Final: Ronnie O'Sullivan v Joe Perry - Part 2 Masters Snooker

good evening, it is a packed house at the Palace, 2000 people making

their way into to enjoy this deciding session of the Masters

final. Ronnie O'Sullivan is the defending champion and has known

plenty of evenings like this. His 12 Masters final. But for his opponent,

42-year-old Joe Perry from Cambridgeshire, this is the first

time in his 26 year career that he has the chance of landing one of

snooker's major titles. There are three of them, this is the second in

the season. As an 80-1 shot, few people gave him a fighting chance

but after this afternoon's opening session, he's got one now... In the

first frame, it looks like the Rocket would take the opener but he

missed this straightforward scull into the pocket, and he asked the

referee to sort out is background noise in the auditorium.

Joe Perry was not bothered, and it was one nil to the gentleman. Midway

through frame two, Ronnie found himself 30 points behind. This

chance went astray... And Joe cleared to go 2-0 in front. 2-0

down, it was time for The Rocket to begin playing.

This was his first brain taken of the final. In frame four, this

misjudged attempt that Joe Perry and at the interval. -- the first frame.

In frame five, the first after the interval, Joe Perry pressed home his

advantage with a magnificent break, 115, the highest of the match. In

frame six, Joe needed this red to go 5-1 in front, but he missed. Roddy

Grant fully mopped up the balls. In frame seven, with Roddy sensing

danger of going behind in this final, he pulled this off. In frame

eight, it was not vintage Ronnie O'Sullivan. But this shocking miss

from Joe Perry gifted him the frame. 4-4 going into the evening, and it's

all to play for... ANNOUNCER: Please welcome the 20 15th grand final

champion... Joe Perry! # Clap along if you feel like

happiness is the truth # Clap along if you know what

happiness is to you # Because I'm happy...

# Pop along if you feel that's what you want to do #

FUNKY MUSIC ANNOUNCER: And here comes the

defending Masters champion... Ronnie O'Sullivan!

CHEERING APPLAUSE

So, here we go. A possible 11 more frames tonight, the first to 10 will

win the ?200,000 first prize. He could step ahead of Stephen Hendry

to get that record of seven Masters titles, whilst Joe Perry can take a

big leap into the big-time as a major winner at last.

Over to our commentators, it is poised more finely than it everyone

expected? COMMENTATOR: It's an unbelievable

reception. The crowd are still cheering...

CHEERING An electric atmosphere for this

final session. There is the beautiful trophy. Thank you. The

ninth frame. Ronnie O'Sullivan to break. What a buzz for the

players... Fantastic! Just sitting here, enjoying the walk on and the

music... What it must mean for those players there, coming out to that

rapturous applause and welcome. Nothing like the Sunday night

Masters final at the Ally Pally... The question is, how much of those

few frames that Joe Perry let slip away, how much can he forget about

those? And have a fresh start again tonight?

It is a pretty good safety shot. Knowledge from Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Tapping the table. That was a thin one... What you call

a fine shot. Those two people, that is Paul Hunter's mother and father,

Christine and Allen, they will be delighted to be here, what an honour

to have this Masters named after their son, who won it three times. A

sad loss to the game, just 26 years old at the time, but what a player

he was. He certainly was. A straightforward escape shot here,

that is why Ronnie is coming off the escape cushion. Just a containing

safety. He did well. Coming back down behind the yellow, a nice angle

to come off those two oceans. -- oceans. He can play that one off the

white, to get down behind the yellow.

Another excellent safety. You need to be careful that he does not knock

the red towards this corner pocket... But he has played it very

well. I tell you what, we have had some cracking safety shot 's plate

already. Who is going to make the first mistake? Might be able to

sneak one in that is just above the black. And get the weight back down

the table. You can see just enough of it -- black Mac. As long as it is

not too thin. -- knock the white back down the table. That is pretty

good... An interested spectator, for the

first time that the snooker, Ed Miliband, I met him earlier on. He

loves snooker, and it is great to have him here. The leader of the

Labour Party for just under five years.

Is that a fluke? This is a thin one. Not straightforward. He will have

two hit it very thin... I can see with one eye, Ronnie Junior,

watching his father. It is never easy to roll up behind

the ball colour, Ronnie will be disappointed that he has left this

opportunity for Joe Perry. That is a bit unlucky there, Joe... Seeing the

red going over the bottom right-hand corner pocket. An easy starter, but

the paint is tied up, and the black is awkward. How does he get there?

Does he risk doing a cannon to get the blackout? -- the pink. He has

the cue power. He can get the cue ball behind the black and take it

into the same pocket... No. Trying to sneak past it... Just a safety

shot now... Still a little awkward with that

black near the bottom cushion tied up. This yellow... Switching hands

certainly helps, but not this time. He does not miss many with his

opposite hand. It is a cagey opening frame here.

It was tricky to get a position there where he can come off the pink

to get in behind the yellow again. This is excellent. A tough situation

there, for Ronnie. He has a similar situation here, Joe Perry. He will

have to Will Boyde the pink. Play a safety shot.

He goes around. Not on the colour. If that bounces... I do not think

that he can put the yellow in, though. It could be a useful fluke?

Has he covered it? CLAPPING

Joe Perry put himself into some trouble there. As he rolled up to

the brown committee was frightened of not reaching it. He would have

left a free ball, and hit it harder than he intended. And did not get

the snooker. Gradually, the frame is opening up.

There is a good length of shot. A fantastic pot. It would not have

mattered if you missed the cue balls. Safe anyway, but an excellent

pot. The yellow ball just comes off the side cushion. A yellow on the

way... Ronnie O'Sullivan, one. A series of breaks at the moment,

Dennis. Joe is a brilliant attacking player

as well. But this opening frame could suit him, after losing the

last three from 4-1 to 4-4. A bout of safety, that could get him used

to the evening's atmosphere. There is the Alexandra Palace crowd. 2000

people... It is just buzzing here this evening.

Is there a gap between the brown and the green? This red over towards the

pocket. Just about enough, but he needs to cue it well, though...

There. Perfect! He made a break of 59 this

afternoon, it was all over the table. So awkward. It was brilliant.

Going back up the table, back down the table... He screws it into the

middle... Foul. A little careless there. Getting into the screw shot

with his left hand too much. A nervy opening frame here this evening.

A great pot. Nicely held for the black.

Nerves a little too far for this red among the top cushion. But he has

the top corner pocket is available. Could go for the black or the blue.

This red along the top cushion is very difficult...

Look at those scores, four frames each, 14 points each. All of the

fours. It's just been an awkward opening frame... The way that the

balls went early on. Now you have all of the colours in pottable

positions. An interesting tactical battle coming up...

He had a quick glance at the red, to see if he can put it in off the

pink. But the White is tight off the cushion but this opening frame is

interesting, as the reds come out, into the table... Possibly sliding

off this red down the left-hand side. Put the cue ball up into the

jaws of the yellow pocket. Cover that up with the yellow, that is a

possibility. Be careful, a simple shot that Joe played there. But a

clever one, staying tied to the top cushion.

That is about all he could do. The only thing is that he has left an

easy shot for Joe Perry to send the red back up the table, and make it

quite difficult for Ronnie. That is careless... I think that he

has covered it but he did not want the red over the pocket. It is

covered, as you can see. Needing to pull up a little bit...

Does this red get to the pink? This could be a chance for Joe. Clearly

going into the middle pocket, as you can see. Wanting the White tight on

the cushion. Probably not as easy as it looked.

Still fancying him for that one, though... It is one of those shots

where if you do not get it clean into the pocket, it might have gone

in, after the pink... Now he has been given a chance, I don't think

he can win the frame in this position, but... The awkward couple

of reds will be the ones that are right.

If we can somehow get a nice angle on the. -- on the blue.

That looks about perfect on the blue, a lot of top spin.

CLAPPING Hmm, he has the white safe, but to

take this pot on the white, we go dangerously close to the middle

pocket. If he does not take it on and avoided, he could come back

towards the black. There is the cue ball...

If you can see enough of this red, you can pot it, with an even angle,

and bring that extra pink into play. I think that he has gone too far, he

is on the yellow now, he cannot do that.

Ronnie O'Sullivan, three. Joe may try and knock this red that he is

closest to on to the pink and the red.

It looks as if this will be the longest frame of the match so far.

We had a 22 minute 46 second frame, that was frame seven. This one has

been going not too far off 23 minutes. But it was awkward how

those high value collars went at the start of the frame. -- colours.

CLAPPING It was interesting to see Ronnie

after the session today, I saw him in the practice room with his

friend, Damien Hirst, they were practising for at least one hour, I

would say. Which is unusual, between sessions you want to try and

conserve energy and get ready for tonight. But obviously still

concerned about his tip and wants to break it in a bit more. And probably

concerned that his highest break in the first session was a break of 58.

In frame three. After his performance against Marco Fu,

another day, a different game. But I think there's opening frame is

much more important for Joe Perry, having lost the last three, just to

establish things get himself back the lead.

This looks pretty good. He has got the snooker behind the yellow. That

black is helping because he can't swerve around the yellow, so he

might try the two cushion escape here. He does not want to leave a

free ball. Will Ronnie have a go at this pink now? In fact, the pink

being safe, with Ronnie having the advantage, he needs that pink tied

up. Just checking the monitor. For Paul

Callier to get the pink back right. In the same spot. That's near

enough. I don't know if that is left a bit, writer bit, I'm not sure. --

right a bit. That is where it was. That is near enough. He needs a thin

slick on this. It could cost him the frame.

Ronnie did not see this coming. That first frame lasted so long. The

balls dictated that. 30 in front if he was to pot black,

37 in front. Black would need Joe Perry needing a snooker.

I'm not sure about that. He didn't have to get on the red. The only

needed the black but he played the normal shopper there, which added a

bit more pressure to it. Yes, I'm very surprised. -- shot. He is lucky

he has covered the red here, because he could be in trouble.

It could have been so much more difficult to hit this red. Hit and

hope for a bit of luck. He has got it.

30 ahead, so Ronnie needs the red and anything above the yellow. Job

needing a snooker. -- Joe needing a snooker.

He just needs the red, doesn't he? And any colour above in order to

win. Bit short of pace with the cue ball. A half chance. We know how

good of a long potter he is, Joe Perry. He is going to need one now.

Not quite sure what is going to take on. What it's shaping up to. It was

very difficult. Very difficult. He played it in a very clever way. The

possibility of always covering it with the yellow but still lucky.

Relying on a bit of luck. It will be interesting to see... Is

he going to try to get a bit of distance or just land on it? He is

going for the distance. He has left the red upper. He could have easily

nestled on the red. This red to secure the opening frame.

He had a glimmer of hope. Joe missed the black which could have put him

say. -- safe. Joe is thinking about it. He

is staying in his seat and he concedes and Ronnie O'Sullivan

carries on where he left off. It was a very long frame, just over 32

minutes but Ronnie has taken it and that is four in a row and he now

leads by 5-4. STUDIO: Significantly, for the first

time he's ahead in this final having trailed 4-1 this afternoon. A

palpable tension in the arena at there. Well over 30 minutes. Two

shots to the middle pocket that both seem to illustrate the pressure on

both of them, I would say. Yes, the first one was Joe Perry trying to

pot of this. Under normal circumstances, he would have got

that but there was a red over that corner pocket. This one, it's one of

those ones, tricky on the black. The pressure, you want to play the shot

but sometimes you don't need to, you need to put it in, but the first one

Joe Hart, I looked at it and I went, I don't fancy this. If you know

you're going to miss it, it gets magnified. When Ronnie O'Sullivan

decides to pop the black and goes for the red commie puts pressure on

himself by going for the red. If he parts black on his own, the public

gets it. We questioned whether that was the right decision or not. Even

the great Ronnie O'Sullivan looking back perhaps could have recovered

with snookers but would have been over the line. He was trying to kill

off the frame and did not think you would miss the back but it's a tough

game. It's taken Ronnie all this time to get ahead because if you

were not with us this afternoon, we were discussing the prospect for Joe

Perry and very few people, had a hope of beating Ronnie. Ronnie was

7-1 to win this match so they thought it was all over. It was a

surprise when he left for- a wonderful soppy Mr very important

red to leave 5-1, and since then, it has cost him. Joe is a higher ranked

player. Number nine. Ronnie is number 13. But it's Ronnie's

experience and his craft which stood him in such great stead over the

last three years. Back we go. Versus frame ten. -- this is frame ten.

Always handy, a few of those to get you amongst the balls.

What can he make of it? Back open into the bottom left-hand corner

pocket. This is a very poor shot from Joe

Perry. Anywhere in the middle of the table, the pink, a couple of reds,

into this pocket. Might just have gotten away with

that. The red to the left of the pink. It goes over to the corner.

But that is far from a gimme. Wasn't easy.

You are not helping the players when you call out. Would you settle down,

please. APPLAUSE

Well said. You don't want one or two

individuals shouting out on their own. It's nice to have a great

atmosphere but you don't want people shouting out at the wrong time. It's

not doing the player they are shouting for any good.

That was some shot, that pace, wasn't it?

You just sense that he's taking control now of this match. I think

he needed that opening frame just to settle down again. He started so

well. Could quite easily have won the first session 6-2. He probably

was thinking that. He can't let this man get on a roll, the way he did

against Marco Fu. Devastating. Didn't get the cue ball away from

it. Had the red on the left-hand pocket as insurance.

He has cued that are very, very well. He made it look ridiculously

easy. The action on the cue ball, fantastic. Does he go for the blue

or comeback for the black? Has he overrun it for the red to the

left of the pink? There was a planned there and that has helped

the situation. One thing for sure. This frame is

not going to last as long as the opening frame.

It's quite noticeable Ronnie has upped his tempo around the table, as

well. One little cannon into these reds

now. Decided to go for the loose red. Security, can we go to the top,

please? There seems to be a medical situation.

Just a bit of a disturbance at the top. A medic is required. Hopefully

the person is OK. Ronnie says he wants to carry on.

APPLAUSE 64 in front.

Still a possible 59 on the table. At the snooker required stage.

The referee has asked him to give it a few seconds. I think someone is

unwell, probably with the heat in the arena. Exhausting. He looks OK.

He looks fine to me. Yeah, no problems.

APPLAUSE He has done a pretty good job, you

would say. Ronnie, for the last four or five

years, a different player. He is in a pretty good place mentally,

Ronnie. I think he thought he had missed

that red. A break of 68. He finished the frame

off with a magnificent 56. Joe never really had a lock in in that frame

and he continues on the march, Ronnie O'Sullivan. He now leads Joe

Perry by 6-4. He's just starting to take control here. Joe is starting

to feel the pressure quite a bit. It is a big, big Dave. His first time

in a major. -- Dave. Those last couple of frames he let

slip, he could easily have had a 60 lead tonight. Maybe he's feeling it

now because of those few frames that went, going into any lead, he

would've felt very confident but Ronnie, the way he started, OK, it's

not a vintage and Sullivan, but he is certainly buzzing around the

table -- O Sullivan. Played some amazing shots. There is one shot.

You can see how well he's getting through the ball. Yeah, Joe Perry

needs to get off the mark. And very, very soon. Yes, two more frames

before the mid-session interval. Joe needs at least one of them to go to

the interval and maybe get some practice on the practice table and

tried to keep himself in this match now. So, a key frame coming up.

Thank you. Frame 11. Ronnie O'Sullivan to break.

Decent break off from Ronnie O'Sullivan. It has left the red into

the bottom left-hand pocket. Coming down towards the black with the cue

ball. Wow. That was a long, long way away.

Joe has played so well this week. 6-1 against Stuart Bingham. Then 6-1

against Ding Junhui. At the moment, that semifinal has taken its toll a

little bit. To come back from 5-2 behind and needing a snooker to beat

his good friend, Barry Hawkins, certainly takes a bit out of you

mentally. And that is a poor shot. He has

played some very good safety. There are just signs that he's losing a

little bit of concentration. Maybe just a little bit of confidence.

Tried to play a little cannon on those two read above the black but

it just slipped past him -- two reds.

I think all he has focused on now is beating Stephen Hendry's six Masters

title. I think that's what he is concentrating on. He's not worried

how he does it. He just wants the title so badly. At one stage, he was

trying a little bit too hard this afternoon. If Joe can just get

himself in with a decent pot, it will restore his confidence and it

wouldn't be a bad time to knock this longer red in the. He can get on the

black. The only red he believed is this one and it would be a terrific

confidence booster if he could get it.

Various one to the left. The pink and reds. Possibly into the right

corner. That is the one he is looking at. Ride in the centre of

the pocket. -- right. And that one shot, the new he was going to give

himself a terrific chance. Yes, and he's got a nice angle on the black.

Just play a little cannon. Tried to push one into the right-hand corner

pocket. It is still OK. This is where he is so good, in and around

the black. Small cannons into reds. His break-building is second to

none. At the moment, those two reds are

causing him problems. He would love to get the nearest one to the black

out of the way. He can't do that on this occasion.

There's plenty of reds in the open here, Dennis. Just keep the cue ball

down. He looks to have got into a nice rhythm.

Just overscrewed that slightly back to the blue again.

Ooh! That is a lapse in concentration... Nobody had seen

that coming. He was flying along, and suddenly, he lost concentration.

If you do that in this game, you can miss anything. 55 in front, he

should have secured third frame. -- that frame. It's time for Joe Perry

to go to work at the Alexandra Palace. A chance that you were not

expecting. Just running slightly out of

position, previously. It always seems to throw away few problems up.

This is a problem committee can pot the yellow but he will need an

extension on the cue, -- you can pop the yellow. There is two from the

pink that he needs to get into. He wants to get it past the blue. He

needed a lot of screw on the left-hand side to get on this red.

There is the screw at the bottom of the cue ball...

Probably overdone it, but I think that the red will go into the right

corner, as we show that action that he got from that, it was brilliant.

Two overscrew it from there. He still has the red into that pocket.

It is there. Excellent shot. He will play a cannon into that pink and

red. It may have been bad contact. Looking at Joe Perry's body

language. It looks like he got a kick on that. Let's see... Could not

have missed that by that much. 44 behind 51, still left on the

table. Just nestling into the red here. Not going to hit it, is it?

No. He has to get it this time. He will be 52 behind with 51 left if

he does not make contact with the red. Ronnie pushes the Green safe as

some insurance. On his previous shot. This is to make absolutely

sure of the frame. Just dropping it in...

That pink might stop Joe Perry coming back to the table. Nifty five

behind, 43 remaining. A snooker and a free ball -- 55. Joe Perry stays

in his chair... Ronnie O'Sullivan marches on, leading Joe Perry by

7-4. You have to feel that his challenge

will be wilting as Ronnie O'Sullivan goes through the gears? If he does

not win the next frame and he goes an 8-4 behind, it is curtains. As

simple as that? Yes, and Joe's reaction from the black, it was

immediate annoyance. I think that it was a kick. He did well to get as

far as he did in the frame but it has been tough for Joe, as he was

somewhere in front in the first session but it has gone haywire for

him. Six frames on the spin that he has lost. Ronnie the entertainer, he

says that he wants to win in style but he shows more maturity about

being Ronnie the fierce competitor. That is what is taking over for him?

It has been noticeable all week, shot selection bang on. A couple in

other matches, against Neil Robertson he could have taken

chances but he put the cue ball on the bottom cushion and said that he

would take his chance later. Still in the event and you can entertain,

if you have lost the match it is difficult! Now he is in front by a

few frames, maybe he has more breathing space? You might see him

move through the gears. I was one of the best entertainers on the M6

after I was beat! He shows acceptance when things don't go

wrong, he has patience and has been working... We mentioned Doctor Steve

Peters, the sports psychiatrist with whom he has been working over the

last few years. The aspect of his game there is so much better? It is

chalk and cheese. You can tell through his demeanour, Dennis made

that point in commentary, he is spot on and seems happy to be out there

competing. He is enjoying this scoreline because one more we go,

into the mid-session interval. Ronnie O'Sullivan is now three

ahead... COMMENTATOR: John Parrott was saying

that it is a must win frame for Joe Perry. 8-4, and his back would be

right against the wall. Is that red going to pull up? Might be able to

sneak it in. Going past the middle pocket slightly. Be careful it does

not go off but it was another to the right middle pocket. That is a

better choice. He can get on the black if you can pot it... It is

there, a great shot! Decided not to go into the pack. He

is going to leave the blue, going to the pink and the reds from the blue.

There is still one from the black that will go.

As you go straight in from the blue, you leave the red, pot the red, go

into the bunch. It depends on how he feels. He is playing for the red,

then into the pack, and if he can get himself away from the cushion,

and be on pink or black committee is going to disturb reds and the pink

year... -- he is going to disturb. He did

not hit it hard enough, what does that show? Play the deep screw and

open them up, make sure that you go back. He would love to have another

go at that. This match reminds me a bit of the

Scottish Open, John Higgins lead Marco Fu 4-1, Marco Fu 18 frames in

a row. Ronnie has already won six in a row here.

APPLAUSE Hmm... Possible pot for Ronnie here

into the bottom corner pocket. Beyond the black, if it went in.

That is brilliant! Fantastic. Beautifully cued. A great shot. If

he tries to put it back he could miss that blew. See where he wants

to Place the cue ball -- blue. If he tries to force in the blue from

where the cue ball is sat, he could miss the pot. If it is right down on

it... This is just a safety shots... That

is much better than trying to screw back and missed the blue, and leave

the red on. Look how dominant that kiss on the

brown is. This red is OK. That is very good. APPLAUSE

Joe Perry would be disappointed to hit the brown and leave this red

into the corner pocket. Have to get that black on the spot.

Just thinking, he has potted 17 out of 22 long pots which is a high

success rate. But committee was trying to do what you said, but it

has gone too far. He may have to take the blue. -- but, he was trying

to do what you said. He really miss hit it. He was

playing for the red to the right of the bunch there. Gray Ronnie

O'Sullivan, 12. The safety is improved as well. Finding the

cushion with more consistency, keeping the pressure on Joe Perry.

That is a nice target, the brown, and the green. He almost missed

that, just a containing pot, as you say... I do not think that he can

get over behind the green and brown from this position. Tip on the baulk

cushion, that is what he is after here. --

tight. He was able to get over there, and he has played it well.

That is a foul, and a miss. Can repot this and get on to the left at

the back of the blue? He was on the blue, perhaps the

black. Not the right side, take on the blue and get another read. A

better angle on the black. Next shops...

I think with Joe and this fast cloth, when you lose confidence, it

is easy to overcompensate. When you play well, with the speed of the

table, it is no problem, beautiful to play on but when you lose your

stroke, that is what has happened to Joe at the moment. A few chances in

that first session for Dennis, when he was leading 4-1. Doing so well,

missing a couple of Lindes. -- missing a couple of balls.

But, you always feel as long as your opponent leads two frames that you

are in with a chance but he has two up his game after the mid-session

interval. You have some time to think about it. The odds are, he is

going to lose this one as well. He is not completely out of this year's

final at the Masters but he has an awful lot to do and think about at

the mid-session interval. Of course, Ronnie O'Sullivan is on a

roll. He is such a hard player to stop. A great, tremendous

frontrunner. Running of frames in minutes.

It was 4-1 down committee is going to go 8-4, two frames away. And a

seventh Masters title. It is his 12th final in 20 odd years. An

incredible record here. He loves playing at this venue. He gets

support wherever he goes in the world, but in the London area... He

gets it especially. He is a delight to watch when he is buzzing like

this. That is his highest break in the

final, believe it or not. It is about winning the title which is

what he is after here... APPLAUSE That is seven frames in a row for

The Rocket, Ronnie O'Sullivan. 4-1 behind. He goes into the next

session needing two frames. He leads 8-4.

STUDIO: Since that 32 minute opening frame of the evening session, we've

gone 11 minutes, 12 minutes, 12 minutes, and suddenly, there are

seven in a row in this match... I wonder how much Joe's mind will go

back to that session where he may have gone 5-1 up? Joe was in command

this afternoon at one stage, 4-1 in front. He had a chance to have put

the pressure on Ronnie O'Sullivan. He did not have to do much on this

red, drop it in and it would have been a colour. There was a red on

the top cushion to get, but he could use it as a springboard to get back

into the match. He was struggling. There are certain points in the

match where someone can just press an advantage. And maybe, just a lack

of experience... I know he's been around the block playing but not

major finals. That one incident, you can stand back and concentrate as

hard as you can. It was important to have that parents. 5-1 and I

guarantee you are going into the lead in the opening session. Big ifs

and buts in this evening session, it could have gone anyway as well. If

you have the chance with someone on the ropes, it is good to keep them

there. If it goes wrong for Joe, he can go back and reflect on it and

think, what if? Is that an experience or a question of

experience? Is it the heat of the moment? You can argue that it is

like seeing the winning post too early. A number of things. Did he

just missed it? And not getting Ronnie O'Sullivan in the final,

that's not a big help! He has a fantastic record. This snooker

Masters is the second longest running event in snooker, going

since 1975. I'm sure many of you have wonderful memories over the

years, from Kirk Stevens's white suited maximum, to Mark Williams and

the black ball frame against Stephen Hendry. That list goes on and on,

but in this event, only the very best get to give their best. He was

in his white suit, playing in a classic match. Donald Sutherland was

in the player 's room. He came in and I thought, this is the first

game you've ever come to watch and he is in a 147 double. It bounces

off the cushion... It's not there yet.

Get in! Lovely, super! Brilliant, brilliant scenes in a fantastic

match. Never to be forgotten. # The crowd call out for more... For

Jimmy to follow it up in the decider... It's probably some of the

best snooker that you have ever seen.

CHEERING 112... Words have escaped me. Van

-- fantastic. My favourite would be the streaker, I remember thinking,

this could be an embarrassing day with Ronnie firing on all

cylinders... Not the Thunderbirds coming to my rescue, but the young

lady who takes off her clothes in front of the boards, and bounce

about in front of everybody will stop

# I should be so lucky # Lucky, lucky, lucky. I could not

see her face, let alone anything else! He put his hand on the

umpire's forehead to calm him down. I don't know why that is the most

memorable moment, but it is. We always used to walk into the

conference centre over there. There was always a sports car on show and

it was immaculate, gleaming. I thought, I would love to make a

maximum here... People always say, I remember you one the championship

there, but do you remember that Mr black for the 147? He must still

have nightmares... Missing the pink... It bounced off. The

disappointment... For him to miss the black. He wasn't in position

once. Putting so many fantastic shots. Every time I see it, I go,

cannot miss... That is painful! I still cannot

believe that he missed it. I was down on the black, thinking about

that car. And thought, how can I get it to Dublin? I didn't like the

colour anyway! I will never forget when they started to introduce

music, walk on music. And Jimmy White was playing Mark Kings. It is

the Whirlwind, Jimmy White! I remember sitting up with the crowd,

watching it. The place was heaving, and Jimmy got a wild card. I thought

that Kings would be up against it. King came out to some sort of rap

music. Doing the hands and all of that! It took everyone by surprise

and shock. I think he was trying to dance with Rob Walker, the MC! He

took it to the next level! Stephen Hendry, right down to the final

black in the whole tournament. He never reminds me of it, ever! (!) I

should have won that match. Playing that shot across the table. It

rolled off, slightly. I remember playing that kind of shot, that is

exactly what can happen. Is it in? No! It was far from a gimme. I did

not hit it as smoothly as I would have liked. Then Mark Williams

knocking the final black in... A tremendous cheer. Really deserved

for him. What a wonderful feeling it was.

1977... Doug Mountjoy versus Ray Reardon in the final. My very first

bet on snooker was ?40 to win on Doug Mountjoy at 33-1, to win the

Masters. They both played what we consider now to be average snooker

but at the time, it was Power Snooker, they were knocking in 50s

from all over the place. It was snooker from the gods! They put in a

great pink, from the Boult area. To win. Barry Hearn, as usual, backed

Doug Mountjoy and won a fortune! # Money, money, money!

# Must be funny... I won 1300 quid, it paid for my curtains, washing

machine and my fridge for my house. So, Doug Mountjoy? Thanks mate! Bill

the cap lost his cap. He was someone who came to all of the matches, love

snooker but liberty ever saw him without his flat cap on. Somewhere

down the line in his excitement, his cap must have dropped off, and he

went, where is my cap? We all collapsed in laughter, with a fit of

the giggles. Nobody ever saw Bill the Cap without his cap. It all

kicked off, we were up until past ten o'clock. What tonight we had.

Fantastic memories, those two in that final were a combined age of

85. This pair are combined at 83. It is younger. An interesting match.

But I bet that young Mark Williams is texting Stephen Hendry as we

speak... He has never let him forget it! He never will, they are still at

it now! The two of them have always been at each other. Ken's miss on

the black. He did not like the colour of the

car? The look on his face! It is the best producing their best. It has

produced magical moments over the years. Because you are seeing

well-known players in all of the matches, not only are they great,

but there are good memories as well. Great memories this week. You have

been voting for your shot of the tournament, and the results are

in... In the third-place, the positional

shot by Ronnie. What is he going to attempt on the

green? Something special? He is. Look at the action on the cue ball.

What a positional shot that is, by the way. Oh my goodness! What a shot

that is. To get that with the side around the angles, what a shot. In

second place, Ronnie again. His phenomenal pot to get out of trouble

against Marco Fu. Not often Ronnie thinks about a shot of this length

of time but it's very understandable here.

It was worth waiting on. I said he would do well to find a path down

the table. And he is on the brown to get back up to the reds. But, with

56% of the vote, it was shot J. Even ever got the right-hand side

question, he could miss. The yellow, the green. Good luck! Good luck with

this one! Great shot! What a shot! He practically got a standing

ovation for that one. Congratulations to Joe and thanks to

everybody who voted in this years shot of the tournament in agreement?

All the snooker fans know the right shot and that was a definite one.

The brown he got in the final frame decider was also a fantastic shot

and the blue, in fact. That drama last night until 11:30pm, we were

punch-drunk after that but it was a magnificent end to the match against

Barry. It certainly was. He came out all right this morning so we can't

complain but it's been a great journey for Joe this week especially

coming into the tournament with very little form. It is still a

waterfront crystal triangle both are playing for tonight, but whoever

hoists it this year will be officially lifting the Paul Hunter

Trophy. From this January, the Masters

trophy in perpetuity will be renamed the Paul Hunter Trophy. In memory of

Paul. I think, snooker fans around the world will appreciate that

gesture to a great, great player. I'm so pleased that we corrected an

earlier mistake of not naming something in his memory and of

course, the Masters is the name. Keeping his name alive, this trophy,

every time the Masters on, it will be called the Paul Hunter Trophy for

ever and ever. I think it's great, I think it's right. A great character,

great guy. Sorely missed. You don't want characters like that being

forgotten. Affectionately known as Beckham of the baize commie became a

hero to a generation. He was a great kid. Enjoyed

practising. A terrific player getting better and better. He just

enjoyed life. Had fun, wherever he went. A very laid-back character.

Yeah, just a great personality. Well liked by everybody on the circuit

and a great player as well. A fantastic player. He won it three

times, and each time he won it, he won it from ridiculous scores

behind. 7-2 down to Brian. 7-2 down to Ronnie O'Sullivan and I think

you're 63 down in the other one. It set a difficult tournament to win. I

remember the match, playing with him, 6-2, up, and it was mind to

lose. I got a bit defensive. Against most players, you could probably

scramble your way over the line but when he came out and started

attacking me, a lot of bottle and he had the game to win the world title.

He suited the modern day game or. In my mind, no doubt, he would have

been world champion. There was no doubt in my mind he would have been

world champion. Paul Hunter sadly passed away on October nine, 2006.

Five-day short of 28th birthday. His family set up the Paul Hunter

Foundation to honour his name with a mission statement to take snooker

out of disadvantaged communities throughout the UK and celebrate his

love for the game. Ten years on, having achieved so much, his father

Alan and coaches and youngsters from the Paul Hunter Foundation are here

in Ali Pali for a very special Masters. I think it could be a bit

emotional. Is seeing all of Paula's friends and colleagues, it's going

to be special. -- Paul. Such a great honour. A great tribute to his

memory. And a great legacy for his daughter. He loved the Masters. It

was his tournament in his time. Paul Hunter won the Masters three

times before he was the age of 25. One of our objectives is to put

smiles on kids faces, get them back into the game and ultimately, if we

can get one of them to be a champion like Paul, it will be fantastic. And

getting emotional now just talking about Paula. About the impact of the

foundation has on young people's lives. In today's society, Paul has

changed the life of 70 people. The final with Ronnie in particular,

that's what I'll always remember, the Masters. We know he would have

won the world title but he did the job and got the title and that can't

go away now, it's on the Trophy. I might be a bit emotional. Would you

please welcome Alan Hunter and the Paul Hunter Foundation players?

APPLAUSE Gird on the powers that be for

actually taking the bull by the horns and saying, yes, it's time to

call it the Paul Hunter Trophy. It is sure to be an emotional day

for the family. A day to celebrate a very special Masters champion. Well

played. Champion, Paul Hunter! APPLAUSE

Very special memories indeed of a very special man, and he won this

event three times before the age of 25 and always in his comeback style.

Whoever wins this this evening will have achieved that whether it's Joe

Perry or Ronnie. It will be a fitting end to this particular

final, but his legacy, you worked for the Paul Hunter Foundation, what

would you say in edges? His idea was, to get kids to play snooker and

I think he would be amazed at how long that has continued and to see

the enjoyment that kids get. We give as many free snooker cues as

possible. People from disadvantaged backgrounds, and the World Snooker

coaches put their heart and soul into making sure what they do for

them is good. It's a great community being built up and all the players

when they are asked to do something for the Paul Hunter Foundation do

it. Barry Hearn said they are writing a wrong this year. This is

long overdue, the Paul Hunter Trophy, isn't it? Absolutely. He was

a lovely lad. I a meeting at a young boy, a cocky lad with blonde hair,

but in a nice way. He had a good personality, someone you really

liked and all the players respected him. I can't look at his father

without feeling so sad every time I see him because nobody should see

their son go like that. We spoke to was mum earlier and she said his

daughter is doing fantastically well, so hello. She knows it's a

proud evening for her as well as the Trophy is handed over. Who is going

to lift it? It's looking as though it is business as usual now for

Ronnie O'Sullivan. The only hope is without the interval, it would've

been 10-4, the way it goes. Maybe he could come out and some confidence,

desperation, knock in a few balls but the way it's going, it looks

like it's all over but you never know. From Joe's perspective, it's

not time to throw caution to the wind but he's got to become pretty

aggressive from now on in because it's very difficult to go otherwise.

There's the vagaries of like in the game. When you consider all that Joe

has achieved in this week, and this is no disgrace, way to lose it at

this point, but he is still fighting and is in this. Also, this is

fabulous experience. The first time, in a major championship final, he is

playing in front of 2000 people who want the other fellow to win so this

is an unbelievable experience. As we say, let's get back to this. There

is a change of personnel in the commentary box. Stephen Hendry, John

Virgo. How much life is left in this final, guys? That's the big

question, Hazel. From what we've seen so far this evening, Joe will

really have to pick up his game. He had the dream start, led by 4-1.

Nothing to show for his efforts since then.

There was quite a few murmurings backstage. He wasn't happy with his

tip and was thinking of changing it at the interval, but I think the

scoreline has put him off doing that.

Much too thick. He's just not got his long pot curbing this evening.

Sometimes that's all the chance you get.

The is Alan and Christina Hunter. They will be very proud to have the

trophy named after their son Paul. . Pot from Ronnie and just about on

the black. He wasn't perfect on the black, but

tried to get it. It goes without saying, Stephen, he

needs to take every opportunity. Not that he has got one here. He has got

to forget the school board, basically, hasn't he? -- scoreboard.

Yes, it's just a hard situation he's got himself into. 4-1 ahead. If

there's going to be in? Yes. He did miss an opportunity this afternoon.

He could easily have won that session 6-2. Maybe a lack of

experience in these big matches, I don't know. He went 4-1 up, and then

started to show weakness. He should've started to show exactly

the opposite. As John Parrott said, he will learn from this experience.

Absolute perfect angle on the blue. Could not get the cue ball any

better. Couldn't have been in a better place.

Great shot. It will do his confidence the world of good if you

could win at this visit. Absolutely. And particularly if he could make a

century here. Nothing like a century. It proves to the audience

you have your right to be there. chance. Looks to be screwing across

to play the black in the same pocket as this red.

In the end, he decided not to risk that and played the blue but he has

played nicely. The only thing is, he is slightly on the wrong side of the

blue. He would have liked to have stayed at this end of the table.

When I suggested a play for the black in the same pocket as the red,

the black is now not available in either corner. He will have to

concentrate on the blue. No, it doesn't go.

It's not straightforward. It doesn't go on the left hole either. So just

a little bit of work to do. Perfect on that bed. You can always

tell when a player becomes perfect. He deals with this blue now, nice

angle. And now purposely playing for one of these threads, which will

make the black available. -- these reds. But this time he's just short

of a perfect position on the blue. You have to do is say that's a

little bit careless. Just the wrong side of the blue line. It's amazing

how often that happens. If you are too hard, you've got pink, yellow,

green, brown. It happened so many times, you just take the shot for

granted. He has put himself under pressure now if he's going to take

brown. No, he's going to play the easy blue. He will have a tough shot

now with the red. I would have been tempted to take the tougher Iran to

get nicely on the red. -- tougher brown. Struck Bardwell. 44. --

struck that well, 44. Good shot right in the heart of the pocket. So

now just one good positional shot, it all depends on the line and

length of this. If he can get perfect on the red, you think you

could win the frame now the black is available.

Remember, the black is only available into the left corner

pocket. He won't be able to play for it here. No, back-up for the blue.

He needs the angles this time. Not got it again. You can hear him tap

his chalk on the side of the table. Frustration.

If he takes the cue ball between green and brown, on the right-hand

side, the side caution, bring the cue ball down between those four

reds, that's what he has played. He was always going to be unlucky

there. Yes, he's on the red Line now because I don't think he will risk

playing for the black. At the moment, just 67 remaining. If he

goes for the blue, he will still need one more red. I don't think you

will risk playing for the black. It could go wrong.

And, this time, 54. He's got what he needs on the blue. Just the right

side of the blue line. This blue and one more red and he will have his

first frame on the scoreboard. For quite a while. The red to go 59

ahead with just 51 remaining. Well played.

He really will be concentrating here on making this century. It's very

important. He does not want to miss on a careless shot. 84. It build his

confidence. Appreciation from the audience that he can clear the table

here. And also he's got to think, Ronnie has not done anything special

tonight. During the interval, there were

rumours Ronnie was not happy with his tip and was going to change it.

And there he goes. Hez slams are not black and that will make him feel

real good. He is still a long way behind. On the scoreboard. But he

has shown everybody here this evening he is up for the fight. He

trails by three, 8-5. Ronnie O'Sullivan.

STUDIO: Joe's dad Peter is thrilled with that one of. The record, this

format, without the wild card event, it is 28, so we might get close to

that, you never know, but regardless of whether we do or not, it's the

fifth century of the week for Joe Perry and what a response. Seven

frames in a row. A fabulous character. He has come

back from the interval with a better attitude. He wasn't within himself

there. He got his chance and the boys said on commentary, if you

could make a century, that's great. In one visit, that's what is done,

well done. The second century of the night. I like the ending as well,

you knocked in the black with a bit of than. In a way, thinking of my

own game, you've got to start having a bit of attitude in your game -- a

bit of venom. Just get a bit stroppy Fulford it's all about me, me, me.

If he can change... Don't worry, you did it! You said venom with a bit of

venom, actually. He needs to go into himself and start looking nasty

around the table. OK, I don't know if you can convey that to Joe. Three

frames in it again. Although we are laughing, that's a

fair point Steve made. That's what he needed this afternoon, when he

was four up, that nasty streak, that killer instinct. He did not have it.

Is it too late now? Lovely shot. Is it going to pull up? Not quite.

Just an inch too far. Looks like a touching ball. That's

what the referee, Paul Callier, has called, so back to baulk for Ronnie,

because away from a touching ball, you are deemed to have hit it.

Good length with the cue ball. And, in these situations, you don't mind

being able to hit the reds. You never know, you could always knock

one over the corner. Is it too thick? Is it too thin? And he will

be bringing reds into play here, so he needs a good return. There is the

red going towards the corner. Come and have a look. It looks

mighty thin, though. Got it a mile to thick. You can see

on Ronnie's face. He played the right-hand side. Just

did not hit it well. Joe has just about got the angle on the blue. The

red next to the black could part into the right-hand corner. I'm sure

that's the one he wants to get to as quick as possible. -- pot. Good

chance, this. Especially coming hot on the heels of making a century in

that last frame. He should be feeling good.

On this black, he has got to be wary he does not make contact with the

red near the top cushion. He makes are certainly the pot. He

would liked to have played where Stephen mentioned before. But the

pot on the black was important. You just feel he needs one good

positional shot. Pot this red and go round the back

of the black. It's a tough shot. Playing for the black in the same

pocket as the red. Excellent touch. Making it a comfortable chance in

one visit. Straight screw back shot to the red, for the same pocket.

He winds up just below the pink but he desperately needs the right angle

for the blue, now. Well, maybe just about got it. He had like a little

bit more angle than this. -- he would like a little bit more angle

than this. It boils down to a good shot of this

green. It's a good line. And it's an excellent length, that's perfect.

APPLAUSE I would have been tempted to play

the other red. It means you'd leave more room to get properly on the

black. He's left himself with a slightly awkward angle.

The advantage of course, he only needs the red. 62 points ahead with

just 59 remaining. APPLAUSE He's on a roll, now, is Joe Perry.

And back centuries not out of the question. -- back-to-back centuries.

He has to think to himself how the scoring has gone in this match. The

total points, Joe Perry is ahead of O'Sullivan. Out of the two players,

he's the one that's winning his frames mostly in one visit. You've

got to take confidence from that. That's a pity, but nevertheless...

He's now just two behind. 8-6. STUDIO: He obviously heard that

lecture on venom from Steve Davis. What a complete turnaround and what

a very strange match. Its ebbs and flows. The intervals, if there'd

stayed out of it, it would have been 10-4. His attitude has come out,

he's hit the ball better than he's hit it in the match. His focus is

totally there. The thing to turn this much around, he's got to play

gnomish snooker and get some help from his opponent. The momentum

shifts are difficult to explain. Joe isn't going to question that right

now. And the change in attitude perhaps, the change in form is very

marked indeed. Very impressive, the last two frames. Joe has played well

when there's not much expectation on him, he's easier to play from

behind. Even though those last two frames have been wonderful, I'd be

far more impressed if he wins the next frame. This is the situation we

found ourselves in. Not quite on the brink last night against Barry

Hawkins. 2-5 behind against Barry and needed a snooker in the next

frame. Got it and extraordinarily clawed his way across the line. I

wonder how much comfort, how much inspiration you take from having

come through a match like that? There's nothing better than having

table time. He should be able to continue. If he gets the

opportunities, he's had the last frames. 8-4 behind, 8-5, 8-6, you

stop thinking, I'm back in this match. Can he play with the same

attitude he's played within the last two frames? That's the question.

Let's find out. Masters on Sunday night, you just can't beat it!

COMMENTATOR: You know now that Joe stepped up his game. Still got a two

frame cushion, has Ronnie. Since the interval, Joe Perry is just

beginning to steal the show. He won't be the first player to play

an aggressive shot. Ball spotted, 215 apiece. -- balls potted. Points

scored, Joe Perry in front, pickers the frames that he's one, he's been

able to win more of one visit. Ronnie purposely left him the chance

to hit that one. He's left a pot on, here. Right in the heart of the

pocket! Good cueing, that. Read at the bottom of the bunch will go to

the top 's corner. This looks absolutely perfect.

The reds just to the left of the bunch, excellent shot. The cue ball

ends up back in the black cushion. He's got one to the right middle.

He's got to do a little bit with the cue ball. Can't just drop it in.

Catching the bumper, the corner pocket, has left his cue ball very

close to the side cushion. Makes it a little bit awkward, now.

One of these type of shots, if you can plot the blue, then it's natural

to come off two cushions and play the red second night on the table.

It still needs potting. Obstructed him beautifully.

Once again, a trace of right-hand side on it and pushed the cue ball

in. That's exactly what Steve Davis

meant when he was saying he'd be more impressed if Joe Perry can win

this frame. It's all right in the last two frames when you've relaxed

a bit and you feel you're out of it. But that was a chance. To keep the

pressure on. Maybe the red just below the pink is available, into

the same pocket as the black. Just about on it. He'd like to have been

straight on it. That was a delightful shot. Judged the cannon

on the pink to perfection. I think he may just have one, to the

left corner. He set up the last two frames and

watched Joe Perry make 100 and a 90 odd. Ronnie would love to make a one

frame visit himself, here. Karen between the red, black and pink,

didn't get into the cue ball. Must have missed this red. Must have

really wanted to leave. Does this go to the middle? It does. He knew it

was running into the blue. The pot was more important than the

position. And now the blue has gone in on track to win the frame of this

visit. And the possible century. Damien Hirst, a great friend of

Ronnie's. Ronnie always tells me he keeps him happy during the

intervals. Always having a joke together. Has he missed it? Oh, he

nearly did. It was on the jaw. How has that gone in, John? This week

some balls have gone in which have baffled me. That's frame ball. I can

only put it down to the speed he played it. Surely a bit harder it

wouldn't have gone in. Joe Perry had a chance when Ronnie missed, but he

couldn't take it. Ronnie would love to make a century, here.

Well, there was a question being asked of Ronnie, and at the second

chance has taken these really well. The standard has certainly risen in

the last three frames. This'll be the first century of the

match from Ronnie. He seemed breaks of 92 in the last frame, from Joe

Perry. APPLAUSE

What a reply from the Rocket! Just when it looked as though Joe Perry

was getting back in this match, he's turned on the afterburner. Superb.

Ronnie O'Sullivan now is just one frame away from a seven Masters

title. 9-6. STUDIO: One frame away from back-to-back titles. His young

son is in their, very proud of his dad. And, guys, we are looking

potentially at a 17th major title in this board for Ronnie O'Sullivan.

And his competitive instincts are showing through. It's his first

century of the match. Vast experience, to break your heart a

bit. With Joe's perspective. There were still a few reds open at one

stage. He put in a great pink, smashed into the pack of reds and

forced an angle and open them up enough to make it a clear-cut

chance. He's such a great talent in all departments. Under pressure,

other players would have perhaps tried to wheedle balls out there but

he really tried to force the issue. You've got to cue those beautifully,

to get any work out of the cue ball, it was virtually straight there.

Kept the break going. A wonderful way to stem the mini revival from

Joe Perry. Renaissance Joe knows he's got to win the last four. It's

been done by Ronnie in the World Championship. He knows it can be

done but he's not done it yet. The last victory Joe had over Ronnie was

nine years ago. So, a long time. A mountain to climb to Joe Perry.

COMMENTATOR: Decent break off a shot. Any time you don't leave a pot

on... Ronnie is having a look at this end of the table. I don't think

he can get to the potting angle of this red. I think he can hit it, can

he pot it? Just had to play the containing safety. We've had three

marvellous frames of snooker. It was a little bit scrappy before the

mid-session interval. Since they've come back out, the standard has gone

up many notches. Former leader of the Labour Party,

Ed Miliband. He was chatting to Ronnie in the interval, telling him

how well he was doing. And there, peeping through is Ronnie

Junior. He's got away with it... I say he's got away with it, that red

he's played... If Ronnie has got the right angle, he may play this red to

the right middle. It all depends on the angle of the pot. Maybe he's not

got the right angle. Maybe he has. Does it reach? Does it reach... It's

always difficult sometimes, when you're very close to a ball and

you're frightened of playing a push shot. He's left his read on. -- his

red on. OK, maybe straight on the blue but there a red on the

left-hand side of the table. He has to screw back an inch and he'll beat

on that red. The black available into both corner pockets. A decent

chance. I can't see anything available. He

looks as though he's going to have to go into them, here. He's not got

the angle to play the red to the top vision. He's got to fully commit to

this but whatever you do, don't miss the black. Is he on this red? I must

admit I'm surprised he didn't go into the pace there. He opens

everything up. I don't think now is the time to play tentative shots. I

think you've got to attack. Considering to play this pot and

using a white -- a right-hand side swerve but this is dangerous. You

play it more out of frustration, and it being the shot to play, he's held

himself together and had to bite the bullet and play safe. A

disappointing finish. Careless. Schoolboy error. And that,

well, there's quite a bit to do, but could that be his last shot in this

year 's Masters? It's not beyond the realms of possibility. Because

there's one thing you know for certain, Ronnie O'Sullivan will not

shy away from the winning line. Trying to rough the tip up, he's not

happy with the tip. He's trying to press it with the groups in the file

to try and get a bit of softness into the tip. He feels it's too

hard, he's not getting the action of the cue ball, he's not getting to

screw back. That's more like it. Aggressive shot. Great chance, now.

Nicely played. All the reds he requires an now in pottable

positions. It's a case of holding yourself together, now. He knows he

can't afford a mistake. It's where the pressure's going to come from.

He's been gifted this opportunity, he's got to take it.

Is he on the pink? Did the cue ball just stop in time? It must have

done. A little shake off the head. I think he's on it. He's on it. He

just wanted to be slightly off straight. The other side of the pink

to get nicely on the next red. That wasn't the best of contacts. He's

going to have to play a tough pot here, to the far left corner. A 52

point lead, still a possible 83 points remaining. That equates to

three more of these reds needed. If he plays for the black, it's like a

shot to nothing. Can't leave anything. It was like a shot for

nothing but he should have got that. He knows it. He would pot that, nine

times out of ten. That is a nice nudge. Covering the

red. This time Joe can see the red.

Ronnie would not mind Joe playing that. No intention of taking that

red away from there. Another red safe here.

He will have a chance to take the red away from the safe position and

the cue ball behind yellow and brown. He just hit the red a bit

wide. Now the way the reds are spread, any mistake, even though Joe

has this lead, it could still cost him this match. He has to be very

careful he does not offer up a chance to Ronnie. Great shot! What a

shot that was! That will win the frame, surely.

I looked at Joe's dad, he did not clap, he just shook his head. It's

great! The pink will put him 67 points in

front with 67 remaining. Just looking for the red and he is nicely

on it, I think, to the left middle. He is looking at the one to the left

corner, but the left middle would be my choice. This for snookers

required. He is hanging on in there, Joe.

Every credit. He has shown great character, Joe

Perry. If he could just win the next game to get one behind. It would be

interesting to see what would happen. Still that two frame

cushion. Well he was trying to get the

cannon, but it does not matter. Both players are going to leave the

reader. Joe Perry brought it back to two. STUDIO: 42-year-old Joe Perry

has tried for 26 years to get into the final of one of snooker's three

major tournaments and what a performance he is putting up. He is

learning a lot about himself. How is the situation changing as he gets

closer and Ronnie has moved away? He was in -- impressive from 8-4 to 8-6

but it is different now. If he wins the nets, he has nowhere to go. He

can somehow, if he can play the superhero, he could get over the

line. It needs help from Ronnie O'Sullivan but Joe has a chance. He

is getting help. Ronnie missed a black, pretty straightforward. But

then Joe had a cracking shot from the cushion. He could not hit this

better. In the circumstances, fabulous. This is the form he has

shown all week. Beating two class players. Stuart Bingham 6-1. Ding

Junhui, 6-1. Coming back to beat Barry Hawkins. Ronnie is still

unhappy with the tip that was put on yesterday in dramatic circumstances

in the semifinal against Marco Fu. It would appear that the tip put on

was very hard, as well. But a very hard tip quickly becomes a very hard

tip. He is back to square one. This is why he was trying to soften it up

a bit. He will need help Ronnie. Ronnie will not need many chances to

get over the line and so Joe cannot make too many mistakes. He has

breathing space as long as he keeps up the pressure and does not miss

any easy ones. Joe Perry still has it all to do, but my goodness, what

a great fight. He has shown brilliant character in his first

major final. If he could just win this one, boy, would it get

interesting. We have known some very dramatic nights at the Masters

finals before. Paul Hunter, the man after whom the trophy has been

renamed was the master of it all, three times he came back. Huge

deficits. I wonder if there is a sting in the tail here tonight, as

well. Back we go. No pot left for Joe here. In the

last frame, Ronnie had a chance to clinch frame and match. Unlike him,

he missed a black from the spot. Oh, that makes a difference. Is he

on a baulk colour? He is, yellow or green. You cannot beat a bit of

luck. Can he take advantage? What a time of the match this would

be to start getting a good run of the ball.

He put the red into the right-hand side of the pocket which is why the

cue ball has travelled too far. I'm not sure he played for this red

at the back of the pack. I think he played for an open red but it looks

as if he can see enough of it to pot it and from the potting angle, can

he reach? He played it nicely. Not the best position shot, in all

honesty. It means he has more to do with the cue ball.

But not too much. I didn't realise the pink went.

So now a good angle needed. It depends where the pink goes. Does it

go of it spot? -- on its spot. He would prefer to play for the blue? I

think so, looking at the shape of the reds. If you place for the

black, there is only one red to hit, really. He is playing for the black.

Oh, dear. We will give him the benefit of the doubt and say it was

a massive bounce off the cushion. I cannot believe he has overhit it

that much. I still think he should have gone up for the blue.

This is a strange choice, the spider. He could have run off the

black the other side and come off the cushion.

He will be opening the reds, so he will need a good cue ball.

He has not got one. Hitting the baulk colour in the face. Never

good. Right in the middle. I think he has

a couple of reds that go to the left corner.

They looked tight. It may go to the same pocket as the black. Obviously

it does. He has finished low, not deliberately, I am sure, so he will

be disturbing some reds here. He could have done without the flick

on the blue. If he had, he would be nicely on the brown. You fancy him

potting yellow but it is getting the rest between the blue and the white.

It makes it awkward. The last thing you need on the vital pot is any

distraction. He has to put all his attention into

this pot. This could definitely be his last shot if he misses the

yellow. He left the rest on the table and he

has picked it up. As the yellow come to his rescue? REFEREE: Settle down,

please. I do not think he has left anything, nothing that will tempt

Ronnie. The safety shot, trying to get the cue ball in behind the

green. That yellow for Joe Perry would have been no problem

whatsoever, could he have put the rest in the normal position, but,

awkward as it was, and how he missed it, he was lucky not to leave

anything. He was lucky to have missed the yellow by so far, which

is why he did not leave the red. There we go. The red to the left of

the yellow is available. But, with Ronnie 39 points behind, pressure,

he needs to get it. But not an easy red. Ronnie just

smiling, I do not think he is smiling because he is happy. At the

minute, Ronnie O'Sullivan looks like he needs to fall over the line. Oh,

Joe. You feel this is what Ronnie was

looking for, and ICC starter. -- and easy starter. He has landed perfect

on the blue. He will have the red on the left-hand side cushion to

contend with if he is going to win the frame and match at this visit.

He needs to really focus here, Ronnie.

He played that well. Almost straight. He forced it into the top

cushion. A good positional shot. Joe Perry will be sitting there

wondering if he will ever get back to the table. He will be hoping, as

well, the red on the left-hand side cushion, the one that Ronnie just

glanced at, could be his saviour. He will be pinning his hopes on the

red. This is clever. He is purposefully

playing for the yellow, to get it on its spot because if he can get on

the yellow, it will be a nice cannon to disturb the red on the left-hand

side cushion. Talking about looking four shots ahead.

Having said that, he has not got the angle on the red to play for the

yellow, which I think was in his mind.

He has played for the yellow. It needs to slow down. He can get to

the yellow. And off the yellow he can disturb the red. What a snooker

brain this man has got. Well, just caught the red too thin. But to even

think of it. Still three points adrift. Whoever

puts this red, you feel, will win the frame. It will not be Ronnie at

this visit. Not got the snooker. But it is safe

enough. If he is playing the up and down he

will have to avoid the double-kiss. I thought when he got down quick, I

thought it is not as straightforward as that. Beware the double-kiss.

Well, in making certain he did not get the double-kiss, he did not play

the best safety. I do not think he has left a pot on but he could get

the initiative here, in the tactical battle, Joe Perry. For me, whoever

pots this red will win the frame. He might have rolled up the cue ball

behind the pink. There is pressure on every shot Joe

Perry plays. Every shot could be his last.

Yes, the point of no return. And this is a big ask, to get this safe.

You always think in these situations if you can leave distance between

the cue ball and the object ball, it might make it too difficult for your

opponent. But so many things can go wrong here.

Well, under the circumstances, that is a pretty good shot. Just

concentrating on making sure of getting the red say. -- save.

He did not want a kiss on the blue. Can Joe get through to the potting

angle? Just looking at his body language, maybe he can just hit

enough of the red. No, he is playing safe.

He avoided the kiss on pink and blue. But he has not got the

snooker. He has got it safe. Ronnie will try to get the cue ball in

behind green and brown. You feel if somebody could lay a snooker here,

they would be a big favourite for the frame. Not quite the line, but a

good length. Again, all he could do was

concentrate on getting the object ball safe.

Overhit it. This red does cut. It is thin. He may consider the safety the

easier option, but it definitely cuts. The only problem, they cut so

thin, if you missed it, you tend to leave it over the pocket. Where's

the cue ball going? O. If it goes in, match over. Fractions.

I think Ronnie caught that too thick, to say the least. I still

maintain whoever potss this red wins this frame and Joe Perry is taking

it on. Close. Is he going to leave it? I

think he has. Has the brown come to his rescue? I don't think it has.

He can pot that. Ronnie can get through to this red. So here is the

chance. For frame and match. This yellow will make the points all

square. He could have played it better.

You would have to say for most of the tournament he has been far from

his best but what he has shown is the phenomenal will to win. Once

again, not the best positional shot. But a tremendous pot. The blue will

put him 14 points in front with just 13 remaining.

In it goes. He has developed the pink. This is a big moment for

Ronnie to break Stephen Hendry's record of six Masters titles. He has

taken the tip off. He did not like it. Joe Perry says congratulations.

Joe Perry, boy, did he play hard tonight, absolutely brilliant. He

knew in the middle of the match he did not perform as he would have

liked. Ronnie O'Sullivan, takes the tip off and throws it to the floor.

Puts his cue on the table but he will be delighted when he reflects

on this because, for the seventh time, he is the Masters champion.

Congratulations. There is younger Ronnie getting a hug. He beats Joe

Perry 10-7. STUDIO: Ronnie is celebrating. Let me grab a word with

our gallant runner-up. Joe, what a week, what a performance, you prove

yourself this week with the fantastic run to the final and the

way you performed. I proved a lot. I proved there is life left in me and

it has given me believed to keep plugging away and try to win a big

one. He is a tough man to stay in front of? I got him on a good day.

He did not get into full flow. I lost my way at 4-1 and lost it a

little bit. 8-4 down I thought sod it, and I will go for it again. I

had my chances. Fair play to Ronnie. CHEERING. Joe, it has taken you 26

years of your career to get to one of these finals. It has had me no

end of taste. This crowd has been amazing and when I stand on those

steps, every time my stomach goes, I feel sick, but it is a great feeling

and that is what you take the game up for, nights like these. Joe

Perry. CHEERING. Ladies and gentlemen, your winner

for the seventh time, Ronnie, how tough did Joe make it for you today?

Joe played a brilliant tournament. A really good match. He should have

beaten me today. I really got lucky. He's going to come again and he's

going to win tournaments. The way he's played, he's a tough, tough

competitor. I'm just relieved to have got over the line. I've had a

great week, the fans have been unbelievable. CHEERING

I've really enjoyed the week. Today was a test. This whole week has been

a test. Not just for snooker reasons... There's no one beside

you, there's no one in front of you. It's just you out on your own with

seven Masters titles now, that must be a wonderful feeling. CHEERING

APPLAUSE Listen, it's great to get some

records. There's still the World Championships to get. I'll try and

make that one as well! Listen, when I was young I was just happy to have

won one. To have won seven, someone must be up there looking after me.

I'm not greedy, I just appreciate every opportunity I get to come out

here and play in front of these fantastic people. Finally, ladies

and gentlemen, I know that you will appreciate was about to happen.

You're about to lift the Paul Hunter Trophy. You've done this in a

comeback style Paul would have approved of. What kind of honour is

that for you tonight? I won the Paul Hunter classic in Germany, that

meant so much to me. A player of Paul's stature and what he did in

the game, he deserves to have his name on a tournament like this.

APPLAUSE He'll never be forgotten. All the

players love him. If he's up there, you are there in our hearts and our

minds and we'll love you. Well said, you are champion for a seventh time.

Ronnie O'Sullivan. APPLAUSE Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome

your presentation party. APPLAUSE Ladies and gentlemen, your

runner-up, what a fantastic week it has been. Collecting a cheque for

?90,000 and some fantastic memories, Joe Perry! APPLAUSE

And the winner, receiving a cheque for ?200,000, the Trophy and the

title 2017, Masters champion Ronnie O'Sullivan! APPLAUSE

Once again, ladies and gen -- ladies and gentlemen, your champion Ronnie

O'Sullivan! The 17th major title of his career, a seventh Masters.

Ronnie confirming he's still got a seventh world title on his mind. He

says he doesn't care about these records? A fantastic achievement. He

now owns the outright lead in one of snooker's three major titles. He's

been chasing you and Stephen Hendrie all of his career. This is a really

significant moment for him. It proves how great a player he is. I

know he what hasn't won as many were championships as Stephen Hendrie but

in a modern-day error his five is a worthy record in itself. To win

seven Masters, he's made this event his own. He's produced so much

astonishing snooker in such an entertaining way as well. It was

1999 the last time one of the snooker majors was owned outright.

This is a serious point of history for the snooker watchers amongst us.

Very much so, Hazel. It's fitting that is him. He's a local boy, his

performances have been nothing short of spectacular. To be in 12 finals

is an unbelievable record. He's an absolute class act. Despite the fact

he wasn't at his best, and he wasn't today, his application and attitude

has been spot-on. He was a deserved winner. The fact that he wasn't at

his best, he's still capable of winning an event, augurs well for

the future for Ronnie O'Sullivan should he wish to carry on playing.

It's not like he's got to be fit to the floor all the time to win the

events. He's still got something in the locker. That's a significant

point. He started the week saying he wanted to be the Lionel Messi of

snooker and he's entered it more or less the Roy Keane, that fearsome

spirit coming through the whole time. You could tell by his shot

selection this week, for people who play the game, refusing shots and

playing the safety and waiting and being patient, trying to trap his

opponent. He found the way to win this week and that was impressive.

Does that bode well for the World Championships? I think so. The

Masters seeking better. It's a shorter format and we'll struggle

and have done in the past with the longer format. He can take a lot of

confidence from this. As a joke, I asked whether it had given him a

taste for more at the age of 42. What a fantastic landmark

achievement for him to night. It makes two people to make a great

final. Earlier when I said it toughened him up, I meant to say it

made him more streetwise. His first major final, he had a fish on a hook

and he let it go. When he looks back, he'll learn from that. The

next snooker on the BBC is on BBC Two Wales from the 13th of February.

It is the Welsh Open. Ronnie with another title to defend in Cardiff.

Before you know it, The Crucible will be beckoning again. The 40th

anniversary year of the World Championship in Sheffield. 15th of

April is the start date for the annual 17 day marathon. That is it

from Alexandra Palace and will leave you with Ronnie O'Sullivan in

seventh heaven. Goodbye from us all here.

The Robshaws are going back in time again.