Semi-Final: Joe Perry v Barry Hawkins Masters Snooker

What a fabulous atmosphere. What a thrill to walk into the arena to

that reception. A fantastic pot. That is the shot of

the tournament. It's there. It's been a fabulous semifinal. It would

have graced any final, but in the end, Ronnie O'Sullivan, well, he was

just brilliant and he goes on to beat Marco Fu by 6-4. He's in the

final. Hello, Ronnie O'Sullivan is the talk of Alexandra Palace

tonight, as he has been so often here, having booked his place in a

12th masters final. The Masters exploded into life this afternoon,

after what he considered the most amazing win of his career. The

second semifinal this evening against another packed house will be

between Joe Perry and Barry hawkins. Now both of these men are two of

snooker's hardy annuals. They have been there or there abouts for many

years. It was Barry Hawkins who got to the final here last year. He was

beaten 10-1 on that occasion. It was a disappointing night for him. It

should not be forgotten the brilliance of his run to get there

in the first place. Unbelievable match. That what it

means to Barry Hawkins. He's made three century breaks and it's nice

to see the two boys having a chat there. He's reversed that result

when he lost a couple of years ago, 6-5. He's a very popular winner.

Barry Hawkins defeats Judd Trump by 6-4. Great match boys.

His son is here again. So is the six times former masters winner himself

Stephen Hendry. Barry Hawkins hadn't won a single game until he turned up

last year. He's bidding for two finals in the row. He loves a big

occasion. He's also done really well at The Crucible, the biggest

tournament in our calendar. He obviously loves the big occasion and

saves his best for these events. For world number nine Joe Perry, this is

a hat-trick for him. He's in the semifinals of the World Championship

and the United Kingdom champion and what does he need to do to take the

last step into the final? I think all he can do is trust his own

ability, believe that he's good enough. He obviously hasn't won any

of the three majors, all he can do is go out, there trust his game is

going to be good enough and hope that carries on through. He's

conceded fewer frames than anybody, two in wins over Stuart Bingham and

Ding Jun Wei. What's happened to him? I think two or three things,

perhaps the fact there's no ranking points. He doesn't have to worry

about that. If he loses in the first round he doesn't get any points.

This venue is incredible. He's inspired to play well. Maybe he

feels he's got nothing to lose. Talking about being disillusioned

with the game and what he's going to do and he's inspired. He's played

great stuff. We're really looking forward to this. This is the 11th

big match between these great friends over 14 years. Ironically,

Joe Perry was the first man that Barry Hawkins ever beat at the

Masters, that was only last year in the first round here. It's the first

time they've met in the rarefied semifinal atmosphere in any

tournament. There'll be no old pals act this evening. My first dream was

to play at the Masters. I saw Jimmy White walk out, it was my dream to

get down there and play. I achieved that. Now you want to get better and

better and achieve more, sort of, boyhood dreams. It will be difficult

going out to play a good friend. Sometimes it creates a scrappy game.

Hopefully we both play well and it doesn't go scrappy. Our

personalities get on. We've just gelled. We talk about things,

nothing, not always snooker. It's a semifinal. I'm still here. That's

the main thing. As long as I'm still in it, I'll try my best. It would be

unbelievable if I could go all the way. Barry's' tough match for

everyone. He's been to the world final. He got to the final here last

year. Everyone knows how good he is. Got to try and be better than him in

all departments. You've had great scraps over the years with some of

your friends, like a certain Mark Williams. Shall I mention the '9 8

final, possibly not. I just roll my eyes! How difficult is it to play a

friend? Difficult. Tonight's match could go two ways. They could either

both fly out of their skin or be really scrappy. They're both in the

practise room chatting to each other, I don't understand how people

can be friendly. Never did that? No, don't do friends before a match.

Especially a night like tonight. Once they're out here, they know

what's at stake. The chance to play Ronnie O'Sullivan here tomorrow.

There's one very nervous fellow the 1979 world champion Terry Griffiths.

He's in Barry Hawkins' coaching corner. He's hoping his man makes to

back-to-back finals tonight. Spending loads of time in the

practice room and great success with Barry Hawkins. Yes, he's playing

very well. He got to the final last year. He's having a good season this

year. He's very easy to work with. I've been with him four or five

years now. He's got everything in his game. He's a top four player. He

can produce a top-four performance. But he isn't getting in the top four

at this moment in time. I think his opponents, there's no doubt about

it, don't underestimate him at any time. Technically, perhaps not so

many changes, is it more of a mental thing you're working with him?

Initially, when I started with Barry and we done a little bit then. It

wasn't a lot, you know. His action is very, very consistent. He's got a

lovely, smooth delivery through the ball. He comes back a long way. He

doesn't make the ball go into the pocket too fast, as you know, it

helps a lot then just to get through the corners of something. Most of it

is mental now. We chat all the time. Arguably, you could have said he's

too nice a guy. Have you made him harder, nastier? I wouldn't say

that. He's a very competitive person. He's a nice guy, but once

he's out there, he's very competitive. I feel that I help the

players with most of the time is being with them at tournaments, when

they need somebody just to chat to. If they're in a bad frame of mind

coming off 3-1 down or something like that, I'm there to chat with

them and watch them on the table and tell them, you know, that if they

hit it bad, they know, I tell them. Then we do something, if they're

hitting it good, I just leave it. He looks like he's got more belief.

He's got more belief because he's playing better and having more

success. Like you used to work with Terry, why is he such a good man to

have in your corner, what does he do? The biggest advantage Terry has

over other coaches, he's been there and done it. He's been in the pit,

as it were. If you're in the dressing room and you want to moan

about things, he knows exactly what you're going through. He must have

done a fantastic job. We remember Barry Hawkins in the final last

year, yet he came back to beat O'Sullivan a few months later. Part

of the repair work done by Terry over the weeks? I think between

Terry and Barry, you just think that you've been beaten by the better man

on the day. That result doesn't happen too often. You get destroyed

like, that just forget. It he did a good job. He came back and beat him

at the world champion shns. He's eradicated the memory of the final

last year. Ronnie O'Sullivan is waiting for one of them and MC rob

Walker is waiting for both of them. Over to you.

Good evening, ladies and gentleman, this is the very last session of

snooker before tomorrow's final, the only question - which of the two

best mates waiting back stage will be joining the Rocket in one of the

sport's show piece show downs, it's time to find out!

Please welcome a player bidding for his second successive Masters final.

So far this week, he's beaten Shaun Murphy 6-#1, the reigning world

champion, Mark Selby 6-3, twice a ranking event winner. He's poised

and ready for this. Here comes the Hawk, Barry Hawkins!

And his opponent, a player who finds himself in uncharted territory

tonight, having never made it to the semis before. He's done so conceding

only two frames so far this week. This is without doubt one of the

biggest matches of his 26-year career. So please raise the roof for

the gentleman, Joe Perry! STUDIO: Such an important occasion

for both men. Watching this best of 11 frame semifinal, our commentary

team. COMMENTATOR: Absolutely, this is a

big night for both players. Well mistake straight away. I was

just going to say with the reception they got coming in the arena, there

will be a bit of nerves out there. Shown up almost immediately. Yeah

absolutely. Understandable. Not the start Joe Perry would have liked. He

has a wry smile on his face. A half chance for Barry Hawkins. We

might see a little bit of this. On the form both players have played to

get to this stage, it's been of top quality. He haven't missed many of

these in the previous couple of matches.

Great atmosphere. Wonderful arena and great reception for both players

coming down those stairs. Let's have a rerack and start again,

shall we? He's left a possibility of this red

to the corner. Barry seeing if he can get to the red by the black into

the right middle. He'll be thinking he was entitled to an easier

opportunity than this. So Joe Perry, even though he made a

bad break of shot, missed a fairly easy mid-distance red has got a good

chance here. Won't keep missing them, that's for

sure. He's tried to get on the black

there. It's a good pot. But just didn't get enough topspin that he

needed to go over a few more inches. Good pot. Being a right-hander as

well, it's on his side of the table. If he could get the cue ball

somewhere in the vicinity of the little white circle there.

He can screw the cue ball across the left-hand side of the table now.

This will certainly help his cause getting the black back on his spot.

Fortunate there. Another day that could have ruined

position completely. He played to go past that red.

It didn't affect the positional side. This these type of matches,

where there's a lot at stake, it's always good to get off to a good

start, get your hand on the table, make a sizeable break.

It didn't go into the heart of the pocket that black. It's just hit the

left jaw. Not too bad on this red. He can use the red and bring more

reds into play here. Didn't expect that one. The black

had struggled in previously. That's why he was low on this red. He's not

settled just yet, hasn't Joe. He's done pretty well there. It's

never that easy when the ball's in the jaws of the pocket and

particularly - there you go! That could have dropped on the table and

knocked all the balls everywhere. Did well to get on the black as good

as this. Joe Perry had his chance. Didn't

make the most of. It -- of it. What can Barry do with him?

Only the one loose red to play for at the moment. I think he may play

for that. He could play the yellow and come off the side cushion into

them. Early on, if it were in a later

frame, he may have played that cannon. Now he needs a good angle on

the black. This is the last of the obvious

reds. There's one loose from the cluster

that might be on to the left middle. Good angle on the black to try to

bring them all into play. Need to push the cue threw smooth on

that -- through smooth on that type of shot. He's not perfect on this

black. A little bit too close to the cushion for comfort.

He can just roll it in dead weight, I suppose.

I think he's just OK for the outside red.

I think it's the extreme left one. Maybe he is on this one. It looks

tight. Yeah, good pot. Excellent shot. Again not the best angle. He

may be able to force the black in. Imperative he gets a good angle on

the black. He's got an horrendous kick there.

You can see it bounce. Your worse fears when you're playing a shot

like that. If he can come off the top cushion and cannon the right

hand red. Then he'll be back in prime position.

Not exactly as played. But he's on a red.

He's got a lovely angle on this red. Just got to make sure of the pot.

The cue ball will be going through the pack of reds.

The pink didn't come in, but he'll be happy with that.

That black puts Barry now 13 points in the lead. He can win this frame

without worrying about that red that's close to the right-hand side

cushion. Having said that, I'm not certain

whether the red that's close up to the pink is available.

He has brought it into play. He's on the red. The three reds, three

colours he needs. He's got the three reds in the open.

Yeah, excellent pot. Held nicely for the black.

Joe's going to need that red near the right cushion.

Tried to bring it into play-off that shot, but didn't get the angle.

He'll play for the red near the cushion now, off the blue.

Good pot. Never easy playing at that pace. He may just have the angle on

the brown. Just wondering, he's looking there,

indicating with his cue, he may Troy and leave the cue ball just below

the blue and leave the double on the red.

That's exactly where he would have wanted to put the cue ball. I always

worry about double, if you don't go in, which jaw do you leave it on.

Two points in it. A very tight opening frame.

Could use the black here to try and knock the red onto the black and

leave the red somewhere that the black isn't, bring the cue ball back

up. He's played this pretty good. Yes,

excellent shot. At first glance, I think the brown

is stopping him coming down the left-hand side, as he looks. That

brown just stopping the natural angle. It's coming down the

left-hand side as we look. He wanted to hit it off two cushions not one.

He's left it. Just trying to get the cue ball, he

won't be holding for black here, somewhere up towards the blue.

A little bit of movement in the crowd. This is virtually frame ball

you would have to say. Good pot. He's nicely on a ball

colour. They wouldn't have enjoyed the

opening exchanges of this first frame, but what an important frame

it is for either player, just to settle the nerves. Yeah and all the

mistakes that you make in the frame are easily forgotten if you win it.

Up to and including the blue. To get to the snookers required stage.

So just the blue to go 16 points in front. Just 13 remaining.

He's overscrewed it slightly. You want to pot the pink. He won't want

to give Barry Hawkins the chance of getting that snooker if he can help

it. But in goes the pink. Barry Hawkins

didn't punish him. 1-0. STUDIO: A little nervy. A few

fingers and thumbs from both players, literally. Your assessment

of the occasion and how the two of them look like they're feeling on

such a big occasion? I think it's a tough one for both of them. They

have a carrot dangled in front of them of tomorrow, a massive

occasion. Obviously two great friends. As I said, start of the

first frame was scrappy. I think it will improve. There'll be more,

because they've both been scoring well this week. There'll be more

frames won in one visit. It will be interesting to see if it goes 4-4,

how nervy it gets. Yeah and also, whilst they're great champions,

perhaps they haven't been in as many finals and final stages at the

Masters and big events as some of the players in this tournament.

Sometimes there's an expectation on you to produce a good match,

especially after the other semifinal was a good one. That's not the best

way to come into the match. You should just be really focussed on

your own performance. If there's any part of you starts to think, oh,

we're not making this a spectacle, that's not the right frame of mind

to be in. It's a long time to think about this. I saw Barry Hawkins

before the start of the first semifinal chatting away to him in

the press lounge, he was here long before that as well. He's been here

since about 12pm. It's a long time to wait for your match. Of the two

of them, I think Barry would love another chance at O'Sullivan after

what happened last year. Absolutely. We talked at the beginning of the

programme about how he rebounded after that. Pretty demoralising

defeat to O'Sullivan, 10-1 and beat him at The Crucible, first time for

many years and says he's learned a lot from that experience.

COMMENTATOR: This one in the right corner, they are letting people in,

the stewards. OK, it was between frames, but... Once the frame

started, they should not be allowed back into the arena. Type of pot

that both of these players would expect to get...

The black is out of commission, at the moment. A straight red, in the

pink to the right middle committee did not want to take it. -- he did

not want to take it. He would be disappointed with that safety. It

shows you, he does not feel like he wants to take an undue risk here. I

thought that in his last match against Mark Selby. I do not know

whether it was a game plan, but don't push the boat out too often,

and offer up easy chances. Yes, she played very well, made dividends --

he played very well. Part of it is getting a good cue ball, but now...

Should be over towards the yellow side of the table. Trying to block

any safety shot down the right-hand side of the table, that

straightforward. Could try, for Barry here, to have a cue ball, off

the cushions, between the yellow and the brown.

Again, a little light with the cue ball. Yes, looking for the baulk

cushion, did not reach the baulk line. A misjudgement. But, it's the

only thing that would tempt him to go for the pot. This one on the near

cushion, he would not fancy that. It is a possible cut. It seems that he

will play safe, swing it around, be careful not to make contact with the

blue office... Missing it quite comfortably but catching the yellow.

His hand was on the table. APPLAUSE

If you leave your opponent with his hand on the table... You are asking

for trouble! A good pot, nevertheless...

I do not think it's going to be the best of chances, even if the pink

doesn't go off its own spot. It comes separately, but that is out of

commission now really, as is the black. He's only got baulk and blue

colours to play with... Going to be difficult to win a frame,

particularly with how the reds R. In these kinds of situations, you have

to concentrate. Don't think about winning the frame but accumulate

points, and build up a useful lead. That was an excellent positional

shot, when potting this red, he will open the black, knocking it away

from the black comedy black will be on there. Perfect! Just but one shot

changing. One perfect positional shot... Now, the black is in play,

only available into one corner but it helps having a high value colour

available. Certainly, making his task a lot easier. A fantastic

positional shot. This could pot... There could be enough room. It looks

like in this bottom left-hand corner pocket, and the two rates below the

pink. Perhaps both of those could pot? -- and those two reds.

Just around the cue ball slightly, but it is still OK.

He just slipped the red... Still, a nice clean pot on the black. It

looks to have settled now. We had a look earlier at the red to

the left of the pink, a pot into the left centre. He's looking at the

school board, trying to work out how many he needs. He's doing his

calculations to work out how many reds and high value colours he will

need before his partner, Joe Perry, will have

to snooker. You can only think that he was thinking about that. Playing

that positional black to bring those couple of reds into play, but he

does not have the angle to do that. He's looking to see that red to the

left middle... It does not look like it, but we will soon know. He thinks

it is. I'm not sure. Playing it nicely. Just addressing

the cue ball on the right-hand side. Flicking the side onto it.

This is a pretty good break so far. When he came to the table, as you

rightly said, John, it did not look like a frame-winning opportunity but

that one positional shot from the brown has opened up the entire game

for him. Let's have another look. It was pinpoint, wasn't it? Inch

perfect. Bringing the black into play, and making this potential

frame-winning clearance, or contribution, possible. But he still

needs a red colour, and one more red. It's not a formality...

Slightly out of position. He does not have great angle on this

black... That's a wonderful shot! Excellent. APPLAUSE

He could not have played it much better. He is left-handed. 68 points

as the lead. This red could help Joe Perry...

Having to work hard for this break, it has been fantastic.

Brilliant! As soon as he hit sitcom he's walking after it. He has that

nice angle on the blue. He can bring a couple of these reds into play, if

he gets the cannon, but he took his eye off the blue. It was a terrific

break from Barry Hawkins, it really was top drawer. He's levelled the

match. Should be settled in... COMMENTATOR: There is the history of

Barry Hawkins... Thank you, third frame, Joe Perry to break. He would

love to be in that final tomorrow, Joe Perry. But he's got other things

on his mind... It's one frame apiece now. All play should have settled.

You don't really settle until you get that first frame onto the board.

Barry Hawkins will be feeling better after that last break on that last

frame. If the red which is closest to the

black does not pot into this bottom left-hand corner pocket, then this

may be worth taking on, this red here... Argh, a lovely shot.

Great cueing, a lovely angle on the black, nudging the red. This looks

pretty close... Just having to nudge it slightly. It's becoming a bit of

a poisoned chalice. It's funny, a lot the lads, if they win the toss,

they will put their opponents into break off, and the old way would

have been breaking off if you win the toss, but... It seems to have

changed over the years. Here is the break. Not that bad. It's just

bounced off the baulk cushion an inch or two. When you saw that the

red, just above the black, was available, it was a brave shot for

Barry to take on. A little thin on the green, more so

than he would like, but he won't miss this opportunity to pot green,

going into that cluster of reds... No. The problem is, when you play it

with that much pace committee don't have chance for the screw to take

effect, which is why he was not close enough to the middle pocket.

You need to be closer. The side did not have much chance to take effect

but he was playing at that pace, to bring that redinto the open.

Nevertheless, it's a big target and he would be disappointed that he

missed the cannon. And he will be disappointed with the safety, too.

He can play for the pink, or drop it in. Try and hole for the black...

This is going to be close to the corner pocket. Ooh... That will be a

little shock to the system for Joe Perry there. He is a tremendous

potter. It got close to the other corner, the one that he did not play

on. This will pot. It is a thin cut, but it goes. Did not attempt it...

It's a pretty good safety. Covering that escaped down the left-hand side

of the table. If he's trying to get baulk of this, be wary of that

double-kiss... All things considered, a good shot. OK, not on

the baulk line, but he was in a spot of bother there, Joe... He played it

well. I don't think Barry will be playing

the pot on this committee is looking close to where the red will go,

sending the cue ball back to the baulk end but there's always the

chance that you can knock it into the left-hand corner. Running into

the black... Decent enough safety. As you can

see, Joe can get the red on the left-hand side of the table, as he

looks as we do... If he catches it just right, there's a chance of him

getting in behind the yellow. A little too full committee catches

the bother-macro colours. If you leave with the hand on the table,

you have the chance of a pot. -- the baulk colours. Important safety

players, a bigger part of the game. Catching the baulk players and

leaving those opportunities... This looks to be a better safety.

Much better. That's what's going to happen. Your opponent keeps touching

those, you don't put pressure on him. And it makes it easier for him

to play a more aggressive safety shot. And put you in trouble. You

need to get that passed the baulk line is close to the top cushion as

possible. Looking at the safety success, both are at 67%, for Barry

Hawkins, well, 62% at the moment for Joe Perry.

I'm just wondering whether he will have a go at this red into the

left-centre. He certainly will now... Not entertaining it.

He may have been forced to play a pot here. He could play at, and he

knows that he would be catching the black. The reason I mention it, I do

not see an easy safety. There's no reason why he should not play the

pot on the red. He can catch the black which would keep the cue ball

on the left-hand side of the table. Taking it on... Ooh! Nobody could

have foreseen that. So unlucky. That's exactly what he thought, the

cue ball would go back up the table to hit the black perfectly to fly

into the corner... I'm lucky. -- it's unlucky.

Barry Hawkins had the option of putting Joe Perry back in, he

fancies this possible pot, get on the yellow and brown... It would be

a fluke if it went in. Catching it much to thin... Has the blue come to

his rescue? Not quite. Touch on the left-hand side. No problem bending

it around the blue. The problem was that he courted too full -- caught

it too full, which is why the cue ball did not go as far up the table

as he would have liked. Knew it immediately, looking at the pink.

This is the test... For such a difficult shot committee got down to

play it very quickly. -- for such a difficult shot, he got down to play

it very quickly. It's difficult to come across, you have two hit it

with some pace, taking the cue ball away from the cushion.

Not quite sure whether the red to the right of the black will pot, if

it does committee if it does, he could get on it here.

That shot would tell me that the red does pot, but you wouldn't be able

to from that position... Touching ball... It does not matter, as long

as the red that he is touching does not move... The alternative is to

the right, middle. He's not finished perfect. Stretching slightly. He

needs to get some cue power into this. Striking the ball very well,

doesn't he? Barry. Especially over the last few seasons, I think that

he has improved enormously. Sorry, Barry. It's the commentator's

curse! It went into the right-hand side of

the pocket, as we look here, he's not on the black. A let off for

Barry Hawkins. Trying to put the cue ball behind the yellow and brown

here... It is a big target. Very good. Very good. He will be

disappointed that it was not on the black. It was a good opportunity

there. Possible to cushion and escape here, but as long as you can

miss the black... Miss, Joe Perry four. It is a long

way down, but the first one is like a guide. He will readjust it now.

Quite conscious of hitting the black. He is going pretty close off

the top cushion. And he is conscious that he does not want to hit this

red half ball. He has had a couple of goes, he's not really been that

close. I suppose that he could get closer this time... And he did.

But... Now, is he going to leave a free ball? If he does... If it is a

snooker, I would be inclined to let him play from that position. The

reason that I say that is that he's already had three attempt at the two

cushion escape, from where that is now it would be very difficult. What

about the free ball, would it leave the cue ball tied to the brown? I

think it is tough enough for me... I would make him play it from there.

The free ball has been called, of course. Joe has the option committee

-- Joe has the option, he can make Barry play from the original

position, or the position that it is in.

Could be back in the same place here. Foul, a mess. -- mess. No

prize for what he's going to do here... He will be playing it from

there, yes. APPLAUSE First thing he's got to avoid is the

green. Well he's done that. Oh, this looks

a good line. I think I'd be inclined to play the

one along the top cushion to the right corner. Then just play a

little cannon on the cushion, double kiss and it bring you out for the

black. Played it well. Yeah, good call,

John. Played the double kiss. A clever little shot he played there.

Watch the double kiss. Just to bring the cue ball back out for the black.

Nicely played. This black will put Joe four points

in front. If he were to get three remaining reds with blacks that

would take him to the snookers required stage. He's opted to play

for this one along the top cushion. We've seen so many times how

difficult they are. If they're tight to the cushion you feel as though

they cling. When they're like this, you've got to be so accurate.

APPLAUSE That's a fantastic shot at that

pace. He's going to need another good

positional shot from his next colour. Yes and also because he

can't get on the black off this red, he's going to have to go for the

blue. He's decided he can stay on the black Hmmm. Well, he knows what

the score is. Left himself the difficult black. So

every credit. Could be still a little bit of time

left in this frame, the way the colours are situated.

Didn't go into the middle of the pocket. Nearly a case of taking it

for grabted. Just -- granted. Just roll the black in and play it safe,

nearly missed the black! One snooker required.

That's not a bad idea. Your opponent needs a snooker. You get in first.

Joe will be wary here, with the pink and brown where they r, and the

green, not being too far from the side cushion.

He's got to be careful here. He wants to try and put the cue ball

behind the black. If he sends the yellow up and down the table, he's

got to avoid the double kiss at all costs.

If he misses the green, it will be a snooker. Good shot.

Just happy to hit that. OK he thought about getting behind the

green, but it was always going to be difficult.

Two snookers required if he gets the yellow. Good, solid pot.

Quick glance at Barry there. I think he will now think this frame is

gone, particularly if this goes in. Yes.

Good signs that Joe Perry is settling down.

It all came from that snooker and that lovely shot earlier that he

played, the double kiss to keep the break going. He's certainly potted

some fantastic - and there's another one! Started off a bit slow, but

it's starting to hot up now. Excellent. Barry Hawkins sits in his

chair. Joe Perry takes the lead. STUDIO: He's playing with such

freedom from yellow to pink there, clearing up the colours. That was a

nice end to a cagey, nervy frame. Yes, we've discussed Marco Fu and

how well he's been playing. We've put that down to his work with Wayne

Griffiths and the fact he won an event in Scotland. We talked about

the fact that Barry Hawkins has been working with Terry Griffiths. We

don't know the solution for Joe Perry. He looks to be doing very

well. Weirdly enough, he had poor form. He was shtum pd in the

championship league. He got to the final of the world open earlier this

summer, but really nothing and no expectations coming here at all.

Maybe that's the secret, no expectation. Then nothing can go

wrong because you won't be disappointed. Yeah, it's like first

game of golf of the season. No expectations of playing well, and

you normally play well. No expectation here, inspired by the

arena, the competition and nothing to lose. At age 42, he's looked

around and seen Barry reach the World Championships, another friend

Stuart Bingham win the title. He's their contemporary. He's been around

a long time. You look at your friends achieving things, they're

climbing the top of the mountain, does it spur you on? Does it give

you a chup on the shoulder, why aren't I dog that sort of thing? It

can do. From Joe Perry's perspective, he's always known he's

been a top 16 player for long enough and probably has belief. Perhaps

it's nice every now and again to get a couple of matches under your belt

and it inspires you. As inspiration goes, getting to the semifinals of

the Masters as good as it gets. One more and into uncharted territory.

The world number nine leads as we head into the last before the

interval. COMMENTATOR: Not a bad break-off

shot. This is not left a red that is too easy. But they seem to knock

them in for fun these days. Hit that on the wrong side. May have

left this red, if it runs on a little bit. And he has. About the

only red he could leave was the one he was playing. It's gone all round

the table and finished plum for this right corner.

Just looking at the red above the black, thinking a few shots ahead

here. He'll be very wary here that if the

black, if he plays for the black and it doesn't go back on its own spot,

it would be on the pink spot possibly and be tied up. He will be

careful here. He's gone up for the blue. He's

perfect on the blue to play for the red just above the black.

Got into that too much. Been a bit fortunate.

When I say fortunate, when potting this, he needs to leave a nice angle

on the black. That will nudge the red away from the black spot.

Only needed the slightest touch on the red. He'll have to go up for

possibly the blue here. Not quite sure, he came around to

have a look at the red below the pink a couple of times. Not sure

whether he'll go into the pack here. If he could play the blue and just

miss the pink on the right-hand side, cannon into it, not at great

pace, he'd have the red below the pink to the left middle. In the end

he's decided to play for the red below the pink into the right

corner. To me, it was a chance to open a few. It's not all the pocket

available for this red. He's come up a bit short for that.

He's still potting them. But it's getting more difficult now. Doesn't

have a nice angle on the yellow. He may take the brown. Not quite sure

what his next red is going to be. Unless he tries to disturb a few.

It's going to be very difficult from this position.

I think if he had the choice again, I think your choice would have been

the right shot, to pot the blue and maybe just go into the right-hand

side of the pack, try and miss the pink.

He's out of position now. He needs a good shot from here.

Not certain what red he's going to play on here. Oh, he's missed the

yellow. What did he play for? Is the red two down from the pink

available? Can Joe to get to it? -- can Joe get to it? The answer's no.

That's such a poor shot really. It really is. I mean, you're that close

to the reds. Not to get near the cushion is unforgiveable.

So strong at that particular shot. Any time you leave your opponent,

and Joe Perry will be kicking himself in that chair, any time you

leave your opponent with his hand on the table and the possibility of a

pot you expect him to get it. Maybe on the red into the yellow

pocket. There may be a red at the bottom of the pack that pots. How

more reds didn't come out of that with that pace. Yeah, seemed to be a

heavy contact. He's taking this one on. He's got

it. APPLAUSE

that could be the frame winner. A lovely little shot. Knew where the

cue ball was going. The contact on the pink was perfect.

If Joe's going to win this match, he's got to pot like he did in the

last frame. But his safety has to improve as well. You can't be giving

Barry Hawkins chances like that. Just looked at the safety statistic

there. Some of the stats don't tell the true tale. The point is about

that safety shot that Joe Perry had, I mean it wasn't as if he was tight

against the cushion. He was close to them. Not to find the cushion, at

the time, it was unforgiveable. It just shows you. It looks as if it's

going to cost him the frame, just by not concentrating hard enough. There

he was. Not far from the reds. Hit them so thick he only just made the

line. You might say well, how could you

accuse someone of lacking concentration at a big moment like

this? Because you just drop your guard for a second.

Switch your light off there, please. Yeah, this pink, would give him 62

with 67 left on. Would require one more red.

This red will put him 63 in front with 59 remaining.

Joe's sitting there pondering. Looks for all the world now we're going to

be level. The interval is after this frame.

Looking back over the four frames, you would probably say that 2-2 is

probably fair. Both players would probably be happy. Yeah, I suppose

on the chances, looking at the pot success, though, Barry Hawkins at

92%, Joe Perry 83%. That's quite low. I suppose of the two, Joe Perry

should be the happier to be all square. Knowing snooker players as I

do, they're never happy. What about commentators? We're

having a delightful time, no pressure of on us.

Speak for yourself. Well, the red's not gone in. It

won't matter. The two players will go to the mid-session interval two

apiece, fair or not. That's the score.

STUDIO: Top break of 77 so far. Let's get the thoughts of our

champions in the studio. Steve, what do you make of it so far? Hard

fought was always going to be the way tonight. It doesn't have to be

pretty. It's a place in the final for both these lads. They know each

other pretty well. In a way, they could have cancelled each other out.

They're both in a prime position really. Can't argue with the score

line. For you, 83% pot success for Joe, better from Barry's perspective

at 93. Barry is scoring the heavier, making the bigger breaks. He's

probably got the bigger pedigree of the two players on this sort of

occasion, in this big tournament. Yeah, he looks the more comfortable

and more likely to score in one visit. Barry Hawkins abouts an

runner up last year, runner up to Ronnie O'Sullivan in the World

Championship as well. Increasingly, he's becoming more comfortable, more

familiar with these situations. He is, but Joe Perry is a very clever

player. His ring craft is fantastic. If at some stage he can get a big

win under his belt, who's to say he won't go from strength to strength.

Getting that first massive win is tough for every player in the game.

I think it was always going to be tough for these two to match what

was prodownstairsed is that. -- was produced sthaf. Ronnie O'Sullivan

versus Marco Fu was a match with practically everything.

Ronnie O'Sullivan has been struggling but winning all week. How

would he get on against the in-form Marco Fu. He missed a blue in the

first frame. Marco drew first blood with an 89. Into the second, and

Robbie was having problems with his cue tip. The man from Hong Kong

should have been 2-0 ahead. But he missed the final red and he was

punished. What would happen in the third?

Ronnie played a poor safety. The reason took some time to emerge,

he'd split his cue tip. Marco got in amongst the balls and made a century

clearance with no blacks apart from the very last ball. The Rocket flew

out of the arena and the interval was called early.

You would never have guessed that he had his tip changed. A quick fire 95

and they were level again. A smelly blue for Fu but we made his

sixth century at the Masters, a 141, the highest break of the tournament

so far to go ahead again. Wonderful snooker this, O'Sullivan hit back

with another sublime century. He looked on course for another ton,

then he missed a tricky black and Marco dished up for the 4-3 lead.

Poised to pinch another frame, mechanical malfunction cost Marco

dear, Ronnie got back into the match, level.

All getting tense now. Marco tried to tuck up behind the brown, the

while rolled off, a long red and this excellent green and Ronnie

nailed an 82 clearance to move ahead.

Another marvellous pot from the Rocket and 69 points later, he had

closed out yet another Masters semi to qualify for his 12th final. What

a game that was. It split down the side as well. I

just thought, well, I have to put one on. It wasn't like should I,

shan't I? It had to be done. In that frame of mind, I thought well, you

know, I can't win the match with this tip. Let's see what happens. It

was like a, you know, I had to do it. I got lucky that one was OK and

I could play with it pretty much straight away. I was happy, not for

him to break his tip, but I was happy for the interval early because

I was a little bit hungry. I was pleased to go back to the dressing

room and have a bit of food. I felt for Ronnie at the time because I've

had a tip falling off during the World Championships. Ive know what

it's like to go through that in the middle of a very important match.

Marco's playing well. I knew he was playing well. He's been playing well

for a while now, scoring well. With the new tip and all that, it was

like, a lot to take in, you know. To come through in a match like that, I

can't believe it to be honest. I'm in shock. It was a good game right

from the start. We both played very well today. Yeah, it was just one of

those matches that you feel very happy to be involved in. Yeah, it's

just at the end, Ronnie was too good. He just took, just half

chances. He took the half chances and won the last two frames. Yeah,

it was very difficult to play against, but that's the way it is,

when he's playing that way, you can't really do anything about it.

So, but I'm happy with the way I played. Yeah, let's move on.

Apparently it's my 12th final. I've had six victories. Obviously had

five losses. I'm just happy to be there again and have another

opportunity to try and lift the Paul Hunter trophy, which means so much

to me. Yes, the Paul Hunter trophy. To clear up tip-gate. This is what

the players contract with world snooker says:

Martin Clark, the tournament director used his discretion to move

the interval rather than having two 15 minute breaks with only one frame

apart and the attendant problems of moving 2,000 people in and out of

the arena twice at that point. We were live on television as well.

That is why with the tip damaged for Ronnie, he was allowed to take that

one off and put another one on. What was extraordinary was the reaction

that he got with it there after. Immediately a 95. An incredible run

of scoring there after. What was your impression of that performance

from him and Marco too? I think he was intimating the match before that

the tip was very hard and that he wasn't happy with it. He's better

off with something that was a bit softer, even if it was arguably a

bit spongier. He could feel the shots and grip the ball better. It

was a good move to make that decision. 95, 122, 82 and three

other plus 50s, the real Ronnies turned up there after. Very much so.

He looked a different player. Prior to the change of the tip, he

couldn't, his normal positional play was miles out. Normally, there was a

frame where the balls, it was like a practice position. He couldn't get

correctly in position. It was not like him at all. As soon as the tip

was changed, it was night and day. All of a sudden, he was never out of

position. Obviously that gave him a huge boost of confidence. He was

more comfortable playing the shots he wanted to play. Marco played a

wonderful part in this match as well. His fifth and sexth centuries

-- sixth centuries. And that 141. He said, this week proved I am a very

good player, but not quite a great one yet. So self efacing, so

generous. He says well played Ronnie O'Sullivan. It's the mark of the

man. He is a great player. Of course, he is! All players judge

each other by the performances. Such a high standard. You're the biggest

critic. His coach Wayne Griffiths makes sure that he's not thinking

negligentively, that he actually believes in himself, that's good

things to say. Ronnie is through to his 12th final and you'll be able to

see that final with us, both sessions, live on BBC Two:

That really sorts out your Sunday, doesn't it? Joe Perry's dad, Peter,

knows a thing or two about driving... He's a London cab driver

and has been for many years. I wonder how he would rate the driving

skills of Steve Davis, especially with his son in the passenger seat?

Hi Joseph, how are you? I'm not bad. Does anyone call you Jozef, your

mum? My brother, sometimes. Or, mate, if I'm not performing... --

Joseph. You've only ever been to one concert? I've never been to one...

I'm not really into music. How old are you? 42. You've just been to

one? Yes, and I did not really enjoy it. It was Robbie Williams at the MK

Bowl... The best thing about it was ABC was the support act and I quite

enjoy them... Do you get fed up with the hotels? I've just had a crap

breakfast... I walk in with trepidation. I hate having a shower

in the bath. If I go into a room and there is a shower in the bath... I

hate it. I just hated. It does not seem right. And what about when the

shower curtain sucks on to you? When they aren't weighted properly. The

shower comes on and suddenly the curtain decides to cuddle you! Their

Orrey few players, I don't want name them... You can. Mark Williams is

terrible, you go into his room and you think... It is a tip? He makes

it as messy as he can. I'm not like that. What would you say your pet

hate is? I had one this morning... Michael walked into my bathroom and

borrowed my role on in front of me. That did not go down well! That was

not nice -- roll-on. Your hotel is all of your clothes hanging up

perfectly? OCD? No. But you are getting that way? Mark Davis, he is

OCD... All of his shoes will be in a perfect order. All of the toes are

at the same bit... Every time. So when you go in, kick them! To wind

him up... On the circuit, are you considered by your close mates the

glass half empty, half full? Do you moan? Surely for comedy value. I do

it to entertain them. People like Mark Davis are very boring, but if

you can get it out of him he's good company. I play on it, really.

That's my little character. I just have a laugh amongst them. There's

always plenty to moan about... More and more, we are on our way to the

venue and there are no practice slots available. I've moaned about

that as soon as I heard! Do you pull rank? That's not me. Sometimes I'll

loiter to get a couple, but I do not pull rank. I remember when you use

to check out of the airport car parks, back in the day... There was

a convoy of six... Yes, I think that five was our record! Getting out of

the car park?... One after the other. Gerard was called up to

Gatwick police station once. The worst that could happen is that you

end up having to pay your car park bill, you can either get away with

it, or you don't! STUDIO: I'm down in the Cue Zone

with two families. Barry Hawkins's wife and son, and Joe Perry's

father, Peter, a real taxi driver. First question for Peter, what did

Joe say about Steve Davis's ability as a taxi driver? He said to me, he

told Steve, "Do you what me to get my dad to give you a few lessons?

You need them, mate. You aren't very good!" What about the match? It is

hard playing but much harder watching? Definitely, especially

when they are really good friends, it is worse. And what about the

nurse? Bad! The little man is holding me together. Have you had

any words of wisdom for your daddy, what would you say? He's the best!

That is very sweet, would you want to be out there playing one day?

Yes! Peter, what about Joe? How do you think he is playing so far? To

be honest... He's not watching? He hasn't played nothing like he's

played all week yet. Because it's the semifinal and everything, I

think it is that. It must be hard, what has Barry been saying before

the match? Not a lot. Just going out and doing the same as he's done

every match, sticking to the same routine. So... That is what he's

done I think! And what about the players, have you been keeping them

apart? This is the first time we've seen each other today. We are in the

same room and said hello. Best of luck, I hope the nerve sold out. We

are looking forward to the second half.

It will be a cracker. STUDIO: It is a nervous time and they had to wait

as their loved ones go out and do the business! We have had four

frames, seven more possibly to play. If you are just joining us, well,!

This is a reminder of how things have gone so far -- welcome.

Perry had a break of 30 as he got the first of his career semifinals

at the most underway in frame one. He hears... Missing that one.

Hawkins countered with 50, missing the red. The world number nine could

nick the first frame. Hawkins hit back in frame two, with a

contribution of 77, levelling it at 1-1. In frame three, Joe was on his

way to a break of 48, when he had this red along the cushion. It was

26 minutes until he made sure he had the 2-1 advantage. In frame for,

Barry knocked in a 58 contribution. 85 points, two frames apiece, and

just about right, you would have to say! Both of these fellas are

approaching veteran C, certainly Joe Perry is, at 42 years old! He said

before that he has hopes of winning a big one. Mark King is in

contention, Mark Davis is older than me... It will not be the standard to

knock me off my perch, the desire to keep practising and travelling and

putting in the effort. Its maximum effort for the two of them as they

strive to get into the final tomorrow...

COMMENTATOR: Both players are back. Into the usual ritual of selling

their glasses with water... And wiping their hands. Thank you,

ladies and gentlemen. Frame five. Joe Perry to break. No more

intervals, this will be played to a finish.

Not bad with the cue ball, but... The red is sticking out. Available

to the right corner. It could be a path, when potting it, around to the

black... A little shake of his head, he does

not think that he can find the path. Be careful in playing the safety. Do

not leave Joe with a chance on the red. On the left-hand corner

committee needs a cover with the yellow... -- he needs a cover with

the yellow. Lucky not to leave one to the

left-hand corner. A little more at stake on this spot now... If he

misses, it could leave one. Not leaving one over the left corner,

but he has left one near the blue. That's below what you require. I

always think about 66% is about average. Good for Barry Hawkins,

here's an 80%. -- he is on 80%. Not a bad chance, this black will be

available into both corners shortly. Did not want that kiss on the blue,

as it turns out. No harm done. A lovely angle if he wishes to go in

here. The red nearest the corner pocket... Nicely played! Did not

bring many reds N. One went up towards the red and baulk... He

might go up towards the blue. Just having a chat with Joe's

father, Peter Perry, in the audience. As is Barry's wife, Tara,

and their son Harrison. Everyone is nervous, you can imagine that it is

difficult watching your own family... He was at in the league

games, watching your team members play. That was nerve wracking. I saw

you on the television doing an interview...

Finishing up in such a position on the blue that he thought that this

was the only guarantee... He does not want to be too straight on it,

if he is, he can get onto the black. If straight enough, he can take a

good shot on this two pot it and get into position. Would not try to do

too much with the cue ball, which is why he is lower won the black. The

red workers difficult enough -- -- low on the black, the red was

difficult enough. Perhaps one could pass the brown

into the yellow pocket? He was not playing that, trying to get onto

those two reds. He can still have a go at the reds, and use the other

one to control the cue ball. It's OK.

It is imperative that he gets a good angle on the blue or one of the

colours here... Looks pretty good. You feel as if he

hits the pink full in the face it will bring all of these reds

interplay. -- into play. The red is just into the top cushion. It is not

an easy pot to carry this one... It is hard to believe. Going into the

pink with a lot of pace but not a lot of movement from the reds. It's

not easy into this bottom corner pocket, he will play it with some

pace towards the blue. Making the pot a little harder. It has gone in

nicely! A good pot but the cue ball is not

great. Not a good position for the green in the top left-hand corner

pockets. Just looking at a safety shot here? Sometimes, in situations

like this, you try and force yourself sometimes do have a go

because you want to keep that break going. Safety may be more prudent

here... Yes, everybody gets this modern-day culture now. When you

have a chance. Winning the frame off it but playing the yellow... It is

coming off it a bit thin. Get the cue ball off the baulk ocean. --

cushion. Barry Hawkins, 45. Trying to cover the red on the left of the

table, he seems to be more concerned about getting the yellow out of

commission. With a 45 point lead, I cannot blame him for that. But he

has left the possibility of a pot. It is a tough one... So close.

Those two reds on the left-hand side of the table, covered by the green.

He does not want to leave Barry with his hand on the table and a chance

of a long pot. Once again, catching the baulk

colour. You have to avoid those colours.

It is amazing, the psychology and situation. There's no problem with

taking on the red into this bottom corner... The fact that he has the

lead, he is thinking twice about taking it on. You might be forced to

have a go at it, though... Yes, you've got that absolutely

right! I'm amazed, the types of long ball is that he has been knocking

in, he has a chance to win the frame, for me. The scoreboard made

the choice of shot, no doubt. An attempt at the pot in the left

middle, but not really close. This goes in... It could definitely win

the frame. Nope. A couple of half chances, one that he refused,

another that he missed. It was difficult for Joe, hampered

by that brown. The way that he is looking at this, the red probably

passes the green... Just? Now, you would be very surprised with Barry

Hawkins, if he was not to win the frame on this visit. For the first

time in the match... Just the red to get the snookers

required... Joe Perry, seeing his frame slip away. I hate the word

"Study", but Barry looks the steadier of the two so far this

weekend... -- steady. Yes, very solid. Gaining a bit of momentum.

Starting off a little slow, but certainly got up to speak now. --

got up to speed. You mentioned in the last frame, how he strikes the

ball, there is a lovely and crisp sound when he strikes it. And get

through it really nicely. As I said earlier, in the last

couple of seasons, he has certainly improved his game, not so much his

game, but sometimes you have to believe in your own ability. And

believe that you are one of the top players. I think that he now has

that belief. And he is a match for anyone when he is playing well. He

has won two ranking titles, the Australian open 2012 and the players

championship 2014, and the World Championships, he lost all Ronnie

O'Sullivan but was a finalist here last year -- he lost to Ronnie

O'Sullivan. A nice cannon. But the brown might

snooker him. It does not matter. So, the first frame after the

interval... Barry Hawkins leading, 3-2. STUDIO: He begins to bash in

the bigger contributions now. Do you feel that Barry Hawkins is getting a

grip here? It seems he is slowly taking the stranglehold and looks

more comfortable scoring wise. Joe Perry's long game is not what it

was. I commentated in his match against Ding, his long game was

superb. He's looking the class act of the two, Barry Hawkins. Joe's

dad, Peter, made the point that Joe hasn't really hit the heights that

he reached against Ding, and Stuart Bingham, 6-1. He's had quite a few

big considerable breaks in as well? Yes, and if the nerves are going to

jangle it will be the semifinal. You are desperate to get into the final.

What an event, the Masters against Ronnie O'Sullivan. If any problems

are too arise for Joe Perry, it could be now. And possibly that

Barry Hawkins has been in the final of major events will put him in good

stead. But a long way to go. We talked about the fact that they are

good friends and Perry has the better strike rate in the matches

between the two. But we were talking earlier run with Steven, they've

only ever met in 1/4-final. Everything else has been last 16s or

32s, they've never had the chance to face each other? It is new

territorial for them both. Maybe it is a bit premature but I feel that

perhaps Joe's race has been run? He does not seem to have that error of

confidence, that he believes he can get into the final tomorrow. Barry

looks like the player who thinks that he should be there -- that air

of confidence. He does not have that air of freedom in the last couple of

matches? So far, but in those matches, maybe he was an underdog

and suddenly there is a chance? I do not think that Joe has ever looked

aggressive when he has walked around the table, like he will kill

someone. He does not play that way. He can be underestimated but I think

that it is a tough match for both of them. It is a great opportunity for

the final but I think Barry Hawkins is best placed. What I worry about

with Joe, normally he is one of the best safety players in the game. But

his safety play has let him down tonight, which is a surprise. Last

night against Ding, he had Ding in trouble a lot of the time. 71% for

Joe so far, and 69% for Barry Hawkins. But Barry Hawkins is

scoring more heavily out of the two. Barry Hawkins has the 3-2 lead as we

go back out... COMMENTATOR: Close to the baulk

cushion. Possibilities here for Joe. Long pot

success for Joe, at 46%, 67% for Barry Hawkins.

Just lost it for the moment. Joe Perry... The boys were saying in the

studio that he has been knocking those particular long pots in in

those two matches, against Stuart Bingham.

I suppose from Joe Perry's point of view, the fact that he came with the

laissez-faire type of attitude and just wasn't expecting too much. The

first couple of matches he played so well. Now there's a chance of being

in the final, maybe the nerves are beginning to creep in a little bit.

Yeah that could well be. But I still feel, there'll come a time where

he'll think if he drops a couple behind that he might just break off

the shackles. I just feel tonight that he looks a little bit tight.

Some of these long pots he's played, I've sensed a little bit of

movement. That's usually a sign of tension. In these matches you never

know what can happen. Because sometimes you feel as though right,

well, he's playing better than me. I'm not playing too well. That can

just take a bit of pressure off you. He's got the game, Joe. It's just

producing it consistently. That's been the difference with these two

players over the last two or three seasons. Barry's now getting that

consistency at the highest level. He didn't get a consistent shot

there. A terrible kick on the red. Just look where the cue ball has

finished up. Stopped the cue ball in its tracks. It should have been the

other side of the pink. He would have been on the pink nicely. Now,

well, unless he takes this green on, which is a very difficult, the fact

that you're bridging over balls. It may be end of break. So frustrating

for snooker players get kicks and stop you, when you look like you're

going to make a sizeable break. Premature end to that visit. Now

Joe, you've got to play a good safety. You've got to start getting

that cue ball near the baulk cushion.

Good length. He has left a pot on for Barry.

Always when you play that type of shot, you err on the side of hitting

it too thin. But catching the brown. Now let's see if Joe can stay down

and push the cue through straight on this one.

Right in the heart of the pocket. That's 32 minutes he's waited to get

that pot in. This time no movement. Pushed the

cue through straight. A little bit straighter on the blue

would have been better. I think he's got the angle to avoid the kiss on

the red on the left-hand side of the table and play for the one just

above to the right of the black. Got to make the most of these

opportunities. For his own self-confidence, if nothing else.

The red on the pink spot will pot as well.

It's funny how certain players have different ways of playing. It he's

played a little stun there. I'd have run off the side cushion. You feel

as if you have more control. Not certain where the pink will go

when it's potted. A couple of reds around that pink

area that would be available, well, they're blocked. So the pink is on

the highest available, which is the brown.

For this opportunity, he's looking better and better. He doesn't have

to go into the pack here. Decided to go in. Didn't think you

could hold. It's gone slightly awry. He didn't catch the first red

properly and that's why he's lost the cue ball. This red pots but

very, very difficult. Played it well. It's a good pot,

though. A little bit to do now. Although there is a red that will go

to the right middle. So not a lot of work to do with the cue ball. I'm

surprised he played it as pacy as that. Yeah. You would have felt that

the last red he played would have, he would have been a bit more

confident. He could have dropped that in dead weight and still been

on the red. Would have loved to have taken the

pink there. But it's a bit more tricky to pot the why yellow, back

up for the red. He'd love to get the pink back on its spot. Again, it's

not ideal. If he can get the pink off one of

these reds, it will come back up this end of the table and go on the

black spot. Not the best positional shot he's

ever played. Makes the pot difficult. And the

positional side of the shot. You would think he would play the

pink. But being close to the cushion made

it missable. So a let off for Joe Perry that time.

It's going to be tough to finish the frame at this visit. He's going to

need the three remaining reds, you would have thought.

Stop shouting out now, please, thank you.

Such a good potter normally. But once again, just seems to be a bit

of movement, a bit of anxiety when he's pushing the cue through.

He wants to come off that baulk cushion. He wants plenty of

left-hand side, trying to avoid the yellow, try and miss the brown on

that baulk cushion. Back up to the red, left on the blue. Just playing

the deep screw, I know he'd have to avoid the yellow and maybe the

possibility of moving off into the left middle. If he plays it with

topspin he could do it and not get on the red.

He's just about on it, in a fashion. 14 points behind.

That red closest to the right-hand side cushion will be awkward for a

left-hander, which Barry is. Can he pot this and distort the red?

Oh, great effort. Excellent effort. He couldn't have played that any

better. Of course, we all know, Ken, with the miss rule as it is... Well,

this is, if you can't see the left-hand side of the table, this is

almost so difficult, well it's almost impossible to hit. He may try

and play this hard into the jaws of the green pocket. Try to use the

knuckle and bring the cue ball down towards this red. But this is a one

in 20 shot to hit the red from here. We could be here all night playing

this type of shot. It will be called a miss until we get to the snookers

required stage. If you're going to play this one

into the jaws, as played there, I don't think you can hit it that

hard. Obviously you've got to hit it with enough pace to come down here

and make contact with the red. I wouldn't be hitting it that hard. I

think if he gets even close to it, it's going to be a very, very

difficult decision for the referee. If it's a decent enough attempt and

the referee feels it's an almost impossible nooker to hit, he may not

keep calling the miss here. This is one of those anomalies with the miss

rule. Looks like he thinks he might be

able to swerve. Even if he got to the right-hand side cushion, he's

got the blue to miss. The yellow to miss, the green. Good luck.

Good luck with this one. Yes! What a shot!

Excellent shot. That's a ten out of ten right there.

Absolutely. I tell you what... CHEERING

You wouldn't get this much applause for 147.

OK, that will do, thank you. Such a spoil sport!

Caught the green, well I don't think Joe will be tempted. This was a

superb hit. Just had to miss the blue and just flick the red,

sensational. I'm so pleased he hit it. Because I hate that miss rule

when it gets to the end of a frame like that. You could lose it with

just one snooker. It doesn't seem right.

I think the referee was just as happy that Joe Perry hit the red as

Joe Perry was. He didn't have to make that decision. He's a strong

referee. Any way, he'd have no problem if he had to call a decision

like that. Hawkins haub seven points behind,

you feel whoever gets this red should win the frame.

Dangerous sending towards the pocket. I think it's run far enough

for the blue to get the cover. It has. Easy to hit. But can he get it

safe? It's just run far enough so it's not

cuttable into the middle. You still have to think that Joe has

just got the edge in this tactical battle, very important tactical

battle. Oh, this is a good line. This is a good line!

I don't think he'll be taking the pot on here. Straightforward, must

get the cue ball as tight as possible to this blue, just knock

the red down towards the baulk line. It's not the best. OK it's a

snooker, but could have been a bit better.

It's a simple escape off one cushion. You never know where the

red's going to go here. It looked for all the money that he

was going to leave that red on with the double kiss that the red got off

the groan has knock today safe. -- green.

He can just roll off the red and put the cue ball behind the green.

It was a delicate little shot, the one you suggested. It certainly

would have been my choice. Joe had the upper hand in this

safety exchange. He might have lost it now.

Yes, I think Barry may just have the snooker there. He has.

You've got to get right in behind this red and hit it full in the

face. Caught it half ball. It's Barry Hawkins now who has the slight

edge. Whoever pots this red you'd think would be certain to take the

frame. Nice opportunity maybe the red up behind the brown, cue ball

behind the black. Obviously it's not straightforward

otherwise Barry wouldn't be thinking about it.

Must get the red safe. He's looking to not only get the red safe, get

that snooker. That could tilt the frame in his favour.

Not quite. So this frame still very much in the balance.

Good safety. No snooker. But safe enough.

I think he can just get to the edge of it. But even then he may decide

to play baulk cushion first here. As long as you get in behind them,

they're all right. He's going to leave it, unless it

goes up close to it. Again, he was trusting a little bit of luck there.

So Barry's good snooker has forced the opportunity here.

Nicely on the black. Yellow will pass the green into that top right

hand corner pocket. One point lead. Yellow, green, brown

and blue required. Brown and blue to go 15 points in

front with only 13 remaining. So no way back now for Joe Perry. He

had a chance. Didn't make the most of it.

He's opened a two-frame advantage now.

STUDIO: First time that he's had the two-frame advantage. There was a

funny moment in that frame. I don't think I've seen an ovation quite

like the one Joe Perry received for escaping that snooker. It was

fantastic. After a speculative try into the jaws, which can sometimes

work. He picked out a route and I think it would have been hard for

the referee not to have called a miss there, even if he had miss

today by a fraction. He had a shot later on that, we haven't got it on

film, if you remember one red left and Joe chose to roll up behind the

blue. We were in the studio thinking that possibly he could have played a

bit more positively and gone for the pot because it went into the green

pocket. Perhaps if he's going to get back into this game, somewhere

down-the-line, he's got to put his foot to the floor a bit more. You

said earlier on, you felt that Joe's race might be run, even the frame

before that. Yeah, John said in commentary, he doesn't look

comfortable tonight. He doesn't look like he believes. He's not playing

the way like he believes. He's been potting so well all week, why not

take on the red? It's a negative shot. I know there's every chance

that your opponent could hit the red and leave you on with a gimme red.

Sometimes you have to create your own opportunities and moment in

matches. If he had got that red, cleared up, that would have give him

such a boost of confidence. Now he's under it. Two frames behind. But I

tell you one thing that strikes me from that exchange we saw, the

warmth between the two players. There was great cam radery that you

could see. You -- camaraderie. Fantastic turnout as well. I don't

know what matches could have been involved for this semifinal, the

crowd buy the tickets, they don't know which match they'll watch, they

celebrate snooker here at the Masters. These guys have beaten

Murphy, Selby, Bingham and Ding. Probably not the semifinal line-up

that many people would have picked. That's the standard of snooker, it's

a very level playing field now. A lot of players are playing a good,

high standard of snooker. A lot of people are playing the same

standard. Come the start of the tournament, you couldn't pick who it

would be. You could pick your favourites, O'Sullivan, Selby.

Sometimes it's second favourites, you know, you'd bet them to whip the

matches. Joe Perry was 80-1 when this

started. They have defied the odds to get this far.

COMMENTATOR: That is a fair point from Stephen. I know when that red

was by the blue and it was a certain snooker, but yeah, sometimes you've

got to just go for your shots. Push the boat out a little bit more.

That's the way Stephen used to play. Yeah, I suppose it depends on how

you feel as well. Irdon't think he played that snooker

very well, though. It was one of those where you had to be touching

the blue. And stop the one cushion escape.

Ooh! Well. What has he left? Has he left an easy starter for Joe? Can he

get this rage to the right middle? -- can he get this red? I think that

he can... Cutting it a fraction too flick. -- too flick. It

is not looking good at the moment for Joe Perry. A trace of right-hand

side because he could not get to the middle of the cue ball but a player

of his experience should have been able to allow for that.

If ever Joe needed a time to make it... A really good break? That is

now. It's got to the stage in the match where he needs to get going. A

nice frame and a break would do that for him. But...

It is OK, he has the red to the left middle. He has two raise his game if

years to have any chance of reaching the final tomorrow... -- if he is.

Overscrewing it a little, he might to play a cannon. He missed the

cannon but here's on the red, into the green pocket.

The area is a red on the right-hand side which is a available. It is not

easy to play the cannon, the pink is locking. Play for the loose red.

Playing it nicely... Nudging another red into the open through that pot.

The end red on the right-hand side catches the join between the two. He

has nudged one on. I would have been inclined to play with more pace but

I do not blame him for the position that he is in at the moment and

those shots that he has missed. That shake of his head shows that he is a

little too straight on it. I'm not quite sure, he might be able

to screw it and get back for the black. He is looking at the

possibility. If he cannot get on the black, run through and leave

yourself a half ball, albeit on the wrong side... Do not miss the pot.

You cannot afford to miss it. Joe Perry, 42. CLAPPING

The last time that Joe Perry missed it, Barry Hawkins did not take the

full advantage of it. Joe will be hoping that that is the case here.

He is not perfect but he has a slight angle, as you can see.

Just about got the right angle on the blue, for this red which is just

separating from that cluster of four. Now is the time to be potting

itch to open up those four reds -- potting it. He will try to hit the

right-hand one of the four... That was not the intended contact, he

wanted to hit it and push the cue ball to the right-hand side of the

four reds. Into the right centre, it was a cute angle.

He has played it very well. Very confident.

He can play those two reds together in the middle of the table, one goes

to the left-hand middle. If he plays a run through he is more likely to

kiss from the top cushion, he plays the pink... I was going to suggest

that angle on the black committee could possibly play along the top

cushion but I think at the moment he is more concerned with getting back

into the frame. -- that angle on the black, he could possibly play along

the top cushion. Points wise... Joe Perry will be feeling that maybe the

red on the right-hand side cushion is his only hope of getting back

into this frame. He has some work to do before he gets into that

position. Barry Hawkins. But how he has been playing this couple, he is

having a luck. If he pots it, he could bring that red off the

right-hand side cushion. It looks perfect to me... It looks good, can

drop in the pink. Get it off the cushion. If he is not on the red

close to the cushion, he can always be on the red below the pink. Does

he have the angle? It might not be the natural angle. It looks like it

but the fact he is taking so long to play it makes me think, perhaps not.

If it was a natural channel, he would have got it. They have the

problem of these two awkward reds. Only ten points behind now. Now, the

hard work begins... Just dropping this red in, leave the

cue ball with that angle on the black. You can get the cue ball

somewhere there, or just below it. That would be perfect. Ooh Acta

-- ooh! I did not expect for him to miss that red. If he had a better

angle he would not have had to play it with as much pace. So, with Joe

Perry, there is a two point advantage but he has a problem with

the red near the right-hand side cushion. Can he leaves a nice angle

on the black? Well, he has the angle, can hear just that cannon? He

has the perfect angle -- can he adjust the cannon? Ooh, well he will

be disappointed in that. Joe Perry, eight. Ten points is the

lead. The way that the colours are... It is like the last frame.

Whoever popped the red wins the frame for me.

That bump... But it runs safe. The fact that Joe is close to this red,

he should play a good safety shot from snooker here. Missing an

opportunity there. If that is a full ball snooker, then

it is certainly an advantage to Barry Hawkins. You may say that this

is not difficult to hit, just roll it did wait. -- dead weight. It did

not look a difficult one to hit, but the thing is, if you role is to it,

dead weight, he will move that cue ball closer to the red. Barry will

still have control with this very important tactical battle,

especially for Joe Perry. If he loses the frame, going 5-2 behind,

it would be too much of a mountain to climb for him. Missing it again.

Foul, miss. Barry Hawkins four. Just seems to be sliding off this

baulk cushion. He has a couple of attempts, readjusting here. Does not

want to go by the red, of course. Anywhere alongside and he will be

OK... Split that up. Could be in a bit of trouble again. Keep all of

them behind the black, and the red tip on the ball ocean. -- on the

baulk cushion. Did not get that snooker this time. You can play this

cushion on the left-hand side. Trying to play the same shot that

Barry played a couple ago. It looks OK.

Barry is looking to come off this top cushion. This must be a lot more

difficult to hit than it first appears... He is swerving around the

green to try and find the baulk cushion where he can nestle on the

red. Not enough now... It is funny. It looked like a simple escape but

the green is blocking the path where he would like to hit the baulk

cushion. Barry said that he would play a

different shot anyway. Playing it with more pace. He will be happy

with that outcome. There is a gap. There is always a gap! But, the

problem is... I don't think he can avoid the kiss on the pink when he

plays it. It could be worth going for the pot. That is why he is

playing that swerved but when you strike down the right-hand side, you

push the cue ball to the right, as we look. So that the green comes

into play. But he does not want to play what he can hit of it. Bouncing

into the pink. The cue ball going back up the table. -- bouncing into

the pink would stop the cue ball going back up the table. But, it is

dangerous. Well, it looks like it was going to be OK. But once the red

kissed the pink... It is a gift wrapped chance. If it just missed

the pink, it would have just run to the cushion, probably. What a chance

for Barry Hawkins, three frames ahead and more importantly one frame

away from a place in the semifinal. It has to be said, Barry has been

very fortunate. Getting a snooker in this frame and the previous too.

That has been the difference. These two have been... Absolutely massive.

In the context of the entire match. Yes, two frames were practically the

same. Potting the last red, it could have gone either way. It looks like

they will go towards Barry. CLAPPING Brown and blue, 14 points in front

with 13 remaining. Barry Hawkins only needs one more

frame to be in tomorrow's final. A repeat of last year's final. Barry

Hawkins leading Joe Perry now 5-2. STUDIO: Once again, Joe was in. A

tense safety exchange one in the end by Barry Hawkins. Is there any way

back for Joe? Not with how years playing. If there was one chance

snooker, and they are boxers exchanging blows? Then I would say

yes. But it does not look like... He is not scoring heavily enough. He

has not been able to convert. At this level, that would be the most

disappointing thing. If he does lose, he will look back on this

match and say, he has not performed the way that he would have liked.

But with how he has performed in the last couple of matches, he has been

so emphatic? Yes, and when you get a chance among the balls and don't

take it, then the frame can unfold in a variety of ways. And luck with

the colours can come into the equation. Barry Hawkins play and

escape, he left Joe with a big problem. You can look at it and go,

that is a little unlucky for Joe. But, whoever goes in first has the

chance to make a big blow and all is said and done, Barry Hawkins has

shown some more killer instinct tonight and looks like he is more

prepared to win compared to Joe. As Ken was saying, one away from a

rematch with Ronnie O'Sullivan. Think about that match, he was

beaten 10-1 last year, to bounce back and beat Ronnie at the Crucible

in the last 16? He has shown real... I guess that he has learned so much.

He has shown some real grit to recover from that dumping?

Definitely, maybe he has one eye on tomorrow, it is dangerous to look

ahead. But, it will be at the back of his mind, being 5-2 up. But look

forward to this match tomorrow once you've got this subway. Mark Selby,

who was the player in form. He won the World Championship and the UK

championship committee was going for the slam here. He would have been

the fifth man to hold all three of snooker's major titles. He said

afterwards, that he felt quietly confident in that match. He was very

strong in that performance? Yes, that is a pretty good yardstick.

Beating Mark Selby in style. The kinds of things that he can produce,

Barry Hawkins, we are not necessarily sure of. It is good to

see but I would like to see Joe use this as a springboard. And say, OK,

what do I do to get to the next level? I'm ignorant of who coaches

him and whether he has a coach. He needs a kick start. Perhaps on

double team you have another manager, but see if he can generate

some are meant. Great performances over the last couple of seasons. He

won his first major ranking title in 2015. The players championship, the

PTC finals, and in the July World Open... This is another step for

him. The semifinals of the Masters committee has never been here

before. What does he have left? We will find out. -- the semifinals of

the Masters. He has never been here before.

COMMENTATOR: I alluded to the fact that there would be a time when

perhaps you can break off those shackles, but again, the safety shot

catching the bother-macro in the face? Not good. -- the baulk. It's

been a big part of his game but tonight he has not been on it. The

chance to play Ronnie O'Sullivan perhaps in the final tomorrow, maybe

that is adding some pressure? This man appears to be getting a bit

stronger. It is another excellent long pot. A bit unfortunate with his

flick on the red. Those shots have been a big part of Barry's game all

week. Yes. Justified applause. Closing the

cushion, he has two cue Which? Very well, and he did. I do not think

this is a straightforward role, he has two avoid that red near the

cushion. It's a good position for him to get into, on the black. If

that red was not near the left side committee could drop it in but I

think that he's going to dig down to avoid that kiss on the second red.

That is what could happen. Striking down. Decelerating on the shot.

Hitting it too thin. We see it a lot on the superfine class. Joe Perry,

let's see what you've got... -- superfine cloth.

He is already faced with 8/2 red on the cushion. Especially as there is

pressure on this. Easing the pressure slightly. But

what a good pot it was at that pace! A fantastic pot. Clicking the red on

the way up, meaning that was left open. Needing the cue ball to run

through. Not too bad. Just one of those situations where you don't

really have too worry about where the cue ball has gone, but make sure

if you hit this pot with pace, you would be unlucky to be on one of

those reds. APPLAUSE As usual, these kinds of matches get

a lot of encouragement from this packed house at the Alexander

Palace. But he is not stringing them together...

It seems that Joe was saying to the referee about getting the pink

first. It did not look that way to me. Let's have another look... No, I

do not think it did. I think that he hit the red first. What has he left

for Barry here? Just on the right... I am wondering

whether he has the angle and enough of the cue ball to swing it and pot

it around the back of the black. Does he try and drop it in for the

gap, into the right-hand corner pocket? Looking at how the reds are

spread, he tries to get it in and he has to get it in, you feel.

A long way off. A long, long way off. He would have gone back to his

seat there, thinking, could that have been my last shot in this year

's Masters? It could well be... Wiped its feet. Always looked a bit

high. Just slow enough to let gravity take over.

Didn't intend to kiss that red on the way up to the blue. He's been

fortunate he's on this blue nicely. There's enough reds in the open to

make you think it's certainly a possibility it could be frame and

match at this visit. Played that well. Good shot. Nice

control. Those two reds near the left middle

pocket, I think the one nearest the pocket he can get on to.

If you were really desperate you could make them into a plants. Just

concentrate on the open reds at the moment. As you said, at the end of

the last frame, if he wins, it's the repeat of last year's final, where

he lost 10-1 to Ronnie O'Sullivan. But as we know, three months later,

he played him in the World Championship and beat Ronnie 13-12.

So they're long matches. He has done it against Ronnie.

That will certainly give him a lot of confidence going into tomorrow's

final. It will always be difficult against Ronnie O'Sullivan. The fact

this he did beat him in the World Championship will have helped his

confidence no end. Just looking whether that red

closest to the pocket, well he couldn't be better on it than this.

If he's not going to play it now, then maybe it's not available.

Did right there. Undecided. Get up, walk round the table. Then refocus.

Having another look at the red closest to the left middle. Does he

feel he can get on it. Play this with a bit of a flick of

right-hand side. That will be a big hurdle that he's

got over there. Two reds, two blues would see him in

the snookers required stage. Joe Perry will be fearing the worst.

Just looking at the scoreboard now, 40 points the lead, red and green

would do it. Barry Hawkins will be delighted. He

will look forward to tomorrow with great relish. It will be a great

occasion to play Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Masters. As it was last year.

He'll be hoping to do and perform a lot better. As far as Joe Perry is

concerned, Ken, disappointment. Yeah, he'll be very disappointed.

Very disappointed Joe, particularly the way he's played in his previous

two matches. Right from the very first ball in this match, it just

wasn't the same player. Sometimes you just get days like that. Maybe

as Steve said in the studio, it's something that he can look upon and

use it as a spring board from here for the rest of the season. Yeah,

you wouldn't like to think it was just the occasion got the better of

him. He's not produced anything like the form he did against Stuart

Bingham. He couldn't get the red to make it two snookers required. But

44 points the lead, 43 remaining. Big ask for Joe Perry.

Decent safety shot. Could have done with a few like that earlier on in

this match. I think he's got to be a bit careful

here. He can just get to the edge of the red below the pink, but he'd be

frightened of playing that in case he just hit the pink, but he doesn't

want to leave another red on, because remember, only one snooker

needed at the moment. That's why he's reluctant to take

this red on. It's a difficult red. He may have no choice. If he misses

it, he's sure to leave the red he's going for or the red below the pink.

If he had hit it a bit harder that was in the pocket.

Red is in a perfect place. He just pots the black and knocks the red up

into the baulk area. Gets a good snooker behind that pink.

Looks operaty good. And as tight to the pink as he can get, and put this

between cue ball and object ball. He didn't want to do that. He can

stop a professional at this level having the one cushion escape, you

feel as though it's missable. It may still be missable, but one cushion

escape is a lot easier than the two or three cushion escape.

He has missed it, would be a free ball that, for certain. Joe, you're

still in this match. He's going to need one more good pot

here. Cued that very nicely indeed.

Couldn't have cued that better. Could this be a turning point in

this match? A lit underhit, though. Barry hawkins looked, well, over the

line. A chance here for Joe. He needs the

six remaining colours. Should have been better on the yellow than this.

Not out of the woods just yet. Not perfect on this green. OK you

wouldn't expect him to miss it under normal circumstances. But these

aren't normal circumstances. What a steal this would be. Zblun

believable, wouldn't? -- Unbelievable, wouldn't it? We've