE O’Sullivan has conquered the snooker world and is now determined to have the same impact in pool.
The Rocket has stressed his desire to play in more tournaments and has another chance to improve his skills when he competes in the inaugural PartyPoker.com World Cup of Pool, which starts on August 22 at the Newport Centre in Newport, Wales.
The event, which features some of the finest 9-ball players, including four former world champions, sees 32 two-man teams playing in a scotch-doubles knockout format, all vying for the $60,000 top prize.
O’Sullivan, 30, who partners 2005 World Pool Masters winner Raj Hundal to form the England A side, believes he can be successful in pool.
“I definitely think I can get into it,” said O’Sullivan, a two-time World Snooker Champion. “I just need to dedicate myself a bit more to learning the break-off shot and if I do I will have a decent chance of winning tournaments.
“Tony Drago has won competitions and it’s good to see other snooker players performing well. If they can do it, then I’m sure I can.
“I come from a snooker background but once I practise pool more I think I will have a chance.”
O’Sullivan has already appeared in two pool events this year and has had mixed success. He scratched twice off the break during an 8-5 first round defeat against Wu Chia-ching in the World Pool Masters in June but advanced through two rounds to reach the last 60 of the 2006 IPT North American Open 8-Ball Championships last month.
The Rocket will still be playing in major snooker events but believes he will soon be competing at a high level in pool - as long as he keeps working on his technique.
He said: “My first game is snooker, it’s something I practise but this is something new and there’s no pressure on me when I play pool. It’s not as if I have anything to prove, but if I’m playing snooker my reputation is on the line all the time.
“Every time I go out to play snooker my pride makes me not want to lose but in pool, as I’ve never really played it, I don’t feel like I deserve to win.
“I know I need to work on my break and that cost me that match against Wu. But it’s something I can work on and it’s not that difficult so once I get that right I will have a chance.
“Wu is a better pool player than me but if I played him on a snooker table then I would be thinking ‘I can’t let him beat me at my own game’.
“Before the World Pool Masters I had not played pool since January but that competition gave me a bit of a flavour of it."
A SNOOKER fan who last week celebrated her 100th birthday received a special present from star player Steve Davis.
Ethel Ellis was born in High Street, Bridlington, on August 18, 1906. Apart from brief spells in Hull and Elland, in West Yorkshire, she has lived in the town for most of her life. She and her husband Arthur celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on August 6, 1985. Mrs Ellis, now a widow, has five sons, 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She said one of her most vivid memories was while living in Hull during the Great War and having to take cover while zepplins dropped bombs. Although born in Bridlington, she descends from a fishing family in Flamborough. Her grandmother, from the Knagg's family, married John Lane and he became the lighthouse-keeper at Saltend. One of their daughters, Ethel's mother, married a Johnson from Hull and they had six daughters and one son. Mrs Ellis still has a younger sister, who lives in Devon. As well as receiving a card from the Queen, Mrs Ellis also got the signed photo of Steve Davis. Nowadays, Mrs Ellis spends her time watching sport on television – her favourites are snooker, pool and cricket – and she likes spending time with her family.
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24 August 2006 DING WILL BE KING OF THE TABLE By Ted Tracey DING JUNHUI began the new snooker season with victory in the Northern Ireland Trophy - and John Higgins reckons the Chinese star's campaign could end as world champion.
The 19-year-old underlined his star status with a 9-6 win over former world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast on Sunday.
Ding's success saw him become only the second player since Higgins to win three ranking events before his 20th birthday. And he Wishaw star believes the victory will fire Junhui on to greater glory this season.
Higgins said: "I don't think there is any question that Ding is a future world champion. He's got as good a chance as anyone at Sheffield next year.
"It's only a matter of time and I'd imagine it will happen sooner rather than later.
"Ding has an exceptional talent. Apart from his ability at the table his temperament is second to none.
"Even when he's under pressure he is ice cool and when you add that to the way he plays it's a strong combination.
"That's why I think he's got world champion written all over him."
Fellow Scot Graeme Dott is the current world champion after his brilliant 18-14 victory over Peter Ebdon in at the Crucible Theatre in May but Higgins believes Junhui is snapping at his heels.
Thailand's James Wattana has flown the flag proudly for snooker in the Far East by reaching two world semifinals, in 1993 and 1997, while Hong Kong's Marcu Fu was a Crucible semi-finalist this year.
Junhui is now aiming to go the distance followed by his army of fans back home.
Higgins said: "Ding's matches are invariably watched by more than 100 million TV viewers in China. That's how popular he is and he's doing big things for the game in Asia.
"He has something special about him even though he's still so young.
"Even at this early stage of his career he's definitely one of the favourites for next year's world championship."
Higgins, who lost 5-3 to the Chinese star on his way to the quarter-finals in Belfast, insists there are no flaws in Junhui's game.
He added: "I don't see any real weaknesses in his game. His temperament is great, it's the same with his break building while his tactical game is getting better all the time.
"In common with the Chinese players I think he practices harder than anyone so his work ethic is up there as well.
"He really is unflappable and even when he wins he rarely cracks a smile although he's a pleasant enough young boy.
"You have to take your hat off to him coming over to a foreign country at such a young age and doing so well. He deserves nothing but credit."
Buyer is left snookered as Hendry gear goes missing MICHAEL BLACKLEY (mblackley@edinburghnews.com)
A SIGNED Stephen Hendry waistcoat put up for auction to raise money for former snooker player Chris Small has gone missing.
The garment had fetched £425 at an auction held at the Hilton Grosvenor, in Haymarket, on August 5. The money was supposed to help Small after he was forced to retire from the game due to a rare spinal condition. But by the following Tuesday, before the buyer had the chance to collect the waistcoat, it had disappeared from a storeroom in the hotel. Police have been called to investigate the incident, and event organisers have criticised the hotel's security.
Seven-time world champion Hendry, who wore the waistcoat at the 2005 finals, said: "Everybody gathered to pay tribute to Chris and to celebrate his career. It must have left a really sour taste for a great many people for something like this to have happened.
"In fact, given it was for such a deserving cause, if the waistcoat was stolen you can only describe that as despicable."
Mr Small added: "If someone's taken it, it's a real shame. It's not the kind of thing you would expect to happen. We'll probably never get it back now which is a great shame for the guy that was willing to bid all that money for it - he must have really wanted it.
"Hopefully someone will be able to help us with this and give us some kind of information that will track it down." Event organiser Mike Leslie, a friend of Mr Small's who runs Bonnyrigg Snooker Club and the Scottish Youth Snooker Association, questioned whether security at the Hilton had been tight enough.
He said: "It's really disappointing that this has happened, on what was an otherwise great night.
"We had an agreement with the hotel manager to store any items sold at auction, at our own risk, in his office so that we could collect them a few days later.
"But when we went to collect all the items on the Tuesday so we could start getting them to people we noticed right away that it was missing."
One of the men who spent more than £2000 buying items at the auction told Mr Leslie that he had gone to the hotel to collect what he had bought and was shocked that a staff member told him to unlock the office door and help himself.
Mr Leslie said: "It's lucky it was this guy but someone else might not have been so honest."
The waistcoat had been bought by a 31-year-old city firefighter, who asked not to be named.
He said: "I really wanted it because Stephen had worn it while playing and it was signed.
"I'm really gutted that it's gone missing and just hope someone will return it if they have it."
The waistcoat was part of an auction that helped raise more than £30,000 for Mr Small.
The Hilton Hotel refused to comment on the missing waistcoat.
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England role for coach Del
Thursday, August 31: 9.30am - DEL Hill has just been apppointed the English Amateur Snooker Board's coach and manager. He will now be in charge of all England teams from the under-16s, to the under 19s and the full senior oufit.
"I'm absolutely delighted and feel really honoured to have been recognised in this way. There's no greater feeling than that of being called up by your country," he said this week. Del, from Friskney, will take charge of the England teams for the 'home internationals', which start on September 9 and see England play the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and an invitation international side.
He has appointed as his assistant professional player Nigel Bond, a former world championship finalist and currently ranked in the top 32. Del's England appointment comes hard on the heels of a hectic couple of weeks. He has spent several days at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, coaching the game's top young talent at the World Snooker Academy summer school.
As well as the cream of England's teenage cuemen, players from the Ukraine, Germany and Ireland were also able to benefit from spending time with country's snooker 'guru'. And the man who puts the 'C' into 'Champions' – he coached both Ronnie O'Sullivan and Graeme Dott to world titles – last week returned to the academy to conduct a training course and carry out the examination of professionals seeking the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association's coaching certificate. Del has re-written the World Snooker Association's coaching manual, and it was used for the first time for the current crop of candidates.
Some of his innovations have been greeted with absolute awe, particularly the cueing technique which is rapidly becoming known among professionals as 'the Del Drive'.
Police launch Hendry waistcoat theft probe
POLICE have started an investigation into the apparent theft of a signed Stephen Hendry waistcoat from a city hotel.
The snooker star's tartan-backed waistcoat went missing following an auction at the Hilton Grosvenor Hotel on August 5.
It fetched £425, which was supposed to be part of funds raised for Craigentinny-based ex-snooker star Chris Small, who was forced to retire from the game last year following the development of a rare spinal condition. But when organisers returned two days later to collect items from the auction that were stored in a locked room at the hotel, they discovered it was missing.
A police spokesman said: "We are currently making inquiries into the theft of a black tartan waistcoat signed by Stephen Hendry which was auctioned for charity. We believe it went missing from the hotel some time on August 6."
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Greene's moving up in the world
By Billy Weir
26 August 2006 Gerard Greene's impressive displays in last week's Northern Ireland Trophy have moved him up the world rankings.
The latest standings, released following Ding Junhui's 9-6 victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan, make pleasant reading for Greene.
He reached the last 16 before bowing out to Dominic Dale and as a result is now provisionally ranked at 27.
One of his victims on the way was Joe Swail, who has fallen one place to 14.
Mark Allen, who fell at the first televised hurdle, is now ranked at 33.
No doubt though who was the biggest mover with Ding up to fifth.
Ding became the second player in snooker history, after John Higgins, to win three ranking titles before his 20th birthday, having triumphed at the China Open and UK Championship last year.
He started the season at ninth in the provisional rankings and has climbed four places.
"I'm very happy tonight and pleased to equal John Higgins' record. I want to keep getting better," said Ding, who would become the youngest ever official world No 1 if he reached the top of the list by the end of the campaign.
Two-times world champion O'Sullivan had slipped to 12th after an erratic 2005/06 season but is now up to eighth.
"There's no comparison between Ding and the other young players coming through," O'Sullivan commented.
"He's got a gift, he's a naturally attacking player but he doesn't make any mistakes.
"That's why he's a winner and he's already achieved more than the other emerging players."
Ken Doherty remains on top despite being knocked out by Ding in the quarter-finals.
World Champion Graeme Dott is up to second, moving ahead of John Higgins who fell in the second round.
Dale jumps nine places to No 21 after reaching the last four, while the other losing semi-finalist Stephen Lee is up one spot to ninth.
Tian Pengfei, another 19-year-old from China hoping to follow in Ding's footsteps, gave notice of his potential by winning four matches to get to the last 32. The Tour debutant is up to No 67.
Next up on the calendar is the Pot Black where there is a fascinating re-match between Graeme Dott and Peter Ebdon.
Dott beat Ebdon 18-14 in the final of the 888.com World Snooker Championship in May and the pair clash again in next Saturday's one-frame knockout event at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall, London.
Last year's world champion Shaun Murphy faces Mark Williams, while the world's top two ranked players clash as Stephen Hendry takes on Ken Doherty.
Quarter-finals draw: John Higgins v Matthew Stevens; Graeme Dott v Peter Ebdon; Shaun Murphy v Mark Williams; Stephen Hendry v Ken Doherty.
Billy Weir
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Conference centre takes a cue from Crucible in snooker bid MICHAEL BLACKLEY
IT'S a dream for every snooker-loopy fan in the Capital - the game's top players fighting it out for the world crown in Edinburgh.
And if bosses at Edinburgh International Conference Centre get their way the city could one day pocket the prestigious Snooker World Championship for real.
The EICC's conference facilities already attract some of the biggest names in the business world, and it has been credited with injecting £187 million into the city's economy since opening 11 years ago.
Now bosses there want to build on its business success by bidding to bring international sporting events to its new arena.
As well as staking a claim to host the Snooker World Championship they will also be looking into bringing international boxing, tennis, squash, badminton, and bowls tournaments to the city.
There are also plans to stage the biggest banqueting dinner ever held in Edinburgh at the venue. With a future capacity of 2000 the centre is capable of competing with London for events like awards ceremonies and celebrity dinners.
The likely first year that the snooker championship could come to Edinburgh would be 2009, within a year of the scheduled completion of the EICC's £80m extension.
A new atrium area in the extension to the centre, expected to be completed by 2008, will feature a computer-controlled floor capable of transforming the space from a flat-floored hall to a tiered auditorium at the touch of a button, allowing a variety of big events to take place.
The Snooker World Championship is seen as one of the realistic possibilities. It no longer has a permanent venue as its contract with the Crucible in Sheffield is due to end shortly.
Hans Rissmann, chief executive of the EICC, believes the new extended centre can become much more attractive to members of the public. He says that he wants the average Edinburgh resident to attend the venue several times a year.
He said: "We will be looking at getting in squash tournaments, badminton tournaments, snooker, indoor bowling. We are very keen to bring special events here that are not already in Edinburgh.
"It would be events that run over a period of one or two weeks, like the snooker championship, bringing large amounts of people here each day.
"It would also mean we would get so much exposure on television and in the media. From a PR point of view it would be very attractive and it's worked well for the Crucible.
"It would be great for the people of Edinburgh as well - they could walk to a major sporting event in the city centre.
"We will be trying to negotiate it and we will look at the Scottish [snooker] Open as well. We're ambitious and we want to spar with the best of them."
Mr Rissmann believes that such events would add to the appeal of the city and help bring people in at quieter times of the year.
But he says that despite the success of the Fringe line-up at the EICC - which featured sell-out shows every night by comedians Russell Brand, Bill Bailey and Jimmy Carr - he is not interested in music, theatre or comedy becoming a regular fixture on the events calendar.
He said: "We wouldn't compete against other stages in Edinburgh - the Festival Theatre, Playhouse and King's Theatre all do their thing. For us to go into that type of activity, apart from at Festival time, would be ill-advised.
"Sporting events are different - they are very prestigious and would bring a lot of people to the venue and to Edinburgh.
"They provide a real opportunity for us."
Lesley Stephen, head of the sales team at the EICC, said: "The additional space means we can start picking up bigger events and also allow the bigger conferences, which will still be our core business, to have dining facilities for their delegates."
Alan Miller, a spokesman for Event Scotland, said: "We are always looking to bring quality events to Scotland, especially in 'shoulder months' when there is less on.
"Any addition to the EICC that will provide that flexibility of use that would allow sporting events would be fantastic news not just for Edinburgh but for Scotland as well. It is our aim to try to maintain Scotland's position as a premier events nation. We would be very interested to sit down with the EICC and hear their plans and see how we can work together to bring events to the city."
THE FACTS Since opening in 1995 the EICC has been responsible for bringing 654,132 delegates to Edinburgh for conferences, nearly a quarter from overseas.
It has staged 1972 events, with its main remit being to have a positive economic impact on the city. It has always focused mainly on the business sector and still intends to make conferences its main business.
The total economic impact that the EICC, whose major shareholder is the city council, has had on Edinburgh since opening in 1995 is estimated at £187 million.
In August, it was also used as a major Fringe venue, and every show was sold out.
The new versatile expanded space will be underground and extend to 3255 square metres. It is intended that if used as a snooker venue, the main auditorium would seat 1600 - 600 more than the current Crucible capacity.
John Higgins will reflect on his best-ever performance in snooker when he defends his title in the Royal London Watches Grand Prix next month.
The Wizard of Wishaw stunned Ronnie O'Sullivan 9-2 with a magical display in last year's final. He rewrote snooker's record books by rattling in four consecutive century breaks and scoring 494 unanswered points.
"It was probably the best I've ever played, especially in a big match against a great player like Ronnie," said Higgins. "At the time I didn't realise that I'd set two new records.
"But having found out afterwards, it became something I'm very proud of, particularly when I think of all the great players who have played snooker down the years."
This year's Grand Prix is being staged in Aberdeen for the first time.
"It's brilliant to have a major tournament in Scotland again," added former world champion Higgins. "All the players, not only the Scottish boys, are glad to be coming back here.
"The tournaments staged in Aberdeen in the past were always a success, it's a great venue and the crowds should be good."
The world number four also won the Masters last season and reached the final of the Malta Cup and China Open, but has set his sights on even more success this time.
"At the start of every season you always want to do better than the one before. That will be hard for me but that's my aim and I want to keep moving up the rankings," he added.
The world ranking event runs from October 21-29.
The top 32 players, including world number one Stephen Hendry and world champions Graeme Dott, will be involved.
The tournament has a unique new format. The 48 players will be split into eight groups of six for the round-robin stage. All matches will be best of five frames, with the top two in each group going through to the last 16, when the event reverts to a knockout format.
The round-robin matches will be played on six-tables on a roll-on roll-off basis, so fans will have the chance to see several of the world's top players in action with a single ticket. The new format has been devised to provide a fresh and exciting spectacle for viewers on BBC Sport and spectators at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
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Отправлено: 06.09.06 12:03. Заголовок: Re:
ТРЕВОЖНАЯ НОЧЬ В РИНО.
В США в последние дни бушует непогода. Где-то есть разрушения, а в Нью-Йорке у теннисистов срывается график игр. Казалось бы, что в спокойном штате Невада, да ещё и под крышей казино всё должно быть спокойно. Но нет! Третья ночь принесла целый ряд неожиданных результатов. Да и весь второй раунд напоминал по накалу страстей настоящую бурю. На втором этапе 120 игроков были разбиты на 20 групп, в каждой из которых трое проходили дальше, а неудачники отправлялись домой, получив 7 тысяч долларов (неплохое утешение, но и турнир рекордный по сумме призовых денег). Отбор был жестоким, что и говорить. Не все фавориты выдержали это напряжение. Победитель последнего этапа в Лас-Вегасе Торстен Хофманн и вовсе не добрался до второго этапа. Можно было бы назвать это случайностью, пока не оступился второй финалист - филиппинец Марлон Манало. Из пяти проведённых матчей он выиграл только один. Небывалая конкуренция приводит к тому, что тот же Манало проигрывает никому неизвестному китайцу Хуи-Кай Хсиа и уступает тому дорогу. А вот самый известный из китайских игроков, ставший в прошлом году двухкратным чемпионом мира, Ву Ча-Чин не сумел выйти из группы. К большому сожалению прекратил свой турнирный путь россиянин Евгений Сталев. Начав с двух убедительных побед, он остальные три матча провёл неуверенно и был трижды бит. Соперники были сильны, а Жене не хватило всего одной победы. Несут потери и филиппинцы. Кроме Манало в их стане есть и другие потери, а ведь на первом турнире они выступали лучше всех. Проиграл и Эрл Стрикленд, что, впрочем, большого сожаления не вызывает, если вспомнить его неспортивное поведение в матче с голландцем Ванденбергом в Лас-Вегасе. Не прошёл в третий этап и Майк Сигел, одержавший три победы, но при этом его подвёл неважный коэффициет полезности. В четвёртый день турнира, когда в Москве будет глубокая ночь с 6-го на 7-е сентября, игроки поведут борьбу за выход в число 36-ти сильнейших. Сейчас 60 игроков разбиты на 12 групп по пять, а в следующий этап проходят по трое из группы. Есть несколько групп, в которых конкуренция будет невероятно сложной. Продолжают турнирный путь представители снукерной школы Квинтен Ханн и Тони Дрэго. В отсутствии Ронни О'Салливана, подхватившего инфекцию, к их выступлению приковано внимание многих любителей бильярда, а особенно приверженцев снукера, жаждущих доказательств того, что снукеристы могут успешно играть с асами пула.
(С сайта Евроспорт-РУ).
shual007
Леди Йага
Сообщение: 6981
Откуда: Израиль, Беер-Шева
Отправлено: 06.09.06 19:39. Заголовок: Re:
DOTT ON THE LANDSCAPE 06 Sep 2006 09:45:00
Graeme Dott shot to fame by winning the 888.com World Snooker Championship. Here’s what turns him on and off…
What’s your favourite holiday destination? The Algarve in Portugal – it’s a great place to play golf Favourite food? Chinese Favourite drink? Irn Bru – a good Scottish drink! Favourite TV programme? I love the older comedies, especially Only Fools and Horses Favourite comedian? Peter Kaye Favourite film? I’m a fan of gangster movies, my favourite is probably the Godfather Favourite singer? Frank Sinatra and James Blunt Favourite album? I really likes James Blunt’s Back to Bedlam Favourite actor? Al Pacino ( ) What car do you drive? A Lexus RS What was your first car? A BMW Compact. I went to buy a Fiesta and came back with that! Do you have any superstitions? Not really. I like to eat meals and get changed at the same times before a match, but I expect most of the other players are the same. Do you play any other sports? I’m a very keen golfer, my handicap is 8. My best round is two over. Any other hobbies? I enjoy playing poker online, as often as my wife will let me! Favourite sports team? Rangers FC. My all-time favourite player is Brian Laudrup Sporting hero? Mohammed Ali Favourite snooker venue? The Crucible – of course Career highlight? дурацкий вопрос, имхо.... That’s an easy one – winning the world title What’s the lowest moment of your career? The months leading up to the day when I broke my cue. I was as low as you can be. How many hours a day do you practise? Not as many as some others, usually three or four hours a day. I either play on my own or against John Higgins. Who has been the biggest influence on your career? My uncle George. He gave up a lot of time to take me to all the junior events when I was younger. What advice do you have to budding young players? To enjoy snooker and work hard at it
Шестой день турнира в Рино (США, штат Невада) определил шестерых финалистов, которые поведут борьбу за право участие в главном матче турнира, победитель которого получит невиданный доселе приз - полмиллиона долларов. Состав трёх групп по шесть игроков был настолько сильным и ровным, что определить фаворитов было просто невозможно. Достаточно отметить, что никто из этих 18-ти не прошёл шестой день турнира без поражений и никто не проиграл все встречи. Очень нагляден пример 79-й группы, где победитель одержал 4 победы, а обладатель шестого места - две. На удивление высокая плотность результатов! При этом ряд матчей завершились со счётом 8:7. Значит один единственный фрэйм мог кардинально изменить ход турнирной борьбы. Этой битвы не выдержал Франциско Бустаманте, остававшийся единственным участником турнира, не испытавшим горечи поражений. На этот раз он проиграл аж три матча, одержав две победы. Такие же показатели были у англичанина Бойза, Хсиа из Тайваня и испанца Алкаиде. А вот одержавший на одну победу больше Кори Дьюэл пробился в финальную шестёрку. Победителем этой группы стал Родни Моррис, великолепно проводящий весь этот турнир. Таким образом, в этой группе доминировали американцы, но на этом успехи хозяев турнира завершились. В 80-й группе победил филиппинец Дэннис Орколло (4 победы), а судьба второй путёвки в следующий этап определялась в очном споре двух европейцев - Иммонена и Суке, имевших к тому моменту по три победы. В равном и напряжённом поединке хладнокровие финна помогло одолеть организованность немецкого пулиста. Ральф Суке, который на прошлом турнире был в финальной шестёрке, на этот раз был остановлен буквально в шаге от неё. Из прежней шестёрки в строю оставался ещё и Эфрен Рейс. Он играл в 81-й группе. Ценой больших усилий с тремя победами при двух тяжёлых поражениях (оба со счётом 2:8) он всё же вновь будет играть на последнем этапе. Напомню, что финалисты турнира в Лас-Вегасе Хоманн и Манало, а также Евгений Сталев выбыли из текущего турнира на первых же стадиях). В прошлый раз Рейса подвела банальная усталось - победила молодёжь, а Эфрену ровно 50 лет. Как будет на этот раз? Класс позволяет рассчитывать на большой успех, но по силам ли ему марафонская дистанция по пересечённой местности, да ещё и с препятствиями? Победителем же в этой группе стал опытный немецкий пулист Оливер Ортманн. Последний свой турнир он провалил, зато в Рино его игра смотрится великолепно, что позволяет считать его (наряду с Моррисом и Рейсом) главным претендентом на участие в решающем матче. И в этой группе все 4 остальные участника одержали по две победы. Вот каков был накал борьбы! А неудачниками оказались филиппинец Пагалаян, немец Энгерт, англичанин Хилл и швейцарец Юнго. В составе шестёрки финалистов наибольшее количество побед у Мики Иммонена - 19 (при пяти поражениях), а наихудший показатель у Дюэла - 15 побед, 8 поражений. У Ортманна наибольшее количество "ранаутов" - партий с кия - 81. На втором месте по этому показателю Родни Моррис. Их я и считаю главными претендентами на последнем этапе круговой борьбы. Возможно, этот показатель и определяет истинную силу игроков. (С сайта Евроспорта).
Riba
Сообщение: 1852
Откуда: Моя Родина - СССР
Отправлено: 09.09.06 21:25. Заголовок: Re:
Snooker: Jones in the frame in Wales warm-upSep 9 2006
Staff Reporter, South Wales Echo
Wales scraped a 17-16 win over an Invitation side at Morriston as part of their preparations for the Snooker Home Internationals.
Highlight of the challenge match was the game between two of Wales' brightest stars, world amateur champion Michael White and Jamie Jones, who has qualified for the main tour. Jones came out on top 4-1.
REIGNING champion Ronnie O’Sullivan recovered from a 3-1 deficit to snatch a draw in the first match in the 2006 Betfred Premier League Snooker.
Chinese teenage sensation Ding Jun-hui, who many people are tipping as an outside bet to win the competition, looked like producing a stunning victory and inflicting a rare defeat on the Rocket.
However, O’Sullivan, who won the last two leagues, showed his strength of character as a break of 86 in the last frame rescued a hard-fought point.
“I’m pleased with a draw in the end,” said O’Sullivan. “Ding could have won 5-1, he’s a fantastically talented player and I love watching him play. He’s in the Stephen Hendry league of potting and break building. Ding is a phenomenal player and a fantastic talent.”
O’Sullivan is the bookmakers’ favourites to clinch his third title in a row but also wants to make some history and become the first player to make a 147 break in the competition.
“I’ve never made a maximum in this event so that would be a nice thing to do,” added O’Sullivan.
Ding broke and immediately moved into the lead with a break of 41, despite losing position on the red when he had scored 30 but recovered well as he produced a fine shot to cut the ball into the bottom left pocket.
However, he was soon back at the table when O’Sullivan left a red over the bottom right pocket and a score of 22 left The Rocket needing snookers, which he never collected.
The second frame started in nervous fashion with both players making mistakes before O’Sullivan turned on the style as he raced through the balls to reach the 90s and in sight of an extra £1,000 for collecting a century break.
However, two reds placed on the cushion were always going to be a problem and the break came to an end with the scoreboard showing 98 as the match became level.
The action continued in the same vein in the third but O’Sullivan could not wrap the frame up despite a score of 65 before he missed a tricky red into the left centre pocket while having to bridge over another ball.
Ding, the winner of the first snooker ranking event of the year – The Northern Ireland Trophy – took full advantage of this good fortunate as he cleared up with a break of 69 to steal a frame he should have lost.
That seemed to spur on the 19-year-old from China and a break of 76 in the fourth meant Ding was guaranteed at least a point from this match as he moved into a 3-1 advantage.
O’Sullivan had not been beaten in the Premier League for 20 months since he suffered a 4-2 defeat against Jimmy White in January 2005. The Rocket fought hard to avoid another loss as breaks of 45 and 39 helped him to an 86-16 victory in the fifth to keep the match alive.
For the second time in the match O’Sullivan had a chance of scoring a century break in the sixth frame but missed a shot on a red with the score at 86, although he had still done enough to secure a league point.
shual007
Леди Йага
Сообщение: 7097
Откуда: Израиль, Беер-Шева
Отправлено: 20.09.06 05:30. Заголовок: Re:
PAUL'S BIG NIGHT RAISES CHARITY CASH 19 Sep 2006 18:23:00
Organisers of Paul Hunter's 'Big Night Out' hope to raise at least £50,000 from the star studded charity function in his native Yorkshire last weekend.
The money will go to the NET Patient Foundation which gives help and support to those suffering from Neuroendocrine Tumours.
The only disappointment for guests at the Ilkley Lido was that Hunter couldn’t attend due to ill health. He had been admitted to hospital suffering from dehydration.
In his absence, wife Lindsey gave an emotional speech about their life together and his on going battle with cancer.
It was a moving tribute to the three-times Masters champion who was diagnosed with the disease in 2005.
Fellow snooker professionals Stephen Hendry, Jimmy White, Matthew Stevens and Mark Williams were at the event, as well as World Snooker chairman Sir Rodney Walker.
"Paul is such a popular figure in snooker and it was fantastic to see so many of the other players as well as stars from other sports in attendance," said Sir Rodney. "A lot of money was raised for an excellent cause.
"Paul’s bravery in the face of illness and the work he had done to raise awareness of the NET Patient Foundation shows his true strength of character. I wish him and his family all the best in his continuing battle."
Four times Wimbledon semi-finalist Tim Henman was also there as well as a collection of Yorkshire cricketers and Leeds Rhinos rugby league players.
There was also a heartfelt ’good luck’ message from Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
A charity auction, including VIP passes to the Ryder Cup and a guitar signed by Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, raised an estimated £35,000.
However, by the time all monies have been counted that figure is expected to rise substantially. 2006 WorldSnooker(c)
Duncan Mackay Thursday September 21, 2006 The Guardian
A row has broken out between Sheffield and Edinburgh over where the 2009 World Snooker Championship will be held, after the International Conference Centre in the Scottish capital claimed it would take place there.
But the Yorkshire city insists it already has a contract to host the event. "I personally find Edinburgh's claim puzzling, not only because Sheffield is considered by the snooker world to be the spiritual home of the sport but also because we have just begun a new five-year contract to stage the event," said David Fletcher, director at Sheffield First for Investment.
DOTT HOPES TO PLAY HIS CARDS RIGHT 25 Sep 2006 10:28:00
Crucible champ Graeme Dott is looking to pocket another jackpot when he joins John Higgins and Matthew Stevens in the 2006 888.com UK Poker Open. The snooker stars are among 108 players competing for a total prize pool of $540,000.
Other well known faces at the table will be footballers Teddy Sheringham and Ray Parlour plus Eastenders actor Billy Murray.
The snooker playing trio are tipped to perform well as they can adapt the essential snooker skills to the game of poker. Larkhall's Dott, who scooped £200,000 for his Crucible victory over Peter Ebdon last May, said: “Matthew Stevens won the UK Poker Open in 2004 so it seems that being good at snooker should give me an advantage when it comes to poker.
“As I do in snooker, I will need to know when to hold back and when to take a calculated risk.
“I'm pretty good at keeping my cool in front of green baize but I'm not taking anything for granted though."
This year the Challenge TV cameras will highlight the pressure the 65 top poker professionals, 35 net qualifiers and eight celebrities will be under. The event will be televised on Challenge every weeknight from Mid-October to Mid-November. 2006 World Snooker(c)
Riba
Сообщение: 1906
Откуда: Моя Родина - СССР
Отправлено: 27.09.06 06:06. Заголовок: Re:
Showjumper Mandy cued for inspection
THE wife of seven-time world snooker champion Stephen Hendry will inspect progress at the new Scottish National Equestrian Centre in West Lothian tomorrow.
Accomplished showjumper Mandy Hendry will join fellow rider Douglas Duffin at the Ecclesmachan base to view the first phase of the £4.4 million project. The pair will also meet students of Oatridge agricultural college.
The last time Mandy was on the Ecclesmachan campus was in June, when she competed in the hugely successful Oatridge Horse Trials.
She said: "It was a great competition but the construction of the centre hadn't started then and the site was just a big hole in the ground. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the work is going. The Scottish National Equestrian Centre is a terrific development for equestrianism in Scotland and I'm delighted to do what I can to support it."
The new facility will house an international standard arena with 600 seats, plus a covered warm-up arena, a stable block and a riding performance centre.
Riba
Сообщение: 1969
Откуда: Моя Родина - СССР
Отправлено: 29.09.06 06:24. Заголовок: Re:
Snooker: Swail paired with unknown McCrudden
By Billy Weir
28 September 2006 Matthew McCrudden is the first hurdle for Joe Swail as he begins the defence of his Irish Professional title next month.
The Belfast man takes on the relative unknown at the Spawell Club in Templeogue in Dublin when the Championship gets underway on Monday, October 9.
"I am really looking forward to defending my title in the Spawell this year," said Swail.
"The competition returned last year after a 12-year gap and a lot of people were apprehensive about how it would turn out.
"But thanks to the VCPoker.ie sponsorship, Richie McAuley of the Spawell and tremendous public support, the event was a fantastic success. I am sure that this year's event will be even better."
One of the most eagerly anticipated matches between Joe Delaney and people's champion, Alex Higgins.
The Glasnevin professional will certainly have his work cut out against the five-times champion.
Round One and the Quarter-finals are over the best of nine frames with the semis the first to six. The final is the best of 17 Frames and takes place on Wednesday, October 11.
110sport sets sights on English football stars GUY DIXON
A SCOTTISH sports management business that represents the snooker stars Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan wants to sign up some of England's top footballers.
110sport, which has more than 80 clients from golf, snooker, rugby union, skiing, motorsport and Scottish football already on its books, is opening an office in Birmingham next month and believes English football will be a major source of revenue. The Stirling company's services include finding personal sponsorship opportunities, handling contract negotiations and providing advice on finance, vehicle purchase and leasing, travel and holidays.
It arranges media, sales and marketing opportunities for clients and after-dinner and corporate events.
Lee Doyle, chief executive of 110sport, left the company in 2001 after it was sold to TSN but returned two years later.
He claims that after a period of stagnation before he rejoined, the business is growing fast and he predicts turnover will rise to more than £2m this year.
He said: "We are going forward and this year, for the first year, we can reap the rewards. By the end of this year, we will return a six-figure profit.
"When I got involved, turnover was £800,000. It's now a couple of years from being an attractive acquisition for someone. It's important that we have in place some sort of exit strategy."
Kevin Drinkell, the former Rangers player, set up the company's football management division in 2003, and Neil Murray, who was part of the Glasgow club's treble-winning team in 1992/3, also works for the company.
Doyle said there are around 70 qualified football agents in Scotland and between 400 and 500 in England.
But he said that despite the increased competition south of the Border, there is room for his company, pointing out there are more than 2,100 professional footballers needing representation.
110sport's current clients include former world snooker champions Mark Williams MBE, Ken Doherty and Terry Griffiths.
The European and Commonwealth boxing champion Alex Arthur, British skier Alain Baxter and the Scotland rugby player Ally Hogg are also on the books.
Last updated: 30-Sep-06 00:46 BST несапсем снукерное, но около того
Riba
Сообщение: 2025
Откуда: Моя Родина - СССР
Отправлено: 02.10.06 21:49. Заголовок: Re:
2 October 2006 SNOOKER: WHITE LIFTS HIS BURDEN JIMMY WHITE won his first match in a year to remain in the hunt for a place in the televised phase of the Royal London Grand Prix.
White, 44, defeated Alfie Burden 3-0 in the third of his six group matches at Prestatyn, having lost 3-2 to Tom Ford and 3-1 to Joe Jogia yesterday.
He needs a top-two finish in his group to qualify. It was White's first victory since he defeated Ricky Walden in October last year.
Wednesday, October 4: 5pm - SNOOKER super-coach Del Hill has led England's national amateur teams to an unrivalled grand slam in the recent Home International series. And this triumph makes him the only coach in the game to have won the home internationals at both amateur and professional levels – he coached the England pro team of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Jimmy White, John Parrott and Steven Lee to a Nations Cup victory a few seasons ago. Del was appointed team manager and coach by the England Billiards and Snooker Association only a couple of weeks before the eight-day amateur series began in Wales, at Pontins Prestatyn, and he has certainly made his mark. The Friskney-based guru of the green baize, helped by assistant Nigel Bond, masterminded the senior men's team's unbeaten progress to the Prince of Wales Shield, beating Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland and drawing with Wales. The women's team saw off Scotland, Ireland 1 and Ireland 2 to carry off the Maisie Colquitt Shield and the junior boys' under-16 squad were unstoppable as they brushed aside the challenge of Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to carry off the Mirror Challenge Shield. England's young lions were also roaring at under-19 level, coming out victorious in the series against Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Looking to add more silverware, the juniors proved unbeatable against the four home countries and a strong Pontins select team to carry off the International Cup and the senior over-40 England side proved too strong for the other four home countries and took the Pontins Masters award with an unbeaten record. In the final series of the tournament, for the International Cup, Del's England side had to be content with second place, missing out by one point to a Pontins select team but beating Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, France and Qatar. Del described the teams' performance as "simply awesome". "Considering I had such a short time to work with the teams, they responded magnificently. And one of the greatest things that has happened to me in snooker was when they all chipped in to make a special presentation to me at the awards dinner. "That feeling, and the pride in managing England, is something money can't buy." 04 October 2006
Riba
Сообщение: 2075
Откуда: Моя Родина - СССР
Отправлено: 05.10.06 05:39. Заголовок: Re:
SNOOKER:'Alex Higgins gets wildcard invite'
Alex Higgins makes another comeback bid when he competes in the Victor Chandler Irish Professional Championship in Dublin next week. The twice former world champion has received a wild card invitation to the event at the Spawell snooker club from October 9-11.
Fellow Northern Ireland player Joe Swail defends the title he won 12 months ago, following a 9-7 victory over Ken Doherty. Provisional world number one Doherty, a winner of the Pontin`s Pro-Am grand finals at Prestatyn last month, is also in the line-up.
Swail faces Martin McCrudden in the first round while 1997 Crucible champion Doherty tackles Robert Murphy.
`Hurricane` Higgins lost to Garry Hardiman in his opening game 12 months ago and will hope to go one better when facing Joe Delaney.
Other interesting first round contests include former British Open champion Fergal O`Brien against Dermot McGlinchey, 2004 IBSF world champion Mark Allen takes on Hardiman, while Davy Morris meets Colm Gilchreest.
Morris, an 18-year-old from Kilkenny, recently became the first player to win three All Ireland Senior Championships in a row with a 5-3 victory over Dermot McGlinchey.
Welsh snooker star Dominic Dale went through in the TV stages of the Royal London Grand Prix despite being convinced he would miss out.
Because of the various permutations in the group in Prestatyn, only a 3-2 win for Shokat Ali over Sean Storey meant that 1997 champion Dale would qualify second behind Michael Judge.
Ali duly delivered the 3-2 victory, leaving Dale delighted.
'I must be the luckiest person here,' he said.
'I can't believe I went through and it was agony waiting for that last match to finish.' Dale, who beat John Higgins to win the title nine years ago, was a semi-finalist in the new season's first event, the Northern Ireland Trophy, in August.
He will be joined in front of the cameras by Neath's Jamie Jones, 18, who secured his television debut for the event at Aberdeen, starting on October 21, by finishing second in Group A behind Thailand's Issara Kachaiwong.
John Parrott missed out on a place to 17-year-old Judd Trump, despite winning his final group match.
The other qualifier from Parrott's group was Derby's David Roe, who beat Welshman Ian Preece 3-1.
Riba
Сообщение: 2103
Откуда: Моя Родина - СССР
Отправлено: 06.10.06 06:21. Заголовок: Re:
Snooker: Allen and Greene go through to televised finals
By Billy Weir
05 October 2006 Mark Allen and Gerard Greene secured their place in the TV stages of the Royal London Grand Prix yesterday at Prestatyn.
Both men lost their final group games but their earlier performances in the qualifying booked their trip to Aberdeen.
The new format will continue in the event proper, with both Ulstermen facing tough tests.
Among those in with Allen are World Champion Graeme Dott and Northern Ireland Trophy champion, Ding Junhui, while Greene will be up against Mark Williams and Stephen Lee.
However, Dermot McGlinchey missed out, losing his final game to 1991 World Champion John Parrott, who also fell short of a trip to the ranking event.
Instead, 17-year-old Judd Trump guaranteed himself a debut appearance before the television cameras, where he will face 1997 world champion Ken Doherty.
The other qualifier from 42-year-old Parrott's group was Derby's David Roe, who beat Welshman Ian Preece 3-1 to finish second behind Trump.
Malta's Tony Drago lost his last match 3-1 to Yorkshireman Paul Davison, who qualified alongside Jamie Cope.
Dominic Dale went through despite being convinced he would miss out. Because of the various permutations in the group, only a 3-2 win for Shokat Ali over Sean Storey meant that Welshman Dale would qualify second behind Michael Judge.
Ali duly delivered the 3-2 victory, leaving Dale delighted.
Thailand's Issara Kachaiwong and young Welsh ace Jamie Jones made it through from Group A, while China's Liang Wenbo joined Greene from Group E. Robin Hull, Fergal O'Brien, Ben Woollaston, Andrew Norman and Tom Ford also made it through
18 месяцев назад медики установили страшный диагноз у одного из ведущих снукеристов мира Пола Хантера. Весь снукерный мир поддерживал спортсмена, пытаясь помочь преодолеть вероломную болезнь. Но увы! Этот свой матч Пол Хантер проиграл...Через пять дней ему исполнилось бы только 28 лет... В 10 лет Пол Хантер попал в поле зрения опытного тренера Алана Тригга. Уже через полгода на тренировке он сделал свой первый сенчури. Через несколько лет Тригг передал своего воспитанника в руки бывшего чемпиона мира Джо Джонсона. После ряда громких побед на любительском уровне уже в 16 лет Пол перешёл в профессионалы. Его победа над Стивеном Хендри, блиставшем в те годы, пришла к Полу в полуфинале Уэлш Оупен, когда Полу было всего 17 лет. А первый рейтинговый турнир он выиграл два года спустя. Это опять был Уэлш Оупен. За годы своей профессиональной карьеры Пол Хантер поднимался до 4-й ступени мирового рейтинга. Он трижды выигрывал турнир Мастерс (2001, 2202, 2204), дважды - Уэлш Оупен (1998 и 2002) и Бритиш Оупен в 2002-м. Многие помнят как на Уэмбли Пол Хантер одолел Фергала О'Брайна 10:9, проигрывая по ходу финала 3:7. Можно вспомнить и финал Мастерс, когда Пол уступал Марку Уильямсу 0:5, но в итоге выиграл 10:9. Да и в 2004-м году снова на Мастерс Хантер проигрывал 2:7 Ронни О'Салливану, но проявил волю к победе и завоевал кубок - 10:9. Кроме великолепной игры Пол Хантер многим нравился своим дружелюбным характером, приятной манерой поведения, своей внешностью и улыбкой, наконец. Не случайно его называли Бекхэмом зелёного сукна. Все его коллеги сейчас просто шокированы. Потрясены миллионы болельщиков. Что говорить о семье? Жена Линдсей подарила Полу дочку Эви Розе уже после того, как был установлен страшный диагноз. Сейчас ей всего полтора года... В начале этого сезона специальным решением Полу был предоставлен год на лечение, а рейтинг его, ставший к тому времени 34-м, решено было на это время заморозить. Все надеялись, что Пол вернётся и поднимется к вершинам мирового снукера. Более того, многие считали, что ему по силам стать чемпионом мира. Увы, всё пошло по другому сценарию. За всё время знакомства со снукером русскоязычных болельщиков это первая потеря действующего игрока. Игрока, у которого было множество болельщиков и на постсоветском пространстве. Мы понесли потерю. Потерю, с которой невозможно мириться...
"I’m devastated. Paul didn’t have a bad word to say about anyone in the game and no one had a bad word to say about him.
"He was like Jimmy White in that respect. He loved his snooker, he loved life and he’ll be sadly missed by everyone.
"Paul was just a really nice guy and a great player. When he first emerged on the scene, he had the ability you always thought would eventually result in him becoming a world champion. Sadly he never got the chance to fulfil that goal. But his record, especially in the Masters at Wembley, spoke for itself.
"My sympathies go to (wife) Lindsey and Paul’s parents. He had a golden future ahead of him. This is just the worst nightmare imaginable and puts everything into perspective." Stephen Hendry
"It is a great loss to the sport, but more importantly a great loss to his family. Paul played the game with a smile on his face. I never heard him complain, he was always so happy." John Parrott
"This is a very sad moment for the game. I played many great games against him. Paul made snooker sexy. I’m completely gutted at the news." Ken Doherty
"He was a very flamboyant player, a very attacking player. He had a heart like a lion. I’m sure that he would have been a future world champion. It’s such a sad loss to our game and his family.
"Deep down I think we all thought he was going to beat the disease. Then two or three months ago we realised it was probably a lot more serious than we thought." Willie Thorne
"This is terrible news. I’ve followed his battle closely. We all loved Paul. My thoughts are with his family right now." Alex Higgins Worldsnooker(c)
Sanya
green mama
Сообщение: 324
Откуда: Россия, Белый город над белой Двиной
Отправлено: 11.10.06 07:26. Заголовок: Re:
11 October 2006 SNOOKER: TOURNAMENT 'MUST HONOUR TRAGIC PAUL' Paul Hunter 1978-2006: An unfulfilled genius JIMMY WHITE last night led calls for snooker's Masters Tournament to be named after Paul Hunter.
The Whirlwind spoke out as the sport mourned the loss of the 27-year-old former Masters champion, who died of cancer on Monday night.
White said: "It would be nice for his memory to live on in the game - and what better place than at the Masters where Paul really made his name."
LINDSEY THANKS FANS FOR SUPPORT 11 Oct 2006 17:24:00
Lindsey Hunter has spoken about the tragic loss of her beloved husband
She said:
I would very much like to express my heartfelt thanks to all our family, friends, Paul’s fellow professionals, fans, and the media for their incredible support since we lost Paul. It is an enormous source of comfort to me, and further evidence to that Paul was a very, very special person indeed.
He was also the absolute love of my life, a totally devoted father to our beautiful daughter Evie, and he will always mean everything to us. I hope you will understand that I do not wish to say anymore until after his funeral has taken place, and I kindly request you allow us to grieve in peace and privacy.
Paul’s funeral service will be held at Leeds Parish Church on the 19th October at 2pm. His coffin will lie in wait in the Lady Chapel at the same church from Tuesday 17th October at 9.30pm for the two days prior to the funeral service. A book of condolence will be available for all visitors to sign and pay their personal respects to a wonderful man who brought light and love into all our lives.
The immediate family would prefer to provide the flowers for the church service, but anyone wishing to make a donation to Paul’s chosen charities can send cheques made payable to The NET Patient Foundation, or Kirkwood Hospice, to:
Paul Hunter Snooker c/o 13 Poolcroft Sale Cheshire M33 2LF.
My sincere appreciation to all of you.
Love, Lindsey Hunter.
Paul’s manager and friend Brandon Parker added:
On Monday, the world lost a very special person, and I lost the closest of friends and working companions. Paul travelled the world in his quest to promote his sport, and his country, I was always taken a back by his simple humanity and manners. He had a unique ability to put people in all walks of life at ease and on an equal terms. Paul’s cheeky smile, vogue looks and warm spirit filled rooms, and wooed audiences wherever he went.
He was a ’Champion of the World’ , and snooker will do well to recognise his talent and goals in driving the sport to new levels of competition in a fashionable sporting manner.
11 October 2006 Ulster hopes of bringing the vcpoker.ie Irish Professional Snooker Championship title back across the border ended in a potting frenzy last night.
After a superb day's play at the Spawell Club in Dublin, Mark Allen was left flying the flag when he took on former World Champion, Ken Doherty, in the semi-final, going down 6-2.
Earlier in the day there had been a huge shock as defending champion, Joe Swail, was dumped out in the deciding frame by Kilkenny teenager, Davy Morris.
He belied any nerves to make a 45 break to win the opener, and even when Swail hit back with runs of 51 and 64 to win the next two, he maintained his composure.
The game then turned and Morris rattled off the next three to move one short of a semi-final place but Swail dug deep to restore parity, drawing level at 4-4 thanks to a wonderfully crafted break of 118.
In a tense deciding frame, Morris's break of 35 proved the telling contribution and took him over the finishing line.
Allen reached the last four by ousting Gerard Greene in a dazzling display of cuemanship, coming from 3-1 down to rattle off four frames on the trot in just under an hour to progress.
But the former World Amateur Champion had no answer to Dubliner Doherty who turned on the style in front of his hometown crowd.
The Ranelagh man lost the first frame to a 79 break from Allen, but rattled off the next five, scoring heavily almost every time he got amongst the balls.
His 131 in the third frame became the leading break of the tournament, beating Joe Delaney's 129 against Alex Higgins, but that mark was eclipsed minutes later by Morris in the other semi-final.
Allen delayed the inevitable with breaks of 48 and 45, but a missed red left Doherty in to seal the eighth frame.
Doherty was pleased afterwards: "It's a much better display tonight," he commented.
"Mark Allen is a good player, a good prospect, so it was tougher. I made a few centuries, could have made a couple of more, but I'm just delighted that I'm scoring and into the final."
He will now meet Michael Judge in today's final, after he accounted for Fergal O'Brien and Morris yesterday.
He dropped just one frame against O'Brien and ended Morris's superb run in similarly emphatic fashion, again just losing the one frame.
It lacked the potting fluency of the Doherty-Allen clash but Morris, at only 17, showed his class with a magnificent 132 break to level the match at 1-1.
Judge won the next five frames but Morris should perhaps have taken the fourth and fifth frames. He didn't, however, and Judge weighed in with a 105 break to move himself within one of a place in the final.
He duly got that frame but was loud in his praise of his 17-year-old opponent.
"Davy is a superb player and future world champion in my eyes" he enthused. "His 132 looked so easy. I'll be the underdog against Ken but I'm playing really well and I'm going out there to make up the numbers."
Sanya
green mama
Сообщение: 331
Откуда: Россия, Белый город над белой Двиной
Сообщение: 336
Откуда: Россия, Белый город над белой Двиной
Отправлено: 12.10.06 12:05. Заголовок: Re:
Snooker: Doherty victorious at Spawell Ken Doherty at Irish Pro Championships (Inpho) Thursday, 12 October 10:59 BST Digg This!
Ken Doherty claimed his second title of the season by overcoming Michael Judge 9-4 in the Irish Professional Snooker championships at the Spawell on Wednesday night.
The former World Champion lost out at the same stage last year but recorded the highest break of the competition in the eighth frame of the encounter to ensure victory this time round.
Judge matched his opponent in the early frames, notching up breaks of 53 and 64, but Doherty took a 6-2 lead into the interval thanks to some impressive play in the final four frames of the first session.
But despite the 31 year old snatching the first two frames of the evening action, it was Doherty who went on to claim victory and a winner's cheque of EUR7,000.
"I cherish this tournament," Doherty said afterwards.
"I was on the other end of the stick last year and was getting a bit worried when Mick won the first two frames (of the evening session). He was flying and I didn't do a lot wrong, but I was just delighted to win."
The tournament winner also picked up a cheque of Eur1,000 for his highest break of 140.
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