First Round: Murphy v Allen Masters Snooker

champion by two frames to one. Not a great break off for Mark Allen. Left

Shaun Murphy with this particular red into the right-hand corner

pocket. You said he could have gone up for the blue round the back of

the black and it wouldn't have been so dangerous. A look at what

happened. You can understand his confidence. Funnily enough, if we

look back to the first frame, he missed amidst distance red and hit

it too thin. I would suggest he is cutting slightly and not getting it

through properly. We had the one in the first frame. We can show you

that. Exactly the same thing, hit it too thin. That is usually a sign

you're hitting slightly across the baulk or you're just not going

through as you should. Close to -- those two shots have basically cost

him two frames. Big frame for Shaun Murphy coming up. And for Mark.

Don't know who he is waving at. That was a beautiful break he made. Once

again, we see the wonderful Masters trophy. Waterford Crystal,

beautiful, isn't it? A little grimace from Mark Allen.

Just wanted the cue ball another inch or two Andy would have been

perfect on the black. Just another inch or so and would have been

perfect. Just a safety shot no. Try and get the cue ball up the top. Not

good enough. There is the pot. Can he see down the left-hand side

of the table? He has had a good look. I think you can just about

clip these reds down the left-hand side. The brown would we on. Can

just about get that red. Just catching the brown fool does

not make it a good safety shot. Is there are red that clips to the

right corner? But he has a good target with the green and brown. The

one in the open obviously pots, but he can't get through to it because

the pink is in the way. Needs to mess the brown for it to be any

good. He didn't do. Well, he must have been convinced he

could just get enough of that red. Playing at that pace, you have to be

so precise with the cue. This is not easy. You will need to be good with

the rest. And possibly try and get onto the pink. Decided to put some

pace onto it. Still a good pot. Might have to take the blue into the

right-centre and go into the reds. That could've worked a little better

than that. He can get the rest and play this

red to the right corner. Would he risk trying to bring the black into

play? I doubt it. He needs to manoeuvre the cue ball and avoid

tests on the second red. He is now having second thoughts are looking

at a red is to the left corner. Again, you would be running into

other balls, so no guarantee of a good position with either option. I

think sometimes, Kent, when you look at these situations, you look at

what is the easiest pot. The one thing you don't want to do is miss

the pot on the red. He was looking at this shot, potting this red,

coming off the top cushion and nudging the red away from the black,

but I don't think the angle is they are. Where is the cue ball going? In

a way, he is probably a little fortunate that the red went into the

corner pocket. If it stayed over the corner pocket, it would have been an

nice easy starter. I expect Mark Allen to probably knock this in, but

it is missable. I didn't expect him to miss it, as I

say. Whereas if the red had not gone in the corner pocket, he would have

had an nice easy starter. It just shows you the one of the ball. Shone

very fortunate of it going off, but it didn't cost him -- Shaun. Long

pot success for Shaun Murphy is zero, and when you consider that is

his strength... He got one they are. Might have just found an answer with

a cut on the yellow. Normally a bit too close to the side cushion, but

he might just have a nice angle on the yellow. Good pot. Had pot.

Always a good sign when a player gets the cue ball cleaned. You know

he is taking a pot on for his next shot. Years nicely on this yellow to

get the cue ball down to words the pink and the reds.

He is going to have two judge this double-cross to get the pink into

the centre. Laid it nicely. Now a good chance for Shaun Murphy. The

two reds below the pink spot will go into the corner pocket. And he has

two in the right-hand corner pocket as well.

Just a chance here when potting this red that the two reds below it can

be brought into play. The black is out of position, so he'll have to

concentrate on pink and blue. Deciding he couldn't guarantee

perfect position. For me, that was a chance missed. He sees it better be

down at the table. But those two reds together just above the black

are not in an ideal position for potting at the moment.

Just coming around to have a second look at the red back at the black.

When he played that little red before and he could've nudged those

two reds into play, you wouldn't have to play this precise positional

shot just no. Totally agree. Years having to play one of these reds in

the middle, but it is missable. As I say, he had a chance to just nudge

these into play. 75 still remaining. Nice shot. He is going to need

another good one here. Pink to the right-centre. More pressure. Played

it well. Very well. 46 points ahead, so another couple of reds and

colours. These four frames have gone very quickly. Just under 54 minutes.

Yes, I think it is the snooker everybody loves to see. Not long

bouts of safety play. A few errors. It has been a fascinating first four

frames. It looks as though it will go to the mid-session interval two

peaceful stop this pink will put him in front. More to come. A quick

glance at the scoreboard. Could have done without the kiss on the green.

But he is just about on the blue. He will drop it in and avoid the end

off in the corner pocket. Still a possibility we could see our second

century of the match. Well, just overcut it. No matter.

The defending champion looks a little bit wobbly. In the end, he

got away with that. We go to the mid-session interval two a peaceful

stop well, many people thought this would be a close one. Hope you're

enjoying at home. A dreary January afternoon, but it is never dreary

when the Masters is on. Long potting mistakes have been highlighted. It

shows you the margins are so close. Amongst the balls, he has looked

very fluid. No real clue as to who will end up winning this match. The

last two frames have been very successful. You would expect him to

knock the one in after the fight went in. He might go to the practice

table and take some long pot on. When you see Mark Allen throwing out

a 137, that sends a positive message to your opponent. Mark Allen has

massive strength in break-building. Here's hard -- it is hard to control

the ball is. Any amateurs playing on these tables would feel like Bambi

on ice. Years always dangerous. Quiz question for you and those at home.

Of the top 16 players right now, how many would you guess are in their

20s? Air in mind they have a young man's calendar as there is more long

haul travelling. Very full calendar, you would expect it to be quite a

number. Actually, it is only five. Let's show you why. In the top 16

right now, several players are in the 40s. Four. We have put Stephen

Maguire on here as well. He is playing at Alexandra Palace because

when the invitations were issued just before Christmas. Five of them

are in their 20s, eight are in their 30s. Four are in the 40s. Age it

would appear is something of an issue in Stoker. It is not just use

that not just youthful enthusiasm that get you over the line, it is

experience. It is a subject we have been exploring since the UK

championships at York I added the UK title to my list of major honours.

In 2010, I packed my cue away for the final time at the ripe old age

of 46. Leaving the arena free for the youngsters. The 20-something

generation was already hoovering up major titles and just behind them

was Judd Trump. The prediction that youngsters would dominate was not

based on a few gifted individuals. The landscape of the game changed in

my retirement year. The game was opened up to hundreds from around

the world. Five years down the line, is it now at teenage playground? A

quick look would suggest is not. Those players have the experience

and they are proving day in, day out, they are capable of beating the

younger players coming through. Whilst it is a very exciting time

for the young players coming through now and there is a lot more

opportunity for them, there is also a lot of very good players that have

been for a long time. They are absolutely not guaranteed in any

way, shape or form to be beaten. Ray Reardon used to say that you had to

be in your mid-30s to fill immature as a snooker player. I used to

laugh. Turns out he was right. With the touring and the travelling,

different conditions, all the different things that go into being

a professional snooker player, you have to have that certain amount of

maturity that only comes with age. To progress. This season's UK

Championship was not unrepresentative. The top 16 there

had only four in their 20s, when there were 1930s and four in their

40s. The average age was 34. That is four years older than five years

ago. With seven players in their 20s and Stephen Hendry the only man in

his 40s. Even more surprisingly, it's only a couple of years more

than when I won the tournament in 1991.

Leading the charge of the veterans this season has been John Higgins.

Success in China and that the Welsh Open. A lot of players in their

mid-30s are doing well because they have good all-round game is. You

can't go in there and blast people off the tables. Some of the tables

can play so difficult these days. Judd Trump has had to ring in the

more tactical side. For me, Judd Trump has had to ring in the

experience is very important. I have taken enough defeats and enough

experience is very important. I have to know how to get over the line.

experience is very important. I have with any professional sport, the

statistics don't provide too much comfort for the new kids in town.

The average age of the winners of the last nine events was just under

35. From the period where I was a junior, not that many of them stand

out that are coming through, especially UK-based. I am not

concerned about younger players coming through. I don't think, as

good as they are, they are not any better than what I have had to play

against all my career. The juniors coming through, it will take them a

little while to get the notice to be able to beat us on a regular basis.

Snooker had all the look of becoming brittle potting man's game five or

ten years ago. Because everyone has become so good, it means the wise

old player has been around for a few years can use his skills and keep

the young player at be a little. You see it on the European tour all the

time. The kids coming through, all they want to do is pop balls. They

will have four or five chances to win the frame. With us, it is one or

two chances. The youngsters might need to buy their time until their

mid-30s. Then they can retire gracefully to the golf course or the

commentary box. But there is no guarantee that will happen. I am in

the top 16 and I'm in enjoying it. I will probably never win a tournament

again. That is no problem. If I manage to sneak one win somewhere,

brilliant. I don't see why modern players can beat the old yet. So it

looks like the day of the youngsters will have to wait. It is almost

enough to make you want to get your cue out again. Now, maybe not... So

we talk about youngsters and maturity and there is a shot of Mark

Williams with a spoon on his in 1991, of what was different? It

tells you this is a very hard game. You play for hours and hours and it

takes a heck of a long time to get good at it. When you do get good at

it, it never leaves you. John Higgins made a good point. These

tables are very hard. It is difficult for people to come in and

completely blast you off the table. These tables need respectful stop

good otters, even Judd Trump, has to play the odd safety and take his

opportunities. Shaun Murphy put it nicely. It looked like it would

become brittle potting machine's game, but even Judd Trump had to

adjust his game. At times that has been painful. He seems to be

achieving that balance better now. He has too much talent not to be

doing well. But even Judd Trump needs to respect these tables. Is it

is bunting the future of young champions? Do they just need to

serve their time? There is no barrier to anyone who is good

enough. The bottom line is you have to be good. Stuart Bingham at the

age of 39 became the world champion. He has admitted that since then he

has struggled to cope with the increased expectations of him as a

world champion. Take his record at the Masters, not good. He has only

won one match as wild card in his seven attempts here, and that was

back in 2006. But his opponent this evening, being John way, has had a

very shaky time of it. What has been going on? Steve has been talking to

Stewart. I have never one game here. Hopefully I can that this year.

Looking at the people I have lost two, Marco Fu, you will not get easy

games against him or Judd Trump. I have a tough opponent

this year. The first time I played him at Chris Patton, I'd beaten. I

put some fear into him. It has been pointed out to me that I have one

seven on the trot since 2011. Hopefully that continues. And that

match against Ding Junhui gets under way this evening on the red button.

You can watch it live on the red button or you can watch the

highlights later. Before that, it is all go at the BTO World

Championships. 66-1 outsider, Jeff Smith, is trying

to become only the third known you -- non-European ever to win that

title. But there is plenty to discuss year. And it is Masters

class time. Steve Davis has his cue to hand. John Parrott was talking

about how difficult snooker is. You have to put the ball but also

control the cue ball. Earlier, Shaun Murphy had to pop the pink and play

a little stunned run through to get the perfect position on the cue ball

on the red. He played it fantastically. Let's explain what is

happening on a straight shot with the cue ball when it hits a red or

pink ball. Remember the ball bearings ties? As soon as this ball

stops, the other one starts. You have all of this force is being

transferred into this ball. This stops dead. This happens on the

snooker table. On the cloth, one ball hits another ball, that stops

dead and the other ball goes. Spin on the cue ball determines what

happens to the cue ball afterwards. Is the cue ball arrives at the red

ball with top spin, ones that red ball goes, it stops for a second,

grips on the cloth and goes forward. If it arrives with back spin, it

hits the ball, red ball goes off, back spin grips on the cloth and it

comes backwards. If the cue ball arrives at the red with absolutely

no spin, sliding, that ball goes there and the white ball stays

still. The shot Shaun Murphy played, the stun run through means he had a

fraction of top spin but not too much. A good practice session to do

in a strip club is to put a few balls along a line like this and try

to get the cue ball after potting the red to get to these places. You

judge the amount of spin you're putting on the ball. To get level

with the black, you need quite a bit of top spin and roll the ball

forward. Practice this as many times as you like. Plate with back spin,

try and screw the ball back to this red. First time I have played since

the World Championship last year. Not bad. Now Astana shot. No spin

whatsoever. You must find your position on the ball and judge it to

perfection. Stun it dead. Then the stun run through. Just above the

sponge, a little higher up the ball, see you get the white ball to travel

through an inch after potting the red. The hardest shot some people

say in the game. Once you can control the ball like that, you have

half a chance of playing at a good level.

for Mark Allen. And how the crowd love a century break here.

It is a brilliant shot to have in your armoury, released online

through. Fantastic. He never loses it. Here's quite good. Let's get

back to the match. It is even Stevens. 2-2 in frames as we see the

defending champion Shaun Murphy, and Mark Allen, who has made a 137

break, brightening up our afternoon so far coming back.

REFEREE: Thank you, thank you. Settle down quickly, please. A few

shouts and a few whoops and hollers. Playing for a place in the

quarterfinals. A few people getting back to their

seats. REFEREE: Frame five, Mark Allen to

break. And a very good break this time from

Mark Allen. And for once, the black is in the

open. That doesn't make this shot for Shaun Murphy any easier. He

might try and what the red on the right-hand side but he will be

lucky, if he misses it, if he gets away with it. I think he will be

pretty pleased with that outcome. Quite a difficult shot, played as a

shock to nothing. At first glance, doesn't look like he's left anything

for Mark Allen to the left-centre. The black is in the open and there

is a red that is tempting on the left-hand side of the table as we

look at it, it is a tough hot, but if he knocked it in he would be on

the black. -- it is a tough pot. I don't think there is any other red

he can see, to be honest. He could play safe fact red. But that is

risky. He would have to play it with an awful lot of right-hand side. He

is tempted. Decision time. One out of five at the moment with his long

potting. That is why he gave it a lot of thought. He didn't really

fancy at what he thought it was the shot to play, and the worst possible

outcome. He has left his opponent with an easy start.

The red above the black go into the corner pocket. And the one just

above it, as well. Now, looks like he's going to go

into the pack of reds here. Putting some pace on it. It is not too bad.

Try to hit the middle red of the bunch. Through the gap. Just trying

to miss that one, and hit the next one. It has worked out OK.

He has just overdone that a little, so he will have to go back up for

the blue. On the hour Mark, it has been

excellent snooker so far. He's playing with top spin, so he is not

playing the cannon. So maybe that cluster of reds in the middle of the

table, the top one will go to the right corner. Once again, he has not

really got the perfect angle on the blue. Hampered slightly by the pink.

But it shouldn't make the pot too difficult. Still has to control the

cue ball. Now, he does not want to be too

straight on this red. If he is, this is tricky, and it is very straight,

as you can see. He will be looking to screw back and hit the red that

is on the top cushion as well, and be on the black, and that is exactly

what he has done. He has put the red interplay. Couldn't have played it

better. Really good shot. You have got to be so accurate with those. He

judged the cannon to perfection. He tried to get on that red that you

were talking about. OK, the hand went up, there was a gesture to say

sorry. You can see the cannon, bringing this bottom red interplay.

This will certainly open up all the reds. Lovely shot, beautiful. As you

say, he had a bit of good fortune, bit of luck. But he will take full

advantage of it. Because it can always turn the other way. Just red

an black needed to get to the snooker is required stage now.

It has been a litany of good breaks so far, 50 in the first, and now 77

and counting. This is good stuff, a good start to the tournament.

He's going to need that red close to the pink if he is going to go on and

make a century in this brain as well. Plenty of room behind it,

plenty of opportunity from potting the red and the next colour. He has

played for the pink, or he is not going to be on it.

Well, he tried support the blue and develop the red. He has missed the

blue, not a century, but he puts another frame on the board and goes

into the lead once more against the defending champion Mark Allen, now

leading 3-2. A couple of shots in that frame, particularly the opening

red, OK, Shaun Murphy was in trouble, but he pushed the boat out

and decided to take this red on but there was a lot at stake when he

missed it, of course. Once again, he hit the red too thinly. That was the

type of shot, the way that the balls were situated, as I mentioned at the

time with the black in the open, that he has got to be very careful,

when playing that type of shot, and it cost him dear. Mark Allen did

have a little bit of good fortune during the break. He played a lovely

shot, just potting this red, and he has to judge this cannon on the red

top cushion, bringing it into play, but then he is trying to get the red

that is almost on the pink spot, the top of the bunch, into the

right-hand bottom corner pocket. Now watch what happens when you post the

black. He does not get the desired side spin on the cue ball to miss

the pack. His hand goes up because he has nudged the red into play, and

when he potted it he brought the other five reds interplay and went

on to develop a nice break of 91. So much for putting the hand up to

apologise. Shaun Murphy playing catch up once

again. Six, the target, remember. I think that tells a story. Pot

success for Shaun Murphy, 82%. It has got to be 90% or above. He is

lucky to be just one frame behind. APPLAUSE

Perfect length. He needs to catch this just right.

He needs to Mr brown for it to be a good shot, and he hasn't. -- he

needs to miss the brown. Long potting has not been his forte. One

out of six at the moment. It tells me that he thinks he can get

position on the black. Seven between cue ball and object

ball. -- 7'11". Maybe just overcompensated there. Did play it

with top spin to get back up onto the blue. One that you would expect

him to knock in. It can upset your confidence when you are not knocking

those ones in. Mark Allen has not capitalised. Another little tester

for Shaun Murphy. Black looks like it is on, into the right-hand corner

pocket. He will try and hold for it. Well, it went in. He is not

perfectly on the blue, but still nicely on the green.

He is coming now to have a look at that red, is it pottable behind the

black into the corner pocket? Got to be dead behind it. If you were

straight on it you would not fancy missing it. But it is just

off-street. He could certainly run the red into the black. If he can

get that red away from the black then the black can go into both

corners and it gives a good break-building chance. Doesn't want

to risk it. He cannot play for the black now.

The problem is, he keeps having to manoeuvre that tubal distances. As

it happens, he is absolutely plumb on the blue. There is the line of

the blue. This is the beauty of having this 1- table situation. We

can give you all the shots, all the angles.

Doesn't look like he is convinced that red pots to the right-hand

corner pocket. The red directly above the black, does pot, or the

red that is to the right of the black.

He has gone for the red just by Whitley above the black. Just watch

the cue ball. He has got to put a lot of top spin into this. And this

could go wrong. He has got to be most careful when you post this red.

Yes, potting the red is paramount. And it could go in, but he has had

no luck. And what has made it worse, there is a red near the baulk

cushion so there is no safe area up that end of the table. He may have

to play a pot here. Not one he would like. I don't see where any safety

shot comes from here. The blue, if he could creep past the red, you

could see him taking it on, but that is awkward. He is now looking at the

yellow. He is hampered by both reds for the blue. The yellow, at least

he has straight cueing, with no balls in the way. That would

probably be my choice, but it is fraught with danger. He has decided

on the yellow. There is no safety, so he has decided to take this on.

It is a big shot, that. As I said, he had to take it on, because there

was no real safety. Although, in saying that, it doesn't look as if

he has left anything easy. This red will cut, but the cue ball will be

travelling loose. There is no realising where it will finish. In

it goes. The click on the green. Don't tell me he's going to finish

perfectly on the black, Izzy? -- is the? Shake the head. That would have

a result. -- a shake of the head. Mark has an easy safety.

It needed to be a thin contact, a miss called, and the ball was

replaced. It is one of the circumstances were Shaun has got to

hit the red very thinly to get a good safety. If you miss it again,

three times, you lose the frame. This is the shot that he is trying

to achieve. Sometimes, the first couple of times... The first time as

a guide, the second time you are expecting to hit it. The next time,

if you don't hit it, you lose the frame. We will hear the warning now

from the referee. REFEREE: I have got to warn you, you

have got to hit it this time all you forfeit the frame. "Thanks". And the

first person to lose a rule under this -- to lose a frame under this

rule is sitting right next to me! Cheers, John! It is always a

pleasure working with you! So, do you risk it? He is trying to get act

to baulk. Can you believe it? REFEREE: Foul, and a miss, and the

frame. It is such a hard rule. But the players know what the situation

is. I cannot believe he has missed that. Can you believe it? Waterway

to lose the frame! Unbelievable. I cannot believe that he has played

that shot the third time. But, would he have played a short onto the red,

even? -- played the shot onto the red?

If he had possibly not left the shop for Mark Allen. Of course, you see

all kinds of problems when you are in that situation. He could have

attempted to play the containing safety. But this was the last mess

and it cost him the frame. With all those raids on, you think, how can

anyone lose the frame just by missing the ball three times? You

have got to err on the side of it being a little bit thicker, surely.

To miss it three times, unforgivable, and the scoreboard

says it as well. He is now two brains behind. -- frames behind.

REFEREE: Thank you, settle down, please, frame seven, Mark Allen to

break. Mark Allen gets frame seven under way. What a bonus that was.

Didn't have to do anything. Just played one good safety. That was

all. And it wins the frame. It is a tough rule. It is a tough rule, but

it will be interesting to see how he copes with it now.

APPLAUSE How about that? Under extreme

circumstances, that was absolutely majestic.

The pot looked easy. And in all fairness, was. But he was not

certain he was going to be on the red. He was just trying to drop it

in and hoped to get a nice little cannon. If it had been another inch

from the side cushion, the Blackwood have been unmissable. But now, what

the chance for Mark Allen to press home the advantage. -- what a

chance. He wanted to be straighter on this

red. Because he wasn't, he had to play the little cannon and he has

not played it very well at all. It could be end of break. Even if he

pots the black there is nothing portable into the right-hand corner

pocket. So maybe just the safety shot here. He will be kicking

himself. At the moment, he has got Shaun Murphy on the rack.

And it may need a little bit of a safety belt for Shaun Murphy just to

clear his head a little, because when you lose a frame in the manner

that he lost the last one, the first one, it was quite a long way away.

In the interval he was looking over to Mark Allen. If he thought the cue

ball was just drifting over slightly, then you make an

allowance. Very hard to understand a player of his ability and long

potting prowess that he cannot hit a ball just less than quarter. He was

gesticulating to Mark Allen that it was drifting over slightly, but if

it was, then you just make an allowance. Anyway, he is snookered

here. Not guaranteed to get this safe. Personally, I would prefer to

come down the left-hand side of the table. Does he played with pace off

two cushions? He is. And the fact that he is snookered on all of the

balls, he can have as many goes as he likes, but this... Easier for

Mark Allen not to have the balls replaced.

I always feel with this shot, when you are playing the two cushions

gone, you feel more comfortable if you play it with a trace of side of

being close to the cushion, it is not that easy to get the side on.

He has played that pretty well. I think a pot is this corner pocket. I

don't know if he, being a left-hander, can reach this.

He certainly can reach it. Well, he's not perfect on the colour. But

the way the balls are situated on the way the rouges are spread, one

good pot here could give him a frame-winning chance.

This could win him the frame, this pink. Right in the heart of the

pocket, so the frame is there for the taking. A wonderful shot with

the rest, perfect on the rouge just above the blackmail. In the previous

shot, the red in the corner pocket just got through the ball. Spread

the reds into pottable positions. A great chance for 5- to hear. -- four

I- 2. There is a little gap between the

reds, if he could hit the red to the right of the pink, can not full in

the face, you would have a choice of reds. Didn't get the cannon Wright.

Always knew that there was a chance of being on the red to the left

middle but that cannon was not what he played. He wanted to get the one

further up but, as I say, always had a second prize with this red to the

middle. Still a great opportunity. To take a three frame advantage.

And more importantly, B1 frame away from victory.

When he gets to 69 points, Snickers will be required from Sean. Once

again, he played a cannon on that same red, funnily enough, and didn't

get it right. Needed to hit that red 4-ball and it would have been

perfect. Making hard work of this. And the red directly above the black

doesn't pot into this pocket so he's going to have to pull out a pot here

and there are two tricky reds and then the red down into the

right-hand corner pocket is tricky. The red that is on the top cushion

as we look just behind the black is a very dangerous to the left-hand

corner pocket. Of course it is in the players' mind

that this was a golden opportunity to win the frame at this visit so

this is where a player has a tendency just to push the vote out.

He has a 51 point lead. You don't have to play the pot but, as I say,

you felt when he was in amongst the balls that this was a chance to win

it so he has taken this tough red on.

And in it goes. A rescue shot for Shaun Murphy, now fearing the worst

as he won't get back to the table with a winning chance in this frame.

And at last, he gets the cannon. So red, colour, red will be enough.

So, 67 points the lead, 67 remaining. No heroics with this red,

just drop it in, then two smokers will be needed. -- snookers.

So, can, it goes without saying that Shaun Murphy, defending champion,

has got it all to do now. Absolutely, particularly the way

Mark Allen is playing now as well. How crucial will that frame be for

Shaun Murphy? The turning point in the match so far.

Already made high breaks of 137 and a 91 in frame five. Didn't have to

do anything in the sixth frame because it was gifted to him. That

wiped its feet. So, yellow and green would be enough

to get to the century mark. Well played. Second century of the

match. APPLAUSE

Ran out of position a couple of times but his opening red was the

key to this. Tremendous opening red. Good shot with the rest on the pink.

Well, it didn't really matter about the blue. Shaun Murphy's back

against the wall, the defending champion. Mark Allen just one frame

from victory. HAZEL IRVINE: What a turn of events

and what a way to lose that much. This is almost inextricably. What

was going on? The one thing they tell you when you play this shot is

that you cannot get it thick because you have to lay the cue ball down.

You have a look at it and try to edge on the thin side but obviously,

too thin. There is a possibility that the ball rolled off a fraction

and Shaun Murphy would have been aware of that. So his third attempt,

he's tried to allow for that and perhaps aim a bit thicker but it's

still rolled off, or he's mis-hitting shots fractionally, and

we spotted a couple of long shots that had gone astray, one into one

pocket where he missed it wide, one into the other pocket where he hit

it thick, so that's sometimes a sign that the player is giving a

fractional amount of accidental side when he hits the ball and perhaps

arguably for Shaun Murphy, he is getting a bit of right-hand spin on

the ball that he isn't aiming for. The press office assures us that is

the first time it has happened in the Masters under the new rule but

not the first time in snow-covered stop in fact, Steve, it happen to

you and to you, John. What were the circumstances of yours? Mine was

against Ken Doherty in the Irish Masters and I lost the match. You

just don't believe that you can play a shot three times as badly but it

can happen. A bit of pig-headedness. It happened to me. The ball went

straight for a ball and went right. I lost a frame as well. It is so

annoying when you do it and you think, why have I done that?

Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and see if you can play a

more containing one but at this level with the standard so strong,

Patsy bought, "I've got to play this and commit," but it is a horrible

way to lose a frame and a big shock to the system. -- shock. It may have

cost him the match. That was a big bonus to mark. He needs one more to

knock out the defending champion. KEN DOHERTY: One more frame for a

place in the finals. He is not pushing the vote out. Certainly

going to keep the pressure on his opponent. There is the exchange.

Maybe Shaun Murphy is saying to Mark Allen that the ball had drifted a

little bit. Mark Allen saying thank you. Very pleased to get a frame

that easy. It happened to me in the Irish massed is. I was playing Steve

Davis and he missed a final red three times and it was the final

frame of the match as well. Subsequently lost the match. I don't

know whether that's ever happened since. John Virgo:

Didn't you lose a frame Bhoys it was the World Championship. A good

decision, that one was. On the surface, Shaun Murphy looks

cool, calm and collected. What he's feeling like underneath, I don't

know. This is not the start he was looking for in the defence of his

title. And he's going to have to get to the stage now where it is no

mistake snooker. He just hasn't looked on it from first ball and

those couple of long pots may be just shook his confidence in the

first frame. When he's got in around the balls,

in amongst the pink and the black, he's looked OK but it is the

mid-range balls that really test you. He's been given the chance

here. That red has just crept past the blue and left Shaun Murphy a

nice easy starter. This could give us a little clue. OK, the black is

tied up but he's still got the ball colours, blue and pink, to work

with. But that what successful someone like Shaun is very low. When

you consider his potting strength, you wouldn't say his safety play is

his strength, it is his potting. Safety success should be higher from

both players. Shaun Murphy now in a situation - no mistakes, can't

afford to miss when he's in, and that's not the best positional shot

on the blue. Wrong side of the blue. That means he can't get close to the

next intended red as he would like to be. Just the wrong side. The

problem is, if he tries to roll it out of the Borg, the yellow comes

into play. Just deciding to drop the blue in

and leave this red but when you are just one frame away from defeat,

things are testy. Cute it beautifully. Well played. Very well

played indeed. Yes, and played it confidently to

stay on the pink. Can he get through to this pink when

it goes back on its spot? He can get to the one on the top cushion. No

harm done. When he's in this position, as he

was the couple of friends that he has won, he's looked as good as

ever. It's just these few safety shots and particularly the couple of

long pots that he's missed that gave Mark Allen easy opportunities to get

frames on the board. As you say, John, every shot is

crucial for Shaun Murphy. Mark Allen has a little bit of leeway. He knows

he's going to get a couple of chances.

We've just had a look at the two reds. They both pot into this

left-hand corner pocket. He could have played that little bit

better. Straight would have been ideal but he's got to be careful if

he runs into the other red that he doesn't affect the position. They

did flick of the other red. Needs to run. Has he got the angle on the

blue? Just about. Makes all the difference. And didn't take you that

well? That was beautiful cueing. -- didn't he cue that well? As you say,

he is cueing well when he's in the balls. It's just some of his

long-distance shots haven't been great. He wanted a better angle on

the pink than this. But such is the cube power of Shaun, no problems.

Looking for red, colour, red, because I don't think he can play

for the black and if he plays for the pink, that will put him 67

points in front with 67 remaining. Well, he tried to get on the black.

He's not on the black. So he'll have to play the difficult pink and still

looking for one more red. If he could have got on the black, that

would put him in the snooker is required stage. Two ways he can play

this. He can play it up into the green pocket or just try and make

sure it gets into the right centre. APPLAUSE

67 ahead now, with just 67 remaining.

APPLAUSE Well, decent contribution from Shaun

Murphy but this frame is still not over. OK, a tall order for Mark

Allen. Even more difficult if he's not on this red over the yellow

pocket. Well, he didn't feel as though he

could do much with that red but, of course, that now means he needs

Snooker. It is usually a ticket not to concede when an opponent is at

the table. He said, don't bother with the rest

and extension, I will give you the frame. So that was a good response

from Shaun Murphy. He's still up against it, obviously, but well

played. Still trails 5-3. HAZEL IRVINE: Still looks calm and

relaxed, as he usually does but having gone through all of that

drama earlier wrong, how does that mistake make you feel for the frames

thereafter? I think it rocks you, certainly, and

it can take the wind out of your sails and all of a sudden, Shaun

looked a bit befuddled and not firing. But obviously, at some

stage, he's going to knock a few balls, which he did, and excellent

red to keep the and that does help. But even so, that one frame is so

much of a difference in the context of the match. He would have had a

better chance in that frame if he played the safety shot. It's hard

not to feel flat. John, when you think back on the occasion you did

that, can you remember the circumstances there after and how

you reacted and coat? The next frame, you are definitely thinking

about it and sometimes you could do with an interval coming if you did

it in a match so you can get out and blow off a bit of steam with your

pals in the interval. It rocks you for the next frame but the situation

he's in here, he's got to forget about it fairly quickly because he's

in last chance saloon. The cue action freed up. He looked great. He

looked good when he's closing but he botches a couple of mid-range balls

that were really good and well struck. It is a situation where you

know it is your last chance and it is desperation and you think, I've

got to start potting a few balls to turn this much around, and he was

impressive in this frame. He is doing the chasing. This Sunday last

year he was up against Mark Selby and was 5-1 up and he somehow

conspired to lose the next four and went to a decider and Murphy came

through to win it. Suddenly he is the man under real pressure here.

What can he summon in this situation that we've seen on previous

occasions? What we know about Shaun is that he likes a challenge. He's

not afraid of trying to be the hero on the day and if he gets a bit more

inspiration by winning the next frame, then perhaps it is all

forgotten. He's a heavy scorer and if you are going to win a match from

this, you have to score heavily. You do, and when you look through his

breaks so far, 68, 65, 67, the most sizeable contributions that Murphy

has made this afternoon and by his own very high standards, that is

reasonably low. I wonder what we are in for now in frame nine.

JOHN VIRGO: That is a fair point about the scoring ability of the two

players. When you look at the breaks Mark Allen has played, 50, 137, 91,

104, that is top drawer scoring and that is the type of contributions,

as John said in the studio, that Shaun Murphy needs to raises

standards to. -- raise his standards to. Played that very confidently.

There was no air of the shot for nothing in that one. He played at

such a pace he was bound to be an blue or baulk colour. OK, flicked

the red which is loaded up and he is the wrong side of the blue but as I

always say, you would rather be well the wrong side of the blue than just

off straight. But, as I say, in this situation,

you cannot afford to miss, particularly when you are in.

KEN DOHERTY: Well, pink pots past the green into the top right-hand

corner pocket. The only problem for Shaun is the pink may get tied up

when it is re-spotted and the black is tied up, so a lot of work to do.

Well, he could play a couple of shots here, maybe pop the red and go

round the back of the black and go for the blue or baulk. Wants to try

to develop the red here. He's got a nice angle on the red into the

bottom left-hand corner pocket. Cue ball, a bit of bottom on the cue

ball could career him into the red, black, and maybe bring the black

into play if he wishes. He wanted to bring the black and the

red into play, didn't he? A lot will depend on where this black goes. If

it doesn't go in its own spot, that red may just be available. It is

hard to tell at the moment. Does the black go in its own spot?

It has to go in a direct line with the middle of the top cushion, which

tells me that that red could possibly be pottable. I'm never

quite certain what that is, you know. Does that mean it goes on? You

would think of that cross was right in the middle of that mark, it would

go on, but it doesn't. It can't be touching the red.

Shaun is just having a look round now. He doesn't want this red and

black to be a plant to the corner. It looks very close to being one. So

if he does try to play the cannon, he's got to be careful he doesn't

hit that hard enough for the black to go in the corner pocket. Again,

nice angle on this red. A cross into the red and black. It needs to

bounce. He couldn't play it any harder. There was always a fear that

if he caught it wrong he could have knocked the black in but this is a

tricky one now. Just got to drop this in. He just needed that black

to bounce a fraction. Couldn't do much with the cue ball

so he couldn't get the cue ball as far away from the cushion as he

would like, so this is another test. Cannot afford to miss when he's in

the balls like this. Good cueing again and a lovely angle

on the black now. Stun up into the two red above the black to try to

split more reds into play. That's OK. He's got the red into the

centre. Nice angle again on the black. He

could play the cannon again just in and open. He's got the reds to the

right of the blue and he decided to take the no risk route. Now, can he

play this red and leave himself a nice angle on the blue? He is down

quick, so obviously he can. Now, this could be the key to this frame.

He will be playing the cannon this time but you always need a little

bit of luck that the reds come out nice. That red just above the pink,

hit it full in the face... In it goes and he's on the red. Superb.

APPLAUSE Lovely shot. Got the red plum on.

Perfect. Has been a good response, hasn't it? I was just going to say,

are you reading my script? You cannot help but be impressed by the

response from Shaun, after what happened in the frame when he

conceded by missing the ball 3 times. Then Mark Allen in the next

frame made 104. That looked a bit wide, but just

lacked that pace. A bit more pace and I don't think that would have

dropped. That puts the frame well and truly

in the bag, you would have thought. 2 snookers needed to tie for Mark

Allen. As you said a few moments ago, when you have a lead on Mark

Allen, you always feel you will get a couple of chances to clinch the

frame. But this is a tremendous response from Shaun. Maybe a bit of

doubt creeping into Mark Allen's mind. He's looking on. The last

couple of frames gave him great confidence. 67 in the last, was just

about enough. But this will make him feel good and give him that it of

confidence and knowing that 1 chance he gets, he will win the frame from.

But the 1st few reds and colours in this break was superb will stop the

way the pink was tied up, the way the black was tied up and he

developed them so nice, indeed. The crowd have been in for a wonderful

treat this afternoon. This red will make it another century. It has been

a high-quality match. Not without incident. Well played, Shaun Murphy.

APPLAUSE He missed the black but he won't be

too disappointed. He has got a century but more importantly has

another frame. He has pulled 1 back and is only 1 behind now with the

Mark Allen still leading 5-4. STUDIO: This title hasn't been

successfully defended since 2002. Cliff Thorburn, Stephen Hendry and

Paul are the only ones to have done it. What a turnaround, John? It is

tremendous, the psychology of this sport. But then you get the bit

between your teeth and it focuses your concentration. Last chance

saloon. You get fully focused. If you get to 5-5 and you think you are

going to match it and then the pressure is back on you. Is it not

beginning to do that already? It could do, but Mark Allen is thinking

it is a match he could have got out of the way and now he is embroiled

in a battle. From 5-2 in front, Mark Allen will have thought I will get a

few attempts at getting over the line. What John was saying, the way

Shaun Murphy can score so well, in those 2 coming he hasn't a sniff.

More panic will have set in the normal because he hasn't had his

chance. Are we in for a decider? Let's find out.

COMMENTATOR: Pick heavy-handed with the break-up shot from Shaun. The

last few frames coming he cannot afford any mistakes. This is 1. This

red needs rotting. He is not taking it on. Is it a 3-ball plant? It

wasn't. Can't believe he didn't take that red on. OK, I don't doubt the

safety and I don't doubt the quality of the length, but are refusing red

like that? Don't want to go too much in your shell.

He has covered it, but it looks pretty straightforward of the

question 1st. The only problem is, the cue ball is going to be heading

towards black and red. May get a little bit of luck. Will have to hit

this with a lot of pace. Doesn't seem to have the angle to get back

up for the blue or baulk. He has found a little gap. He will

certainly be happy with that result. Well... He was a long way away from

that. What's worse is coming he has freed up the red and black. Have a

look at this, John. He put a lot of right-hand side on it, but pushed

the cue ball away from the object ball. What amazes me he can play an

attacking shot like that but refused a half ball red on his 1st visit to

the table. Maybe just not thinking and maybe Steve Davis alluded to in

the studio, a bit of panic setting in. When you are 5-2 in front, you

can be forgiven for thinking this game is in the bag, but never take

anything for granted. Particularly not at this level and this quality

of opposition. Shaun, just about getting high enough. I am sure the

pink wool part. -- will hot. It clearly does. Good cueing needed.

Right in the heart of the pocket. He hasn't weakened under the pressure,

Fairplay. Played that wonderfully well, didn't he. His parting success

was down to 81%. At 1 stage it was rising rapidly. Still a lot of work

to do. The fact the pink spot is covered,

this helps his cause. Nice angle on the pink after potting this red now.

Leave it low. Pink into the corner. Try and bring some more red 's into

play. He will be guaranteed to be on a red over the bottom right pocket.

Has got too much into it, but he is still OK. Can he still get through

to this red when the pink is re- spotted? Supplies at -- surprised he

played it so hard. Thought he could have played it more generally to

bring the black into play. Only needed a few more reds in. Did need

to play it with so much screw. Just done it into the pack of reds. --

stun. He has used the other red nicely. Very well controlled.

Just use the red. Got to catch it full ball, almost. Was the situation

it was perfect to play, that shot. It just shows you! Once again, we

have seen a few balls knocked along the question. I thought with the

angle he had with the pink, he could play for the red on the top cushion.

Trying to force the pink to make an angle which was almost impossible.

But he didn't want to play for the red along the top cushion. He cannot

afford to miss now when he is in amongst the balls and that is

exactly what he has done. Here is the chance for Mark Allen. This is

the chance he has been waiting for. Excellent red to even get close to

the black and get it back on the spot.

Both players are feeling it a little bit now. He wasn't missing those

earlier in the match. Didn't see it coming. Just like Shaun, trying to

pinch a bit. Shaun was trying to pinch a lot. Mark was just trying to

stun down for the black. Needs 1 good shot here, the black. Doesn't

have to use too much screw. Just judge this nicely. Has worked out

nicely now. He has got a read. More importantly he can play position on

the black. He didn't want to be going up to the baulk end.

We have seen everything in this match so far, John. Some great

century breaks. Both players are really feeling it. That was ahead

scratcher. It looks like the pockets have

shrunk a little. Sometimes, these players make it look so easy. Yet,

anyone who has ever tried to play this game, especially on these match

tables, you know how tight the pockets are. They have got to be so

accurate. They make it look so easy, most of the time. It is not looking

so easy now. He has had a look at these 2 read that are close

together. It looks almost set into the corner pocket. -- 2 reds. That

is unmissable. Doesn't have to do too much with the cue ball. Just run

through to the black. Got to play the plans, surely? -- plans.

It is there. Got a double-kiss on the red. He is on the black. But it

is a thin coat. He just caught the 1st red twice and that why he's not

perfect on the black. But he has got it. After some of the balls that

have been missed, there was lots of pressure on that. Still has a bit to

do. It has been so good with the rest.

91% now with the rest. Has only missed 1 from 11.

Once again, refusing to play for the red along the top cushion. And he is

not perfect here. He has got a pot on a couple of reds. But it is not a

straight forward position. Mark Allen will be wondering what has

gone wrong. Looks like he's going to have to go

for baulk here. He is thinking about using a lot of

right-hand side to hold for He is thinking about using a lot of

black. But, he might be better going Would you believe it? Indecision,

wasn't it? Indecision, that was the problem. OK, he's covered the red

over the corner, but it is easy to knock 1 red onto the other and stand

back for the green brown. That was nice, the other 1 handing over the

pocket. Still a lot to do for Mark Allen. A few awkward balls to

content with here if he is intending to win this frame and match with

this visit. He is contemplating taking the blue. Potting the green

but bringing the blue into play. He was just looking at the score.

Decided against it now. Played that well. Always tricky when

a ball is in the George of the pocket to judge the reaction of the

cue ball. Played it perfectly. -- jaws of the pocket. 20 points

behind. We have seen a couple of times,

Shaun Murphy has made things awkward for himself by not wanting to play

for this red along the top cushion. Mark Allen is playing for it. The

great difficulty is more so if it is just off the cushion. If it is tight

to the question, you don't fancy missing it. And it is tight. I am

very surprised at Shaun Murphy when he had two opportunities to play for

that red, didn't. Looking at the scoreboard, Mark Allen. He could lay

the cannon after potting the black into the blue. It will hold for the

red in the opposite middle. Big target to hit the blue from the

black here. Needs a bit more pace. A bit more pace he would have

wrought the blue into play and the red would have been in the opposite

centre. He is going to need that Lou to win this frame.

He has brought the red in. 3 points behind. We know, if you can lay a

good snooker at this stage of a frame, how much value you can get

out of it with the misrule. It is straightforward. 1 question,

possibly 2. May hit the question before the red. Doesn't want to hit

it too hard. It's not too bad. He can play a delicate little shots,

Mark Allen. Just done the red. -- stun the red.

Nice shot. Would have referred to have that red in the open. Could

have played it a bit harder. The red in the open. The Shaun Murphy,

playing a dead weight, not going to leave it on.

The 1 thing he needs is distance between cue ball and object ball.

You are keeping the advantage. He got in-off the 2 cautions. But for

the bump in the middle pocket, the red would have run say. New can see

the disappointment on Shaun's face. Chance of a part here for Mark

Allen. Just getting the feeling at the

moment, anything half difficult for Mark Allen, you don't fancy him

getting it lashed out there was a bit body movements on the red.

Thought the cue ball was going towards the blue. But is why he

played it with a lot of pace. It hasn't worked out too bad where it

has finished. It is not going to be that easy to get it said. You would

think you would like to send the red in between the blue and green, but

the problem is with that you could be sending it towards this corner

pocket up at this end of the table. Cross double is dangerous. It takes

a little bit of Russia off because the yellow is not on its spot and

not in a good position. You wouldn't want to leave your opponent the 1st

chance at this red. Coming up to a minute's thinking time. I can

understand that. Does not want to leave a pot on. He could try and

play the red into the blue and try and get the cue ball of the knuckle

of the pocket. But very dangerous. Not played it well. He did try to

balance it between the green and blue. But court green and this red

is possible. In it goes and it looks like he will

be nicely on the black will stop this black will take him 6 points in

front. Still going to need yellow, green, brown and blue for victory.

Just overrun it. Buy a couple of inches. Tried to get the cue ball

close to the cautioned. Trying to keep the pressure on and

covered the yellow with the brown. He hasn't done it. You can just

about see the outside edge of the yellow. You say that, but I think he

might have to play a little swerve, strike down with left-hand side.

Maybe he feels he can just get past the brown! 7 valuable points given

away. And this has been called, but he is having it done. This is very,

very important replacement of this ball. Shaun felt he could just hit

the edge of the red. Personally, I thought he needed a bit of this

work. Now, it is so important to get this absolutely spot on, where it

was before. I think he can just about hit the corner side. It is a

little bit of a swerve, he will definitely hit the yellow. I just

thought he could have a little bit of the corner. Plus the fact he

missed the yellow the 1st time around and hit the black. It means

if Mark Allen get a chance, he doesn't need the awkward blue. He

just need yellow, green and brown. That is a big, big difference in

this frame. Needs to get the cue ball tight to

the baulk cushion. The fact it is so close to the baulk question, Mark

Allen will not be taking this yellow arm.

Not the best safety from Mark. Chance of a Shaun to gain the

initiative in this important safety exchange. Good target behind Green

or brown. Decided to send the ball round the angles. Little tap on the

table from Mark Allen, but he is under no pressure. Just send the

yellow up and down the table. Run the cue ball into the green. That

will be safe enough. I can't believe he has played it

that way. I cannot believe he has played it that way! Amazing. It

looked straightforward and down safety. Run the cue ball into the

green. New had to get the yellow said, you couldn't leave it on like

this. APPLAUSE

To me, that was a bit careless from Shaun. He should have been avoiding

the blue at all costs. He shouldn't have played the cannon. Now he is so

close to the question, it makes you ask, can he part-macro the green and

has shown on the brown. Of course, being so close to the

question didn't help the pot on the green. So both players making errors

here. I can only put it down to nerves.

Mark Allen is 10 points ahead so he will need the blue. Has a nice angle

on the brown now. Can get the cue ball over towards the blue. Will

have the chance of a pot, but this is not straightforward. The brown

has gone in. He wanted the cue ball a bit closer to this blue. Blew up

into the left-hand corner pocket. This is for a place in the

quarterfinals and beat the defending champion.

And it is the! 2 snookers required. The defending champion looks as

though he is on the way out. It is difficult enough to get the

snooker with two balls on the table. To get two, almost impossible.

Well, he almost gave him one for free. That is good to see, good to

see the sportsmanship. Sure knew that Mark's heart would have been in

his mouth. It has been a terrific match, played in a good spirit.

Absolutely. They are good mates. Mark's heart was in his mouth for a

second, there is no doubt about that. That just did not run and it

looks as though he has left the pink.

And if it goes. Shaun Murphy will be ruing the frame he gifted to Mark

Allen. It was not easy today. Maybe his own worst enemy. Take nothing

from Mark Allen, with two centuries. The defending champion is knocked

out by the young man from Northern Ireland, who wins 6-4.

He is in the quarterfinal. HAZEL IRVINE: Last year Shaun Murphy went

on at the expense of this young man, but Mark Allen turns the table. The

defending champion is out and Mark Allen goes on the quarterfinal. He

thought he was sitting on a 5-2 lead. There he is, going to Aaron

Crosby, a great snooker fan. It is lovely to see him at these snooker

events. It was a dramatic conclusion. It

shows you, we mentioned the psychology of the game, and Mark,

getting there. There is nothing like a few misses in a game of snooker.

It was a great blue to see that and he almost went in. It was a tough

match. Mark Allen has not saved superbly well. Not the type of

situation to get frustrated about, that match, it he is still in the

tournament. More frustration will be with Shaun Murphy, who did not cue

long shots well. He will be worried about his cue action. Well played.

That is a highly significant victory, not because you are in the

quarterfinals but one of the rare ones on the big occasion against

Shaun. A dreadful red ball ago Shaun. I find -- a terrible record

against him. I find that against people I am friends with. Who is

your best friend? It was played in fantastic spirit. The friendship

showed through when in the sixth, he gifted you the frame. I have had

that a few times against me and I will take it when it comes. He could

not see any other shot. I will take it when it comes because you do not

get many like that. You thanked him, when he was sitting in his chair. We

liked that! In terms of significance of this match to you, because you

have the great run at the end of 2015 and then it dipped again, how

important is this? I understand about you saying I took a dip at the

UK. I played well against Martin Gould, he played better. There are a

lot of good players on tour and it is how you bounce back from it.

Beating Shaun, the defending champion, on one of the biggest

stages, my game is in good shape. I came here with little confidence. I

need to practise every day and ten days off over Christmas, I came back

and had two days when I did not make a 30 break. Tell me about it! I came

here and did not expect much but once I got out there and switched

on, it was better. You were cueing very well. 91, 104. It got tense at

the end. I did not feel I did much wrong for Shaun to come in. 5-4,

from 5-2, having not done much wrong, but it got twitchy in the

last one because we knew it was a big frame. You need two snookers at

that point and almost went in. I got a kick on the pink. Terrible shot.

It was a lovely moment, and underlines the spirit in which the

match was played. Any thoughts on the next round. I thought I would

play the winner of Stuart Bingham and Ding. Joe Perry has had a good

season and Barry did well at Sheffield. You must have had a good

Christmas, you do not even know the draw! Lets say I enjoyed my time

off! One thing I need to discuss is Terry Griffiths, who is back in your

corner, and that is a huge difference to you. What does he

bring to you, and how pleased will he be with the performers? He brings

nothing! I came last night and wanted to go to practise and Terry

said he was too tired! That is old age. Today I wanted to practise and

he was on the phone. He has brought nothing to that match! In general,

he is someone I cannot live without, in my corner. The experience, what

to do in a situation. If you cannot learn from Terry, you cannot learn

from anyone. I know you missed him last season, but it is going well

for you. That was a big match today, but my stepson was playing in the

genie event and he won his first junior event, the Northern Ireland

under 16. We are looking forward to another match, 7pm, the world

champion, Stuart Bingham, against Ding. Stuart Bingham's season has

been up and down. We can hear more about him.

Stuart Bingham, current world champion. Who would have thought it?

I do not think anybody in the game thought he would beat Ronnie

O'Sullivan in the quarters nor Judd Trump in the semifinals and I do not

think people thought he would beat you in the final. But he has shocked

the world. Absolutely. Obviously, it was difficult at the time to accept

the loss and is difficult to accept against anybody, but the fact it was

him made it sweeter because I know how badly he wanted it, how badly he

has worked for this and what it means to him and his family. He has

trawled the country and the world playing in any thing he can,

supporting the tour from start to finish. He absolutely loves snooker.

I thought he had potential, Sunday, but as he got on later in his

career, I did not think it was possible, coming up against so many

good players. -- some day. He believes in himself. He kept

knocking on the door and if you do sometimes it opens and that is what

happened. Where is his strength? He believes what he does and the way he

does it works for him. It is the placebo effect. Whether he is

technically the best in the world is up for debate but he believes in the

things he works on, the things he practises, and he believes on his

day he can be the best in the world. It is not one area you would say he

was a specialist in. Break-building? He is a good break-builder. Good

safety? You would not go, he is a good safety player, but he is. Every

part of the game is strong. He would not be the best in any one category,

but he is in the top four, five of all categories. He is consistent in

all categories. That has made him climb the rankings. We talk about

players who have developed and got better as they have got older. It is

difficult to pick holes in him. I cannot think of a weakness. Perhaps

his problems will, repeating. He believes what he does works and he

repeats it. But if you were coaching by a manual, you would teach someone

to have a more firm breach. His fingers bent and close to the ball.

But it works for him. The twist action at the end of his stroke,

that is unorthodox. His tip is twisting as it strikes the cue ball.

If he can move the cue back and forward in a straight line it

minimises problems, but on extra slippery conditions, he will find it

a problem. Let's hope he does not play in those extra slippery

conditions. Stuart Bingham, current world

champion, I would like to start with a deep question that might sound

silly, but has it sunk in yet? I don't know. It is important for the

rest of the season. I have tried to forget it. Really?! Just to get on

with snooker. As stupid as the answer is going to be, it is like it

is a hindrance. 20 years trying to get there and pick up the trophy,

now I have the trophy, the pressure is more immense than anything. You

would rather not have won it? Of course not, but it feels like that.

I have had that pressure and now I go to tournaments and try to get on

with the job in hand. It is great people saying it, brilliant, but I

try to get on with the next tournament. The pressure is from

within. That is the biggest thing. Nobody else is putting the pressure

on, it is your expectation. The first tournaments after every ball I

missed, I could see people saying, he is world champion, he must be the

worst world champion ever! Stupid things like that. Looking back at

the World Championships, I was missing, may be getting away with

more. I have accepted it. I am getting on with the job in hand.

Understandable that every player has a reaction to something so big. It

is understandable if you drop down a fraction of standard because of

that. To be honest, I do not feel I have had a bad season. My results

have, but I have lost 4-5, 4-3. To people like Higgins, Fergal O'Brien,

good players. I have lost in deciders but because of results it

looks like I have had a bad season. From Ding's point of view, he has

not been this man in almost five years, incredible. Stuart Bingham

has a great record against him. We do not know what mental shape Ding

is in. Stuart Bingham, good practice, that will always hold him

in good stead. We shall tell you that we will be back with the

highlights of that match at 11pm. You can see it on your connected

devices. And the darts, BBC Two. Scott Thwaites against Jeff Smith.

Goodbye. -- Scott Waites. # Of interplanetary

most extraordinary craft across your phone, laptop,

tablet and TV.