Final: Stuart Bingham v Judd Trump - Part 2 Snooker: Welsh Open

Very nice. Yes. Very nice. Somebody could treasure that. I am deeply

honoured, actually, very privileged. Very delighted, and to see it on

such a lovely trophy of Waterford Crystal and what have you. And the

words on it are just enough. Love it.

Snooker legend Ray Reardon here tonight to present one of those

brave men with the Welsh open trophy. A warm welcome back to the

final. Drama earlier on, as Stuart Bingham made a dream start before

Judd Trump fought back. This is the story of the afternoon session. One

of the longest-running events on the smoker calendar, it's the 25th

anniversary of the Welsh open. And fittingly, there's a new trophy on

offer for the winner of this best of 17 final. With eight frames played

this afternoon, Judd Trump broke down on 44, missing an easy red,

which opened the door for Stuart Bingham, who took the first frame

with a break of 69. And it was deja vu in the second, as the fifth seed

once again wasted a glorious opportunity. A break of 64 not

enough, as the world number two responded with a break of 65,

finishing up on the black. And 2-0 soon became three. Frame four, and

once again Judd Trump had the opportunity, but this unlucky in-off

cost him dear. Now playing with freedom, Bingham went into a 4-0

lead at the interval for the third match in a row. But the break once

again seemed to unsettle the 40-year-old, and Trump got his first

frame on the board. Confidence renewed, two half-centuries in the

next saw him reduce the arrears further. But a fine break of 87 in

the next restored Stuart Bingham's three frame advantage. And he looked

set to make it four. But a nervy final frame which lasted more than

40 minutes saw Trump taking it, to escape just two frames behind from

the afternoon. So, everything to play for here at the Motorpoint

Arena. Will it be Trump or Bingham? It's time to get the show back under

way. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the six time ranking event

winner from Bristol, Judd Trump! And the 2015 champion of the world,

Stuart Bingham! So, let's join our commentary team

for the big finale to the 2017 Welsh Open - Willie Thorne and Terry

Griffiths. TERRY GRIFFITHS: Thank you, Ian.

Great expectations for tonight, we are thinking this is going to be a

very special one. What do you think, Willie?

WILLIE THORNE: I think it was so important for Judd Trump to win that

final friend this afternoon. That made a big difference.

He will be looking to win three out of the four to get all square at the

interval. An early misjudgement there, Stuart Bingham court that

much too thick. First shot of the night session! So, Trump has got a

chance, black is available. What do you think the score is going

to be, Willie? It is an odd one, but I think it will be 9-7 either way.

Stuart is favourite, but I think it's going to be close. The kiss has

left him on a red into the middle. He knows how important this first

frame is. As we all know, the two first frame this afternoon, he

should have won them both, and lost them both.

Well, he's not shy of winning in one visit! Often smashes them into the

pack, clears them up. Very popular player, please all the exhibition

shots, as we talked about this afternoon, especially when he's

safe. But when he's in this situation, he's very, very serious.

That last stat just showed you how close this match has been. Potted

122 balls, but the key step is the frames. -- the key stat.

That little cluster of reds, they all appear to be in the way of one

another. So he might have to go into them.

He would like to hit the joint of the two reds. You see, when you hit

one four Forks, nothing happens. This could be end of break. And once

again, he's only on 40. As we have discussed many times, Terry, this

week, I think he's been 40 in front seven times, and lost five of them.

You just hit that black too hard, didn't he?

I was with you, if he had gone into those two reds at half the pace, he

would have been OK. Just look at the positive side for Judd - he can keep

losing from 40-odd in front of! Stuart Bingham, of course, very good

early on, two good clearances. Normally once he gets in there, he

makes the most of them. You went through a spell when he was not so

good, shall we say, be kind to him! Yes, there was a spell where it

looked like Judd was going to win the three frames after the interval,

but Stuart managed to pinch one. There is almost a gap.

Well, if he swerves around that green and blue, it would be this

worth of the century, I should think! -- it would be the swerves of

the century! He has looked to be careful with that red.

Obviously, taking quite a bit of time to decide what to play. Well,

there is an absolute legend, six time champion of the world, Ray

Reardon. Unbelievable player, great ambassador for our game. He's

absolutely delighted to have had his name put on this trophy. You had a

few battles with Ray Reardon over the years, Terry? And lost most of

them, who didn't? He was my hero, used to be down our way, playing

exhibitions. I used to love going to watch him play. Great entertainer as

well, his trick shots were tremendous.

So, Stuart finally decided to go for that double, he could not see a

safety shot, you can't blame him for that.

He hasn't got involved, really, yet in this frame. Judd has made all the

running. Well-controlled. He doesn't seem to

hit the cue ball that low, but he gets a lot of backspin on it. Very,

very talented player from a very young age. Making century breaks

when he was about eight or nine probably I should think. Playing in

Bristol in those days - moved down to Romford now, where he practices

with his manager. Not a great mixer amongst the players on the circuit,

which I don't believe is a bad thing. Taking a tip from the legend

that was Stephen Hendry, who was never a big mixer at all. Just

another red needed. Steve Davis used to talk to everybody, when he was at

his best! Exactly, he was exactly the same, wasn't he?! Not quite

going right here for Judd. I don't know why he played for that cannon,

Terry, he only needs one more red, why would he play a cannon. The one

on the cushion would be the easier pot. But why is he playing that

cannon? Doesn't fancy the one behind the pink, obviously. Just one red

needed. And he rolled it in. Well, not quite. At that pace, chance of

it going in, very slim. And look how close he came to kissing the red and

pink. He could have left them not on again, so once again, he's

vulnerable when in front, for some reason. Normally a great clincher of

frames. This week he has had a bit of trouble. He can definitely see

two of the reds on the left of the pink.

I can't believe that, what is he doing? Well, Judd Trump fans must be

horrified at the shots he goes for once he's got the frame won. Oh!

He has to pot this, otherwise he needs a snooker.

Doesn't concede, Stuart Bingham. Players generally let the other

player decide if he wants to carry on. Bit shaky, needed a few chances,

and Bingham did not get started, really. Long way to go yet.

That red he took on, it was a typical Judd shot. I don't think it

was the right shot, I certainly don't think Ray Reardon thinks it

was the right shot! . That's what he plays and used to play in the early

part of his career in the qualifiers and things. But once he gets going,

he's frightening. How good is that?! Oh, that's a

shame. I would have loved to see him clearing up. He'll be very happy,

though. The first friend go to Judd Trump, and now he only trails by

one. So, for the final time this year,

welcome to our studio, once again with a resplendent Dominic Dale

alongside me! Dominic, it was not a flawless start to the session for

job trumps, but it was all about winning the frame? Yes. He'll be

happy, I can assure you. He won that frame quite easily in the end. But

why did he play the red down the top cushion at such great pace? Did he

not fancy just rolling it in? I'm sure someone of Judd Trump's

sporting ability would not have missed it. And then he went for a

ridiculous long red to try to close the frame out. Stuart might have had

a chance to steal the frame of he had not cannoned the red. We've got

a great final on our hands now. We have? So over Judd Trump's shot

selection earlier on. How would the players have been feeling during the

three-hour break? Judd Trump just doing enough to keep his hopes alive

in that session? I was quite impressed with him to come back a

little bit at Stuart. He will have known that he had thrown a couple of

those frames away. But he got within a couple of frames of him, and he'll

be very happy being just two frames down going into tonight. Both of

them would have been gearing up for a very big start tonight, especially

Stuart Bingham, because he might have felt that he had the final won

after going 4-0 ahead. But Judd came back at him. It was interesting.

Just before we came on a, it was actually Bingham who was up here

practising, not Judd - are you surprised? I did see him practising,

though, not long before they went out. I would not have been surprised

if he had been practising long pots, just to get that first chance. We

have certainly got a game on our hands now in this final.

WILLIE THORNE: Yes. I think that's the first time Stuart has looked a

bit edgy. Judd trying to get back into the matched, and he's done that

now. But we keep asking the question, can he keep getting away

with when he's 50 or 60 in front? TERRY GRIFFITHS: That was a good

pot, very clean. Thought he might have been

unfortunate there, but he's OK as it turns out.

Judd Trump plays very quickly, scores very quickly when he's on

form, and that can be unsettling when you're sitting in the chair,

wondering if you're ever going to win a ball again. He has been

through this many times, I'm sure. An experienced players, who world

amateur champion in 1996. One of the few players on the tour who has won

the world amateur and the world professional championship.

Just the one remaining loose red. Judd is very good at playing the

forcing stun into the pack. He decided to play for the loose one

this time, he didn't fancy going into them. I'm not sure he can get

topside of the blue easily from this...

There is a lot of power needed now, he may play two cushions.

Like I say, it was not a great pack to go into. The movement he got on

the cue ball then, tremendous. Great power, timing to get that topspin.

He deserved better than that for that effort.

He doesn't often turns these difficult shots down.

Yes, it's hard to work Judd out. Because potted it, we say, great

shot. It looks like he's decided to go all-out attack this evening.

Needs to bounce... It's not easy to get to the next red from here.

He was trying to pinch of it there. -- pinch a bit. Now, Stuart, you

need to get a foothold in this session.

Another 40-plus break from Judd Trump, and breaking down.

He will probably play the cello or brown rather than the black, because

you cannot guarantee you will get nicely on a red. The yellow would be

the better choice, but it is a harder shot than the brown. It is

whether he get the desired amount of screw back.

That might be fine, because he may be able to nudge a couple of

threads. A little bit higher than he wanted,

but these three reds are available. He is nice on the next colour. You

can see him clearing from here. And regaining the two frame lead.

Has he gone higher? I thought for a minute he had underhit it, but he is

OK. He does not want to take the pink.

That might have tied one of the reds up. He is not cueing like you got

this afternoon, he looks very edgy. Should he clear here, that will

certainly calm the nerves. This would change the match.

It is always easy to play for the blue here, it makes hitting up to

the yellow simple, or even a walk colour. I do not blame him for that

at all. If this was not in a major final, you would see him clearing

here, --. I am not sure he has settled yet, but it should be

straightforward. Judd Trump started with a break of

48, broke down in the late 40s. He is getting in first nine out of

every ten frames. It would be a delighted Stuart

Bingham getting down to pop this. It looked for all money that he would

get level, Judd Trump, which Stuart Bingham cleared the table with 63 to

go to clear again. Stuart Bingham is now two thirds of

the way towards winning the Welsh Open here in Cardiff. He has

re-established a two frame lead. Dominic, we have talked a lot this

week about Judd Trump breaking down on his breaks when he gets into the

40s or the 60s, and it has happened again. Yes, 48 this time. Stuart has

cleared up. Judd has a good lead here.

He is playing it as a shock to nothing. I do not blame him, it is

the right shot, the black is waiting over the corner pocket, but the cue

ball has come off the baulk question, the red has wobbled in the

pocket and come to -- between the yellow and brown. A bit unfortunate.

Difficult for Judd Trump now. He might just start to think it is

getting away from him now. Stuart Bingham might start to see the

finish line. Far too early. He will not take anything for granted. If

you are Stuart Bingham, you might think, Judd has to win five out of

the next seven, but at the end of the day, Judd is only two friends

behind, there are two frames before the mid-session interview, he can

win both of them. A good break off. He will not be

happy at being two frames behind, as he had opportunities to win the last

frame, but it is not too bad. The first 29 wins the title this year --

the first to 9. This is the fourth of the new Coral sponsorships,

played in England and Manchester and Northern Ireland and Belfast and in

Glasgow in Scotland. What a great idea, to have the four legends,

Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Alex Higgins and Ray Reardon giving away

the Welsh Trophy. A massive round of applause that Ray got. Virtually the

whole crowd stood up and applauded. He carried the game for a number of

years. In the 70s. 60s and 70s. Almost unbeatable in the World

Championship. The likes of John Spencer, who is not with us any

more, and Alex Higgins, who is not with us, Eddie Charlton. Quite a lot

of good players. Not as many as today. It does not matter how many

there is, if you want to win, you have to beat them all. This is not

easy, as if he goes into the pack, he will leave a read on. He could do

with common behind into the bunch, but he cannot get there.

He could leave a read on, so this is a tricky situation.

I can only presume he is playing to hit the loose red, but this is very

dangerous. You are having a laugh! If he played that, congratulations.

Unfortunately, he has left a shot to nothing on. Judd has spotted and lot

of these so far. But not this time. A great escape from Stuart Bingham.

It is not seem interested about any safety battles. That is the reason

why, when you can part like that. Stuart Bingham was very short on

that last safety, you have to get near the ball ocean.

He has won red to the left of the black. He can stun it round three or

four questions. He hit quite hard, I say. With

accuracy. One of the few players that can

generate that much spin when you have to come around the baulk and

all the time. The case will come off the second red. He made sure of the

fall ball contact. Where the White has finished, you

can see he potted that very thick. If it was in the centre of the

pocket, it would have been top side of the blue. Already he has gone in

and out of red -- baulk on three occasions. He does not have the cue

ball on a string at the moment. But what a judgment of pace, very

good. The first time in four tries he has

got the right side of the blue. There is a red that pots. Once

again, he is in the nervous 40s. Can he make this one a frame when a?

Horrible kick. I hope he can't hear you. You are

putting him off! That was a bad one. The only good thing was he potted

it, because it was an enormous kick. I can not believe that a macro did

not change direction. Do you knock the blue in or play a good safety

shot? You never know with him. It would not be a bad idea, knocking

the black safe, but he cannot do that and get a good white.

He made a good fist of it, though, the black is safe. This time, a

perfect length of cue ball. Surely he cannot lose another frame after a

40 odd break. We keep saying it. Since the quarterfinal he has lost

eight while being between 40 and 50 up. It shows how dominant he has

been early on in the frames. But surely now he will win this one. It

is so hurtful when you lose from in front so many frames at important

times in a final of a ranking event. This is the 25th anniversary of the

Welsh Open this year. One of the longest standing events on the

circuit. Some great times. It was in Newport

for many years. Some great championships have been played

there. Back in the capital now. It has been

here now for quite a while. They need a big venue, with 128 players

trying to get through. Just two left.

The ripple of applause will tell Judd Trump that he is in the safety

position in this frame. He will be pleased he got that one,

Stuart Bingham sits in his chair. Judd Trump is out for a breath of

fresh air. The pressure is on. The world number four try to win the

Welsh Open for the first time. 6-5 now. Will this go all the way? It is

a massive frame now before the interval. If Judd Trump could go in

at 6-6, it would be all he could have asked for. It nearly got away

from him again, a massive kick on a red, put him out of position. He

wants to roll through a couple of reds. You can see them leave the bed

of the table. He can do a long blue or a very thin black, but he has

cleared his thoughts and used intelligence and played a good

safety shot. He has put the black on the side cushion, and Stuart Bingham

knows the black is out of commission. That can deflate you

slightly. He has just done enough to force an error from Stuart Bingham,

who left Judd Trump straight back in, so that is good from Joad. He

made his thoughts clear, Judd Trump, on the initial mistake. Game on once

again. Stuart Bingham knows he has to win

this frame to keep the two frame advantage. That is what his mindset

would have been, share the frames, do not lose a mini-session. Again,

very short of the baulk cushion. Luckily for him, he has not left a

shot to nothing. Has he spotted a three-ball plant? Those two reds are

set, but I do not think he can get to it. Can he play the red onto

those reds? If he catches it three quarters ball... Is this worth the

risk? It will be a great shot if it goes in, but I am not sure it is

worth the risk. He decided discretion was better.

That is not his best shot by any stretch of the imagination, a very

poor safety. A very delayed pause on that shot.

He try to get into the cue ball. He did not hit it with his normal

authority. This red pots. I wonder whether he will play an

aggressive shop here, pot the red and the into the pink and black. The

black will go behind the pink ball. I would risk going into the bunch at

pace here. He just played for the loose one, though. He has not played

it very well. If you play the black into the pack,

he could have freed the pink spot. The black will still pot. But not

from the angle he has got from the red. He will go up for blue or baulk

colour. A great pot, but the yellow is not

good. Look at that. The pace he put on that. Tremendous. How that

greenest aid in the pocket, I don't know. Unfortunate to catch the

brown, he was hoping to go straight into the pack. There is aggressive

and there is aggressive! If this is a 4-ball plant, he is fortunate.

No shot to nothing this time for Stuart.

Having a look to come off two cushions and clipped the side of the

tent macro. Well played. That could have gone

wrong. You don't see that very often, a

player just touching it like that. The referee, heated to them a

warning this afternoon that they were doing this type of thing, and

he said, I'll give you three more shots, and then it'll be a re-rack,

which he's entitled to do. And of course the players themselves can

ask for a re-rack. Somebody who is 20-odd points in

front will not be asking for a re-rack. I think the man is in

front, generally, if it comes to these awkward situations, tends to

leave the safety shot shot on for his opponent. 26 in front, it's not

a lot, really, by today's standards, with all this break building going

on. I don't think Stuart has got into

the game so far this evening. He looked brilliant this afternoon, and

tonight he looks like he's trying not to lose, rather than trying to

win it. He was free-flowing this afternoon, and looked very, very

dangerous every time he got in. I'm not sure he's got the same mindset

as if he could well get it back. Yes, it only takes a good pot, it's

surprising how you can pick up again. Had a bit of a rough ride

since 4-0. Stuart has got a long pot on here,

it's a kind of shot he would normally take on. He has got to be a

bit more positive, as Willie said. But it's easy when you're in the

commentary box, I suppose. He hit that one nice. Fabulous shot. And

the beauty of that, he finished low on the black, so in putting this

black, he'll move the pink away. That was a good shot, just at the

right bout of spin on it to get the right side of the blue and bring the

reds into play. He decided to wait for a better

opportunity. Those two reds which are tied up as no problem. He will

be disappointed with that, he underhit it by some 2ft. He had the

two reds in the middle pocket as well. You don't always catch the cue

ball as you'd like. Timing is very important. He'll be very

disappointed, because he knows that would have been a real body blow for

Judd again. Social on that last one. -- so short on that last blue.

I think Judd's going to play to get it back into baulk here.

Brilliant shot. You would never say that was the wrong shot, because

he's got the cue power to get to the baulk cushion. One of the benefits

of cue power is that you don't have to hit it so hard to get the spin

on. But I think that red would have been in that any speed. It was dead

centre. Stuart Bingham had a good chance

earlier on. Got the black and pink open, and lost position.

These reds on the side cushion are OK for a right-hander, but not for a

left-hander. Not guaranteed to hit these perfectly. Now, has he left

one on? If he had been stunning it into them, I would have guaranteed

him getting onto a red. But he has not got the desired kiss, so end of

break. He's looking at a plant now. Not far

out, only about six inches! And about three or four inches between

the two balls as well! He's having a go... Yes, he got close. But he had

the easiest safety shot in the world. Up in behind the yellow. Wide

as he keep giving people chances? He's great, love him to death, but

very reckless at times. He has left one down the cushion for

Stuart with the long rest, which is never the easiest shot. He had a

couple of safety options, which he turned down. That's his choice.

I'm sure he can pot this with some side and bring the reds into play.

He could have, but he caught it has nothing. Thing is not happening for

Stuart at the moment. -- he caught it too thin. Somehow or other, Trump

may have rattled him a bit. Still 6-5 in front, though. . Yes, he

looked very bemused in potting that green. Just got to be very careful

he doesn't make contact with the black on the way back here... That's

not a bad pace, either. One of his better safety shots

there. Or should I say better shot selection?

How did that stay out? Almost hanging over the edge of the slate

there into the pocket. Awkward bridging from the maul he'll take

pot on into the right corner. -- awkward bridging from there.

This frame has become a little bit of a battle now.

Putting colours safe - he's cracking up!

First 29, though. Bingham needs three, Trump needs four. -- first to

nine, of course. Got to worry about the object ball here. Where are the

reds going to finish, is the problem. Just a fraction too hard, I

thought he had got the snooker. But we know that Judd's going to be

tipped it. -- going to be tempted. I think he will just play off top

cushioned just rest on the red. He can't do an awful lot with the

cue ball. Must get the object ball safe, it doesn't matter so much this

time about getting the cue ball in the right place.

He was trying to get behind the black off two cushions.

Did not want to put the black safe there. He's 14 points behind. He

would have preferred the black to stay in place. So, Judd at this

moment in time is strong favourite to win this frame. Even stronger

now. He did play the double. What kind of kiss is he going to get on

the red and green? He just played the snooker. I'm surprised he did

not play the cannon, because it looked a straightforward cannon.

As we say many times, it's not about hitting it, it's getting it safe.

He's 20 points behind now, he does not want to be giving too many fouls

away at this stage. That's a good attempt. Very well done.

Really tough one. Huge round of applause, the crowd were aware of

it. You don't always get that for a safety shot.

One good safety shot here would get Stuart in trouble again. Once again,

played the double - and got it. 21 points in front now. If he had left

Stuart on peace, we would have been saying, why has he gone for the

double? But that's the way he plays. Is he putting it safe what is he

trying to pot it? Soon find out... That was an excellent shot. One of

his best so far. Of course, he will be needing

snookers if he misses this. And he does.

If it had been 27, Terry, I think it could have still been called a miss.

Yes. The problem is, he could possibly missed the brown and go

in-off. He's got it, though. And he hasn't gone in-off.

He's going to go into the interval at 6-6 come having been 5-2 behind.

I wonder whether Stuart will carry on, even if he misses this.

29 points in front, so still needs three snookers. Two, actually. But

still plenty to do. This is a good effort. What a good

effort that was. It has just been a series of 40

breaks once again tonight for Judd, but he's won three of the four

frames. He caught that one too thin. This

brown for 6-6. Clearly not happy with the position

of pink and black there. At this standard, when a person

needs two snookers, you would have to think you would have to lay about

seven or eight to get your opponent to miss two.

Well, this has been a remarkable effort. Precious little room behind

the back of the black to play it that way and almost get the snooker.

Very tough. Could do with the pink or black being further off the

cushion if he gets the chance to do that. And that I am pretty sure will

be the end of frame. He'll be very, very please, Judd Trump, and so will

his army of fans who have travelled down from Bristol. It hasn't been

vintage Trump, but that doesn't matter when you get yourself back

from 5-2 behind. So, Judd Trump did what he had to do, winning three of

the four frames in that session to level the match.

Well, this is a situation that few of us could have predicted earlier

on, when Stuart Bingham went 4-0 up. But by hook or by crook, Judd Trump

has got himself level here in Cardiff. And it is anyone's match

now, Dominic! Well, Judd doesn't give up, Besson an attacking player,

always at your heels, and he's putting Stuart under pressure now,

and it's beginning to tell. And we're going to show you a triple

double, three double shots from Judd Trump, which demonstrates his

growing confidence. Absolutely. This one was whiskey-ish, but it was a

great one to get big as it gave him position on the blue. Two of them

were quite difficult doubles, one of them he would have expected to get.

But yes, he's feeling confident now, and probably not feeling the

pressure that Stuart Bingham is beginning to feel. Probably Stuart

will be remembered fact that he was 4-0 up in this match. But this

interval has come at a good time for him. I guess we seen a little bit of

the flamboyance that you associate with Judd Trump? Yes, Judd plays in

the manner of Jimmy White or Alex Rins. But in that era, you could

probably make three or four mistakes in a frame and still win it. You

can't do that these days, so for somebody to be at the top of the

sport saying in that manner is amazing. And it's testament to how

good a player Judd is. I have criticised him in times gone by for

his cue ball control, and maybe that has sometimes let him down when he

has broken down on current. But when the balls split favourably for him,

he still makes 100 breaks. He's made 40 centuries this season, so he must

be playing well. You may have seen a fair number of

new faces around the arena this week. Not just players, but new

referees on the circuit. 19 ranking events now, and 12 countries staging

tournaments, more referees are required. What makes you want to do

the job, and how do they go about finding the ones?

They come to us on the European tour, so they are already qualified

from their national governing bodies. They already know what they

are doing from a basics point of view. We can identify them after

watching them for a few matches, we know the ones to look at, who have

the natural ability and can follow the game very well. We spent a bit

more time with them and try to bring them along. I started watching

snooker when I was 13. But we did not have any snooker tables in my

hometown. So a few years later, when I moved to Sophia, I took a course

and became a referee. I first started watching snooker 11 years

ago, it quarterfinal of the Welsh Open. I did not think I could become

a referee, cos we did not have any tournaments or players in Bulgaria,

so there was no need for referees. Started growing bigger in Bulgaria,

so I wanted to make the next step and become a referee. Some of the

bigger names to play on the back tables, they are not in the

limelight, and that is a good chance for the up-and-coming referees to

get the experience of refereeing those but not putting them in front

of a thousand people, which could put them under pressure. Discipline,

concentration. It is not just on the table, but of the table, you are on

time, you set your table up, discipline, that is what we drill

into them. When they are on the table, it is the same again, is up

and, concentration. It is a pressure job. The ultimate aim is each event

gets refereed the same way. No matter who the referee is. We want

every big to be consistent. I did the final here in 2002 when Paul

Hunter won it. Any big final is massive. The Crucible is the one,

but all of the finals come once you get a crowd involved, two good

players, and you get immersed in it. If you cannot concentrate there, you

will never concentrate. It is a huge honour to do any ranking event, this

is my fifth one, and the second Welsh. Might get a bit nervous to

start with, but once you get into the routine it is a joy. Totally

neutral, but I am hoping for a cracking final.

Plenty of new refereeing talent coming through, but what about

players? We got eclipse of the future this week with the two Welsh

wild cards who have been competing here, and Terry Griffiths has been

taking a look at the state of the game in this country.

Every youngster who picks up a cue to play this wonderful game dreams

of winning, of becoming a champion. We may be a small nation, but like

our rugby, we have a proud tradition of producing great players. Max

Boyce sank of a Welsh outside half factory, a production line of gifted

players built from south Wales coal. There was a time when we had a

snooker factory, manufacturing magicians of the baize, at that has

started to run dry. Will we ever produce another Ray Reardon or Mark

Williams? This week at the Welsh Open two young talented Welsh

amateur players were given wild cards to play with the big boys and

to experience the big stage. Tyler Rees from my hometown, Llanelli, and

Jackson page, from Mark Williams country, Ebbw Vale, came here and

created huge interest. Who is Jackson? 15, from Ebbw Vale. He is

living his dream, buzzing. Should you not be in school? Yes. I have

had a bit of time off this week. One of the best bits is going to the

players' lounge and practising amongst the pros see what they do

with their time, being around this place am feeling like a player, like

you should be here. It is the right decision to put them as wild cards.

There should not be any of the older people getting wild cards. Any

experience they can get has got to be good. Jackson enjoyed his time in

the limelight. Winning two matches before running into Judd Trump,

himself a child prodigy a decade ago. The wild cards are perfect.

They should only really go to younger players that are looking for

a chance. It is great experience for them, I would have loved to have had

that opportunity before I was 16 to see where I was at. Almost unseen

here, we got a glint of the future of the game. Within a few hours of

Jackson's televised match with Judd Trump, on the same table a young

Chinese 17-year-old beat Mark Selby. He has been talked about for over a

year, he has had a good season so far. He showed what a great player

he is, he held himself together well. The Chinese production line is

in full flow, with so many talented players coming through. All of the

wild cards over the past five or six years, playing at the start tables,

it is one of the main reasons they are as good as they are now. The

youngsters from China are unbelievable. We need to start

giving the youngsters a chance. There are some talented ones out

there. Give them a chance and hopefully they will enjoy it. I

returned's mantra is that sports entertainment will thrive when

competition is at its most fears, but is more than elite snooker to

brutal? It is brutal, you feel like you cannot win a match after a

losing streak. I barely lost as a teenager. A massive step up then,

and I got on the tour, and you cannot win to what three matches in

a row. When I was coming through, it was how it should be, you can build

momentum, against the lower ranked professionals, and get to the final

venue and play the top players. Nowadays it is a bit too hard for

the younger players. We need to give the next generation every chance to

flourish in this brave new world of fierce competition. Let's hope it is

not too long for our young Welsh players left the Ray Reardon Trophy,

to continue our proud legacy as one of snooker's superpowers.

We will talk about the future in a moment, but I am delighted to say we

have been joined by a big star of years gone by, the Welsh sporting

legend Ray Reardon. How are you? I am very well, nice to be here. You

live in Devon these days. That is right. I have not been back here for

three years. It is too long. Enjoying your stay? It is an up and

back job today. One night in Cardiff. It does not give me a

chance to see my relatives. You are here because the wonderful trophy

that we saw there is now named after you. How does that feel? Whoever

wins that, it is a tough match out there at the moment, but it is a

lovely trophy. It is one for the sideboard. Pride of place. A nice

bit of Waterford Crystal. I identified it immediately! The last

time I saw him, I spilt red wine down his shirt and tie at the 2006

World Championship. I am lucky I change my Thai! It is a different

one! What does it mean to you, for the trophy to be named after you? It

came as a big surprise. When it came by letter, I was over the moon. It

is nice. I was deeply honoured. Very excited. It is very kind of them.

All the people who made it possible, thank you very much indeed. I do not

know if people still have mantelpieces, but it should take

pride of place on one. They will have one in Wales! How are you

enjoying the final? It is nipped in to. It is anybody's game, it is

good. They are in and not working it out properly. The table is speedy.

You know the table is better than me, they are fast, which is ideal

for making breaks will stop wonderful. Ronnie Wood love it in

there. That is why he wins so many tournaments these days will stop it

is like being on a golf course with fast greens. Augusta. Magic. Give me

your thoughts on the state of the modern game and what you think of it

compared to your era. It is very good, I love it. They have changed

the format, there are more tournaments. The best-of-7 frames,

it is anybody's game. Anybody out of the top 16 would love it. Maybe the

ones above would not think so much of it. It is a give and take

business. It was introduced for the spectators. They see two games

rather than one, so they get better value for money, more people can see

a surprise result, and nobody seems to be domineering in the way they

did in the 80s and 90s. Not forgetting my bit in the 70s,

obviously! Just the six world titles! F8's they played the final

in Preston last week, Barry Hawkins and Ryan Day, they were down here on

the Monday, so they had to drive from Preston. I do not suppose they

got to bed until 2am, then they have to drive down here and play on the

Monday, they should have a day's grace. The organisation should sort

that out. You undecided. What about these two. Fantastic, great players.

There are so many great players today, it is difficult to pick a

winner. In my day, there would be half a dozen who could win it, but

now there must be 50 or more. It is tough. I heard you talking about the

15-year-old from Wales. As a young lad in the audience now, Ivan

Davies, his father rang me up a couple of weeks ago, I got him to

meet me in the audience, 11 years of age, he has made a 108 break, that

is nice. It shows how the game is progressing. We will hope to see

Tyler Rees and Jackson page make their way. 6-6 in this final, what

do you see happening? I think it will be one all lost mentally,

whoever takes the chances the best and deals with adversity the best.

Judd Trump will try to pop his way to victory and Stuart Bingham will

try to score heavily but mediate his shot choices a bit more. Who for

you, Ray? I wish them both the best of luck. There is not much in it. It

is touch and go. You know me, it takes a long time to say something!

Ruble go back into the arena, it is time to get show back under way.

Here comes the climax. These welcome back your players, Stuart Bingham

and Judd Trump! E join our commentary team for the

final session here in Cardiff of the 2017 Welsh Open final, Darren Morgan

and Willie Thorne. What a pleasure it was to see Ray

Reardon in the studio there. Six time champion of the world, an

absolute legend. Judd Trump is level. I thought Stuart Bingham in

the first four frames this evening looked a bit cautious, Darren. Yes,

it has a different start from what he had earlier this afternoon. It is

game on again now. We were saying earlier at the end of the last

session Judd Trump needed to win the frame to come in tonight at least

5-3. He would have been coming out looking to win the first session 3-1

to level everything up. Again, which he has done. This is an important

frame. They are all important. But I think it is more imperative for

Stuart Bingham to get a frame back on the board and re-establish his

authority. The key stat is should Bingham's pot

success has dropped below 90%. You have to be above 90 to win any

tournament. But that is excellent. It has to be above 92 win at this

level. If he goes on to win this match, it will be above 90, I am

sure. I do not think the black or pink art in play, so he may go brown

or green into the pink. The brown has a perfect angle to do that.

There is a bit of mileage to playing into the pink and reds.

I can only presume he has played for the wreck above the black. He has

gone into it a bit too much. From that angle he would have been on

that perfect. It would have been tight where ever he had finished.

That is why I thought he would play into the pink. He had to be into the

inch, whereas if he had played into the pink and reds, a slight chance

he would have brought it all into play. He has a safety shop now,

unless he takes the long one on. No attempt at the pot there, just

try to play the good safety. He can play a run through with top

spin. He is just looking very edgy to me,

Stuart. He has been slotting these in all week, bread and butter shot.

A lot more pressure at the moment, coming right to the business end of

the event. This is Judd Trump's best chance of

going into the lead in this match for the first time. If he puts the

colour, red and colour, it will be the first time he has gone into the

lead. He has always been chasing. That looks absolutely perfect and

the red apathy that goes. This blue and he takes the lead for

the first time. Clearly not a frame-winning

opportunity at the minute, with that red very tight. He will do well to

score above 40. He has had a good look at this red. It is not look

like it pot. The red looks like it is on the way. We will know after

this if he thinks it pot. He does. If it does, he can hold it for the

pink. You have to play it now, you have looked at it twice, and nothing

has moved since. I was with you on that. I could

clearly see that that did not go. He thought he could pinch it off the

draw. That looked like it would not go by a mile.

No damage done, though. Still just left with a safety to be played.

He has not been finding the baulk cushion so far this evening. That is

why Judd Trump has been potting a lot of shots do nothing. That is

where he needs the cue ball to keep Judd Trump off the table. That will

be called Amis. I think Stuart is entitled to have it put back. Even

if he catches one of the reds, he could knock one on.

Stuart suggesting there is a chalk mark from his tip. Sometimes it does

not make any difference, I always used to say to the referee, if he is

still going to play the same shot, I am happy. I agree. Before this came

in, with the use of the TV monitor, it was down to the players and the

referee to decide anyway. With the shot he is playing, he is going to

play the same shot every time to get into the back of the pack. This one

he has gone wide. He is never going to do damage here, so he will make

another adjustment. It is a very big target, in fairness, six or seven

inches of pack he can hit of the questions.

I am sure he can see a ball full ball and he may get warned. Maybe he

cannot see it full ball, because he has not been warned.

Touching ball declared. He might try to put the white back in the same

place as it was. He will play in behind the yellow this way. Not

tight, but tight on the baulk cushion, around the yellow spot.

If the black had been out in the open, Stuart Bingham might have been

tempted to go for the red into the right corner. But the pink and black

are tied up, so I cannot see much value. He would have to played with

a lot of pace. A good safety is the order of the day.

Under normal circumstances even the pink and black are tied up, Judd

would be having a go at it. As it happens, he has a shot to nothing.

His long potting right throughout this tournament has been terrific.

The only thing that has been missing is a century break. It will be tough

to get on from here, where the balls are, but nice breaks. A bit of

movement in the crowd. Topside of the blue, then he can get good of

the red below the pink. That was a long way away.

That is unbelievable, after the red he knocked into get in. He will not

have expected to have missed that. He was hoping for the cue ball to

run another three or four inches. He will have to pot either a tricky

brown or green. He did not have to do a lot with the

cue ball. It was a solid shot. In the context of this match, this

is a very big frame, really important.

Stuart, having been in total control in this match, has seen Judd Trump

begging him back. Look at one stage that he was going to be having an

early bat and on his way home. Could have done with another 2ft of pace

in that cue ball. He would have liked to have been on the one next

to the pink. He will have to go up for the blue again now. He just has

to make sure he gets top of the blue. Amazing, isn't it? Two inches

shorter, it's absolutely perfect. But from that position, not sure

whether he can hold it for the pink. And he's nicely on the red - good

shot. Well, that was a miscalculation. He

has played to move the two reds. I can only think the pace of the cue

ball has just changed the angle in striking the red, so all he can do

is lay the snooker. He knows that's one that's Ottaway. Still in the

driving seat. -- that's what a way. He has got this tricky red across

the cush, but at this stage of the match, is he going to be tempted?

He's been very cagey tonight, Stuart Bingham. First four frames earlier

on, he would have been playing that red. He's played quite good safety.

Looking at this, he can just get past the blue to the potting angle

of this red nearest the pink spot. Always better when you're playing

that shot on the thin side. Trying to get in the back green and brown.

-- in behind green and brown. Stuart's safety has been poor this

evening, hasn't found the baulk cushion very often. You can see the

frustration in his face. He's very close to the baulk cushion

this time. Awkward cueing. He could be pushing a red towards

the right corner. He's head that a lot thicker than he would have

liked. But he's OK. He will have to be careful he does

not push a red over the corner this time. Another two inches of pace, it

would have been absolutely perfect. Good safety shot, that.

I don't think I've ever seen that before, where he's asked Stuart to

look rather than the referee to look. He feels he can get through to

this red, and Stuart would probably think he was taking advantage if he

plays it next time and can hit the red. I don't think I've ever seen

that before. It's always the referee, and the player should stay

away from the shot. That was very strange. But he feels he can hit it.

And he could. Well played. Unlucky. And both these players good friends

off the table. In fact, as this tournament finishes tonight, another

one starts tomorrow. Seven players playing in it, and who is up first

match? Judd Trump and Stuart Bingham. It's quite ironic. I don't

think Judd Trump has brought his car with him, and I think he might be

having a lift to the tournament tomorrow with Stuart! Not friends

out there at the moment, though. It's war!

Well, again, another great long pot from Judd Trump. There wasn't much

room there, either. . He has to be careful he doesn't cannon into the

pink or black, because he could find himself snookered. Amazingly, he

went right through the middle of both of them. He's not happy, who

does not appear to be on the middle of the three reds, which was the one

he played for. Just a fraction too hard. Is he going to risk the long

pink into the corner? I don't blame him for taking this on. He's behind

and he knows that if he pots this, he could take this friend. -- he

could take this frame. So there is an advantage in taking this on. It's

there. Bringing the black into play as well. He generates so much power,

with very little backswing. Is the black going to go on its own

spot comfortably? If it doesn't, he might have to take the black.

And if there is anybody interested, incidentally, to watch this

Champions League, in Essex, it starts tomorrow, and you can see

these leaf wonderful players battling it out yet again. I was so

surprised he played to pot the black, because he was tying up the

red and black. Unlucky not to have a straightforward shot on the pink or

black. He has given Stuart a big advantage

in this safety exchange now. He can at him in behind the yellow and

blue. -- he can put him in behind. Well, he wasn't far away from that

long red there. I gave some wrong information a couple of minutes ago.

So I'm going to correct myself because I don't want people coming

to find out where I live and taking it out on me. As you can see, the

match time is up to four powers. And I think there is still quite a way

to go before we get a conclusion to this. A little bit fortunate, but he

will take it. Back to my wrong information - the play tomorrow is

at the Ricoh Arena, and you can watch it live streaming. You won't

be allowed in. Where is that brown going? That's the worst possible

outcome for Stuart Bingham. A lot of distance between both balls.

He does play those shot is very, very well. Still a lot to do in this

frame. And he must be thinking, this is starting to slip away slightly.

In total control at the 4-0 up. Looked like going 6-2. So close.

Yes, a right-handed player would not have played that. He missed it by

just a fraction. Worse still, he doesn't have an easy safety shot.

You can't help feeling that the run is slightly helping Judd Trump now,

he's in the ascendancy. That was a very well played shot, no luck

involved there whatsoever. Now, Judd has played it firm to

leave distance between the cue ball and object ball. Well, what a result

that is for Stuart Bingham. A few seconds ago, you would have thought

he would have been out of the frame. Green to brown is not

straightforward here. The green going back onto its own spot would

help, so I wonder if he will play for the green off this red.

For me, that's definitely the right shot.

And I just said it looked like the run had changed in favour of Judd

Trump. Commentator's curse! I think Willie is right, red to green would

make things a little bit easier for him.

And now, the clearance should be OK. Any sort of angle on the green is

good, anything but straight. And that's OK.

This will hurt Judd Trump, because it looks like for the first time he

was going to take a one frame advantage in this match. Stuart may

have a bit of a bounce in his step again now, if he takes this frame.

Mind you, what's happened there? That pink was harder than it should

have been. For in it goes, and Stuart Bingham will take a big sigh

of relief. Stuart Bingham will be a lot happier

now. It's just so difficult. We thought earlier that it would go the

distance, and it looks like it could. The momentum is swinging one

way and then the other? Yes, it is. That was a chance for Judd Trump to

take the lead for the first time, at a crucial stage, and I was beginning

to think that the tide was turning in Judd's favour. But Stuart played

a really good shot out of a snooker, which Judd had been fortuitous to

leave. Judd was very unfortunate to go in-off. A lot of side spin on the

cue ball which helped it in. And the worst thing ever for Judd, the red

has gone into baulk, and it's a fairly simple clearance. Was a long

frame, 35 minutes. And they have been in action since one o'clock,

with that break in the middle. To what extent does tiredness start to

creep in, because that was a really scrappy frame? Hallam adrenaline

kicks in, and they will not be particularly mentally tired, really.

It is a very close affair now, very tense, every frame is vital. And you

were saying that you felt that Judd was starting to make sure folder

wobble under pressure perhaps? Yes. But I still think this final could

go all the way. This next frame is enormous now. Of Judd Trump can win

it, he's right back in there. If Stuart Bingham can win it, he's got

a bit of daylight. What drama we've got, then, in the final, in Cardiff.

So, here we go. Stuart Bingham breaking off, he'll be very relieved

that he's managed to keep his lead. We're going to see another trademark

Judd Trump special. He has been knocking these in all day. More

pressure now, though. Still, again, never in doubt, really. His long

game has been absolutely fantastic. Yes. Stuart's going to have to work

on his break-off. He has left that shot to nothing in at least half the

frames where he has broken off. I can't tell you how hard it is to

play them that strength, and there wasn't a very big gap between black

and red. If he gets a good angle on the next black, he'll finish on the

red behind the pack and open some more out. Two long frames, the last

two, 35 minutes and 36 minutes - I did not expect to see any frames go

that long in this match. It's like a forcing screw, that shot. Oh! I did

not see that coming, I've got to say, that was a twitch. A lot of

movement on that shot as he played it

. Not as bad as I thought it was at first glance, but it's definitely a

twitch. REFEREE: Foul, Stuart Bingham one,

Judd Trump, five. WILLIE THORNE: He's in trouble now

with the safety shot, because Judd will put him back into bar

theatrical visitor free ball? No, it's not. -- he will put him back

into bat here. Is it a free ball? Surely it's not.

He's having a look at something. I'm not sure what he thinks he has

found. There is certainly no plant there. I cannot imagine he's going

to attempt to play this shot. He has now asked if there IS a free ball.

It must be close, because if you took the four reds from just to the

right of the pink... It's not going to matter now. He has put Stuart

Bingham back in. Well, they don't come much better

than that. He's played that with a lot of bottom and side. Great pot.

I think what might have frustrated Judd all day today as well, he's

been the wrong side of the blue more than he's been the right side, so

he's have played these long pots. -- so he's had to play these long pots.

And again, he's going to have to play another good pot. Did not want

the cannon on the red there. The only thing I can think of is the

plant just to the left of the pink, and that's what he's played for.

It's just a safety. That's the only thing I feel with Judd Trump this

week, he just hasn't scored. His long potting has been good, his

safety has been good, he's just struggled to score. I'm sure he's

had more 40s and 50s than anybody else. And we know he has certainly

lost more frames than anybody else from 40-odd in front. I can think of

at least seven frames that he's lost from that position. Once again,

Stuart not finding the baulk cushion. So that makes this safety

shot quite straightforward. And the back red I think cuts in the corner,

so he will be playing the pot. This time, though, it did not go in. And

Stuart can play it quite confidently, knowing that he's got

the blue in play. He would like to be on the Hof Paul

Green, that would be perfect. That could be a frame-winner, because you

would expect him to get 30 or 40, nicely on the red, because black and

pink art available. This is a chance. A great chance to

go 8-6 in front. He can get through to this red. Even

though Judd Trump is a frame behind, he has scored more points. This

frame has taken the same pattern as quite a few of the others, Judd has

gone in with 30 or 40, all the are awkward, he has got himself a

thread, and he has thrown a lifeline to Stuart Bingham when the balls of

a lot clearer in the table is a lot less messy. He played for the pink.

Disappointed with the way it came off the cushion.

He has underscrewed it. He did not get into that at all. Quite a big

margin of error there, he could have screwed back another two feet. He

was more concerned with overscrewing it. He wanted the white back to

where his hand is. A lot wider than he wanted. Will he take this red on?

He can play this as a shock to nothing, screw it in and get onto

the blue. He will be disappointed he did not

score heavily there, that was a great chance.

If you can get through to this red to the right corner... That. The

best safety shot he has played. How confident is he? He has played the

follow-through. He could have done without a cannon on the pink. Still

a good strike. A lot thinner on the pink than he would like. He has

spotted quite a few of these greens today. One good shot away from

potentially putting himself in a winning position in this frame.

He played the more difficult shot. He is not very happy. A couple of

little hand gestures going on, that he has got away with that a little

bit. This was a real difficult shot, this blue. He was playing it with

loads of left-hand side. A miracle to get away with it. Any sort of

space of the question, these words would have been available. He has

not left anything on. Another very well played safety. He

has found the baulk cushion this time, Stuart Bingham. He has Judd

Trump in a bit of trouble here. Not a bad shot wide Judd Trump. He

has dangerously gone close to the corner pocket. It did not look like

he could play that shot. He took a bit risk, but he has given Stuart

Bingham a shock to nothing. The red below the pink. The cue ball will

come down towards the blue. Excellent execution of a shot you

think. It is going awkward for both players

at the moment. They cannot seem to get perfect position.

Can he get the position on this one red below the black? He could do

with finishing close to it to make it easier to get onto the black for

the next shot. I think he can screw back directly from the green and

come off one, maybe two cushions, get onto the red. He is blessed with

a lot of key power. He has played the direct screw, this looks OK. But

another two inches would have been perfect.

That was not easy. And at pace, trying to go down for the blue. They

have no chance when it hits the near jaw. Judd Trump has not played the

best shot ever there, it has gone in the right jaw. He stunned instead of

dragging back a couple of inches. It is awkward to play the shot he is

looking at. He would love to go in and out, between the yellow and

brown. He will have to go between brown and green, I think. That is

what he has played. How is his luck? Not very good. Still a great shot. A

brilliant effort. It really was a great effort.

Court that one little bit too thick. Again, he has left a pot on, either

the cut into the middle or the stunned into the corner.

Anywhere but there, unless the blue passes I cannot see him taking the

pot on here. He can see the pink, just, but cannot get close to the

red to make it easy. Just enough room on the pink to come off two

cushions, but he would finish two feet away from the red. Is it worth

taking the green? He is a good player with the rest.

Even if he gets on the red, it is not easy. I am dumbfounded he has

even tried to play that. Even if he gets perfect on the red, he is under

all kinds of pressure to drop it in to make the pot. He is in the

driving seat in this frame. A strange choice of shot.

It is not easy to get this safe either, because if he tries to push

it up and down the table, he will push it towards a pocket, but if he

plays it thin, he has to make sure he does not knock it into a portable

position, which he may have done. What a little nudge that is.

You see how much side he had on the cue ball firm. It pinged off the

cushion. He has played that very well. That

could have gone wrong, if he had kissed into the back of the brown.

Barring a catastrophe, it looks like Judd Trump will level this match up.

This brown... Stuart Bingham knows he has had a couple of chances to

extend his lead to two. This has got the final frame all over it.

You would have to say it is another frame that has been a little bit

scrappy, a lot of pressure out there. Judd Trump will probably be

feeling the better out of the two. A couple of exhibition shots.

The black does not go in, but Stuart Bingham is leaving the room to

gather his thoughts. He knows he had a chance to extend his lead, but

Judd Trump draws level. All square again. You would still be

brave to call this one. We still possibly have three frames left.

Regardless of what happens tonight, Judd Trump will move up to third.

John Higgins goes down to sixth. Mark Williams hanging onto his place

in the top 16. He went out in the first round, a really disappointing

week. He is hoping to hold onto his spot ahead of the World

Championships. We talked about this earlier, the fact that the top 16

qualify automatically, everybody else has to go through three

qualifying rounds. Yes, it happened last year, with Ding Junhui, the

great player from China, one of the greatest, he has won five ranking

events in one season, he finished number 17, he had to win three

matches to qualify, and it is tough. And a few days later, you have to

actually play at the Crucible, so you are already jaded by the time

you get there. A nervous couple of months for Mark Williams. Let's look

at a bit of analysis. It is still difficult to know who will be

picking up the trophy in an hour, two hours, who knows! A bit of

fortune for Judd Trump in this one. In the previous frame he was

unfortunate with an enough, he put the remaining red into baulk. Here,

he gets a bit fortunate. The bump on the middle pocket was butcher it is,

because it made the last red more missable. As it was, it goes on

behind the blue. Stuart escapes from the easy snooker, but he puts the

red in the yellow pocket, and Judd Trump clears up. It is a seesaw.

There has not been a 30 break in the last three frames, so if anybody can

get their potting boots on, they can take it by the scruff of the neck.

Get your potting boots on! Who has got them on?

Judd Trump has them on on the long shots, but when he gets in, he is

not winning the frame in one visit. And nor is Stuart now. No breaks of

any strength in the last three games. There has not been a 40 break

in the last three games, very bits and pieces.

Another long pop. There has not been a break over 30 in the last three

frames, that is how scrappy it has been. A little unlucky not to have

some sort of shot on the blue or pink. Again, the safety is not

straightforward, with the red being in baulk. He has to cover it with

the yellow. You do not want to put the thing out

of commission, you would like to leave it in play. I thought it had

hit the yellow then for a minute. Yes, I think he did as well. As it

is, it is not bad. He has forced Stuart Bingham into an attempt at

the left corner. He will definitely play it if you can find the gap. He

might feel it is too much of a risk at this stage of the match. He is

faced with a very tricky safety as well. He could play the red that is

nearest to the right corner and drop it in, or just played off the two

cushions, leave the white there. He went for it wholeheartedly. The

trouble is, even if he had made it, I do not think the pink or black

went. Again, Judd Trump has lost the cue

ball. It has become a little bit of a scrappy affair.

He is one of those players that likes all of the big balls in play.

He might like to bring pink and black into play. I was surprised he

did not play to nudge the pink or black of the first red, rather than

go up for the blue. Pink and black are now available. But he might have

liked a bigger gap than that. He would have got away with that.

But I think this red is onto the right centre. Not an easy starter.

No problems, though, and he is nicely on the blue. We are going to

have a player when a frame in one visit. It has not happened all

evening. But these balls are spread far and wide. A great chance here

for Stuart to score a frame-winning break. A lot of players may have

rolled it into the middle, but Stuart punched it in and finished

perfect on the blue. He would like to take the pink out

of the way, could's because it is stopping the black potting into the

corner. Judd Trump realises he could in a few minutes' time be one down

with two to play. He looks to have the angle on the

black to play for the red into the same pocket. He has got a nice

angle. That is what he has played for. He

could do with being fairly straight, and he is not. Work to do. If he

screws it in, I did not know if he can avoid the kiss on the red that

is loose. If he runs through, he will force reds all over the place,

so he will not guarantee where the White will finish. Not ideal. Just

has too avoid the kiss on the red above the white. Which he has not

done. This is a lot more tricky than it should be.

That is one of the better shots he has played for a couple of frames.

Was not easy, begin down, playing with bottom right-hand side.

He has got to get the pink out of the way. Still has a couple of loose

reds. He played the deep screw to disturb

the reds, he was not happy with that. You could see his reaction. He

did not need to do that. Just did not quite get into the cue ball

enough. Excellent recovery. The cue ball has

travelled a fraction too far, but this is one of those where if you

are confident, you put the black and flick off the outside of the pack. I

think he will roll this in and avoid the inn off. Well played.

He felt he was hitting it thin rather than thick.

The magnificent arena, the crowds have been excellent all week. A

little disappointed in terms of brick building in this match, but it

has lots of tension, both players are feeling it out there.

He would have been better off getting a red safe. But once again,

the white nowhere near the baulk cushion. When you are playing Judd

Trump, you need to get near the cushion possible, because the reds

disappear more often than not. If you are chewing Indian hoping to

watch Dragons Den, that will follow our coverage of the final. Dragons

Den is delayed. Still waiting to see who will be given the cheque for

?70,000 here in Cardiff. Stuart will be distraught at the

last safety shot he played. He looked bemused, the way he played

it. He was not expecting to make contact with the pack, and he was

expecting the cue ball to finish near the baulk cushion. Both things

went wrong. Maybe it is Stuart Bingham's turn to lose a frame from

40 points in front. This was the shot from Stuart.

Obviously, he's trying to get a good cue ball. The bad thing is, the

white is nowhere near the cushion. He's thinking, I might as well of

her other shot at the red into the other pocket. If it had gone in,

probably would have sprung the frame. But has made sure this time

he's the right side of the blue. If this goes right... He could be

pinching this frame. And it hasn't. The cue ball as stock. He just hit

the one red a little bit full in the face. He could have done with it

half-ball and been able to come away from the cluster.

Both players are feeling it's no. -- both players are feeling it now.

He has pulled some gestures in the last couple of frames, Stuart. A

little bit of frustration starting to show. It's not what Judd played.

He IS on this black. I think he's one of the few players

who would have the guts to play that shot at this stage of the match.

Both players are struggling to play the screw back shot. Left himself

hampered during. Cued it nicely. And he has become

favourite to be one up with two to play. A few moments ago, we were

saying exactly the same thing when Stuart Bingham was at the table.

This, the key shot - how close can he get to this red to make it easy?

Tried to get really close, and he may have over-screwed it a little

bit. This is not as easy as it looks on the TV. He would have been a

strong favourite to pot it. Still should pot it, but not

straightforward. And there you see why. It's amazing what you can miss

under pressure. But that was not about shot, it was the shot before,

where he over-screwed the black. And obviously, this is not easy. The

red to the right centre. He will be over the moon that he has got this

opportunity at this red. Judd Trump has just not been able to get in

front of Stuart Hunter liked. Every time he draws level, something

happens, he goes one behind. And in goes the red. He's not quite on this

brown in the way he's like. He might be able to run through with

left-hand side. The only problem is, the green could

go safe. Where will the greens and up? Well, he's played it quite

nicely, but unfortunately for him, not nicely on the yellow. I think

he'll be playing the snooker. He wanted to keep the yellow in

play. You would have preferred that yellow to be in between the pink and

black area. Looking at it, it is hard to hit. Green in the way one

way, blue in the way the other way. I think he will have to play this

two cushions. The only trouble is, then, Darren, leave the advantage to

Stuart, to play the snooker in behind the black. It's very tricky.

Yes, I think Judd Trump would be quite happy with that, if he hits

the yellow leaves that shot on. This is very, very tricky. He doesn't

want to be giving too many points away at this stage in the frame, but

this is really tricky. We could see him giving away quite a few points.

Yes, he's having to play off two cushions. Very well played.

Excellent. And he has not left the chance to end up behind the black.

Yes. He could have missed that four or five times. As it happens, that's

about as good as he could have hoped for.

It's amazing how Stuart lost the advantage with that excellent safety

shot he played on the yellow. You would have to suggest, whoever pots

the yellow is going to win this frame and go one up with two to

play. Who will it be? Nearly got in behind the pink. I

think we'll see Judd Trump definitely playing this yellow in

the left corner. He could play it with loads of bottom and right-hand

side, slow drag, or he can play it with pace.

He needs to slide past the pink... And his body language is saying he

has snookered himself. Either that or he can't get to the porting angle

of the green. It's amazing what can happen in the game of snooker, isn't

it? Plays your shot, tries to hold it. The table is so fast, it's hard

to hold the ball at distance. In the olden days, on a thicker cloth, you

could play it and finish somewhere near the blue spot. These days, it's

very easy to lose the white, which he has done there. Where is this

going to end up? Good shot. To be honest, it has not been the

final I expected. He has left this on. Saying that, Judd is thinking it

might have gone a bit past the porting angle there. From our

position, it looks cuttable. Yes, it is a thin one, isn't it? No

control over the cue ball, that's for sure. One of those, you have to

hit it hard, because then you avoid the in-off. Well played. And

absolutely perfect on the brown. Amazing. But he will need all his

cue power here to get nicely on the blue.

It's amazing, another inch of pace, it would have been a straightforward

blue. Still needs the pink, though. It's there.

Stuart Bingham started this frame with a break of 41. You can see what

that meant to Judd Trump. He has gone into the lead for the very

first time in the match. He's now one away from victory.

Quite astonishing, isn't it? Considering that Stuart Bingham led

4-0 early in this match. But we can see what that meant to Trump, taking

the lead for the first time, what a relief that must be? Yes. These last

four frames have thrown up all kinds of eccentricities, if you will.

Interestingly, there's been two breaks over 30 in the last five

frames, both of 41. So it shows, there's a lot of tactics, a lot of

missed pots, but finally, after hours of trying, Judd Trump take the

lead in the final furlong. Can he finish it off now what? I don't

know, I wish I could tell you! How hard was it to play this? I can

assure you, Judd did not intend to play this quite so thin. He would

not have known he could have finished so nicely on the brown,

that was more hope than judgment, I feel. He played a pretty good brown,

I have to say. Fortunately the Judd, that cue ball just ran those extra

few inches to leave the green on. Now, you would have to be backing

Judd Trump? Would UCAS can you tell me! That was a really big setback

for Stuart Bingham? Yes, it was. But maybe the pressure will now transfer

to Judd. He has not won on home soil for about six years. There is a lot

of pressure on both of them. Will it come down to the run of the ball,

who knows? Judd is in the driving seat, but there is now pressure on

him, and maybe Stuart Bingham can relax a bit. Keeping Stuart Bingham

waiting just a bit longer. Drug instead will follow our coverage of

the snooker here in Cardiff. -- Dragons' Den will follow. Stuart

Bingham will be disappointed. He has lost those last few frames lately.

Bring -- Stuart Bingham to break, then. Is there another twist in this

magnificent 2017 final? What a green that was. He could try

that 50 times again and not finish on that brown is good. And he slots

in another long red. I've said it all week - his long potting has been

unbelievable. And all of a sudden, he has struggled to score all week -

could this be the frame that he finds his scoring? The one that he

needs to win this year's Welsh Open? And as I've said that, he's a good

foot short with the cue ball. You could see him talking the end of his

cue tip very aggressively. And looking at this, he will do well to

miss the case on the black - that's why he's playing with bottom, trying

to make something happen. And it hasn't. The only problem for him is,

he has put both black and pink out of commission. This is a similar

shot to what begins played years ago, where he screwed it in and came

back into the middle of the table, but it's very risky playing it over

the pack of reds. He's playing it, though. That blue is not in. Neither

player has played great this evening, it's been a little bit of a

struggle out there. Even if that blue had gone in, Judd

had left himself horrible on this red.

He's just going to roll the red, there is no value for me in this.

He's going to play safe. But that could have gone wrong. At least he

can bring a peak colour back into play. I think on reflection, we

probably deserve an 8-8, don't we? That would be nice - not for the

players. He can play an aggressive shot here,

to bring the black into play and get the cue ball as tight in behind the

green and blue as possible. How is the cue ball...? Not quite.

He's caught that a little bit thicker than he would have liked. No

damage done, though. I say no damage done, what a clever

shot he's played there. That was very well thought out. Absolutely.

He's looking at the potting angle, to see whether he can pinch a little

bit of the pocket. I thought the brown would have been a better

choice there. Safety shortcomings. -- safety shot coming. You have to

say, he deserves more than six Riise that fantastic red Henoch in. --

more than six off that fantastic red he knocked in. Neither of these two

have played anywhere near their best. Just past five hours of play.

And we still don't know who is going to win.

He can just see the edge of this red. Can get back to the baulk area?

Just played what he thought was a short to nothing. He may be able to

get through the gap to cut that red in. If it is printable, he'll take

it on. There's someone at the moment having a bit of a coughing fit in

the arena. She has stood up and composed herself. And that red has

done everything but go in the pocket. And I don't think the blue

is going to come to his rescue. Well, everybody's coughing now. They

have started a trend out there. Pink and black out of commission, so Judd

Trump will not expect Stuart to school too heavily. That's pretty

good. Ideally he would like to get onto the middle of the three reds

surrounding the black. He needs that black back in play if he's to have

aspirations levelling at this visit. Another two inches of pace, he could

have played the middle red of those three. You can just see, just a

fraction away from being on it. Well, he feels he can still play it.

What an effort that was. I've not to be honest, a little unlucky. Look at

the side he has played that with to make pot.

Another inch, there would have been no problem, he could have just

screwed into the pack and played for the loose red. He could lose the

white here... That was the problem, always going to lose the white

playing it that way. He has actually left himself a with

a tricky safety. The black back on its spot, you feel

if he had been lucky there and got on something, that could have been

the end of this frame. Got to be careful here.

He's looking to get the cue ball down in the baulk area. Needs the

white to be good... And it is. Stuart is having a look to see if

the red near the pink spot goes into the corner. I think it's very, very

tight, it would be a big ask. Can play it as a shot to nothing,

though. Just got to miss the jaw of the middle pocket. That was close.

Stuart has got to make sure he finds the baulk cushion here. This could

be end of frame and match. This is the tempter that Judd's been waiting

for. He just pots so many long balls -

can he score heavily for the first time this evening and get past the

winning line? Now, normally you would suggest the next five reds and

colours are pretty straightforward, but not in this situation, the way

they're both playing. There is her girlfriend, looking on.

She knows this is a chance for him to win frame and match.

The black will take him in front. He needs all the remaining reds. Three

of them are not in favourable positions. This is the first break

above 30 since frame 11. Can you believe that, with these players?

That is for Judd Trump, I mean. Anything but straight here, Stuart

Bingham knows he will possibly get back onto the table.

He will play for the red in baulk next. That red is no problem. Can

you believe it? You just do something would happen, the way

things have gone. They are not easy across the

cushion. Gave it every chance, played at the right pace. I am sure

Stuart Bingham was thinking the championship was all over. All of a

sudden, he has got another chance. Albeit not a great one. Still a lot

of work to be done. Played that really well, and he has

a nice angle on the blue to bring the red into play.

Not enough cheque side. Will he attempt the pot? I think he will and

run through to the black. This is to stay in the match or possibly lose

it. Did not play the pot. Why did he not

play the pot? He has lost the cue ball, but what a

horrific long pot. -- terrific. He has left himself... A very positive

player. He has a brown into the centre, which is horrible, but if it

was to go in, it would guarantee him the tournament. But surely he would

play safe. He would just roll onto the green, wouldn't he?

If he plays the brown, I would be amazed.

Stuart would hit the yellow, you would think, but surely he has to

roll up to the green. I don't believe this. I thought he was!

Played a very good safety shot, as it happens. Nothing wrong with that

at all. Why he risked it, I don't know, because surely rolling onto

the green would have been easier. A quirky one now. Does he put him

back in? If he gets the right angle coming out of the snooker, he could

stick the white behind the brown. He has elected to put him back in.

Trying to come off the baulk cushion, catch it half ball, in

behind the brown. Just making sure the balls are put on the right

place. You could see where the tip of the

cue was on that last shot. He will still play one cushion. He needs to

hit it thin, get plenty of distance between cue ball and object ball.

That is as good as anything. That is a bit of good fortune.

That looks to be a yellow ball game. Judd Trump to win it, Stuart Bingham

to stay in it. That is pretty good. The only thing that could go wrong

the yellow make contact with the black. I am not sure if he has

played it hard enough. A poor safety shot. Has he got the cover? He

certainly has. That is fortunate, as he did not play that at all well.

Similar scenario, you can stun it round... He did not want to kiss the

black. Without the kiss on the black, he would have been snookered.

Stuart Bingham at the minute is in control of this little mini safety

battle. But there is a lot of tension out there. Everything must

be looking hard to both players. He is having a little book. The

black is close to the corner pocket. He is a bit far away... That is what

he played. But it is a great shot. If someone would have told me the

highest break in this session would have been 63, I would not have

believed them, but it shows how much winning the Welsh Open means to both

of them. They are both cueing all right, just cannot seem to score.

That is an excellent safety shot. If the yellow makes contact with the

brown on the way back, he could stick the yellow over the middle.

Played this nicely. Very good. Played it well.

He has pushed the brown close to the cushion.

Did not fancy playing it the aggressive way. I thought he may

have played it more confidently. He is worried about where the yellow

will end up. He has to be worried that the yellow

does not career into the green. You cannot impart any back spin. He

is just playing the yellow up and down.

That is as good as he could have done, I think.

That is a real error. I do not think Stuart will have these put back,

because the awkward pink is now off the side cushion. It is a ball that

both players will now need. He could hit the ball -- the yellow from

behind and send it up towards pink and green.

A little unlucky, he played it nicely. Will he knock the yellow in

and play the cannon onto the brown? If he takes the pot on, that is what

people think. It is not an easy safety shot, he may have to play the

pot. The double is dangerous, but if he

gets it, he would be nicely on the green.

Very straightforward to play white behind the green as well. He

overheated. Both players are really struggling at the moment.

A great bout of safety play. Neither player giving an inch.

It is nice to see breaks made and fantastic pots, but it is nice to

see the tactical side sometimes. It shows how much this game means to

both players. He has played a very good shot there, he has used the

green assay buffer. The only downside is the green has gone onto

the side cushion. I think the brown has just come to

block it getting through to the yellow. We might see him do a

swerve. That was the problem. Judd Trump was very fortunate then. He

will do well to win this game and match with this effort. Is it a free

ball or can he hit both sides of the yellow? I know it is risky, but he

could take the free Paul black and bring the green into play. But no

free ball. He tried to lock the cue ball and

get close to the green. Now this is really tough. He will have to play

the part, there is no easy safety shot.

He could not get a good cue ball. Still plenty of snooker left in this

frame at this moment in time. He tried to be clever and getting

behind the brown. The green has just gone far enough.

He has played it well. Some great safety played in this frame.

Not great overall, that stuck, but in this frame the percentage would

have been around 90% each. But overall it is quite low.

He has not made the green safe. Virtually impossible to get onto the

brown. I don't see the value in taking the green on. The middle

pocket is too thin. In the corner, it is not an easy part.

I don't blame him for refusing the pot. It a clever shot.

It will squeeze in off the black, but it is far too dangerous. He

cannot hit it thin enough to miss the kiss of the blue, so he may hit

a power stun and force it in off the black. If he plays it slow, he will

not get it, but the harder he plays it, the more chance he has. He

decided he cannot pot it. It is not easy to get safe. If he plays the

green up and down, he has to get it tight to the baulk cushion. He might

have to play the pot. He cannot avoid the kiss on the

blue. If he plays it up and down, the greenhouse to finish the baulk

cushion. What a clever shot. Well played.

Very, very good. Has not quite caught that right. I

think you can go for this green and just missed the pink. He just have

to make sure he does not get too much of the cue ball. It will be a

stun with left-hand side. It will be tight to cannon into the pink.

That was the only trouble with that shot. He wants brown and blue. Will

he think it is worth a risk on the double, leave a long blue? Or a good

safety? You can tell he is itching to play

the double, but it does not look to be the right shot.

I never thought we would be here at 11pm with this match still going on.

These two attacking players have really struggled in the

break-building department, every frame has taken over 20 minutes this

evening. The last -- this is 37 and counting. Did not expect that from

these two great players. It shows how much this tournament means to

them. They are playing for the trophy, not for money. Very

dangerous to play it towards the corner pocket, but he has played it

well. It was a great hit, but he has left

the brown. It is not easy. Mid distance.

He could play the run-through of the baulk cushion, or with power of two

cushions. I don't think he will be able to

move the pink, but he will be able to put the blue and leave himself a

nice angle is a double for the pink into right centre. It is all about

the blue. He has got the right side, so he can play the pink as a shock

to nothing. There is the pink. The black is over

the whole. You have not got to get to work to

early tomorrow, I hope! People are saying on social media they want to

get to bed, but they are gripped. If this one of the great Welsh Open

finals? My fiance has got to drive to work after this! It is a

fantastic match. It shows you do not have to see centuries, frame-winning

breaks. There has hardly been any 40 breaks, it just shows, even though

these frames are averaging 30 minutes, it is gripping stuff. I am

a professional player, I have played for 25 years, I am enthralled. This

was a wonderful clearance from Stuart Bingham at the end.

The brown was a good one. If he had pleaded with any more pace, it would

have been less comfortable. He knows that if he can part the blue, and

get a double on the pink, the black is waiting. If the blue wobbles...

That was a great pressure pot. He knows if the double does not go in,

it could cost him the championship. You will see the fist pump, he knows

the pink is approaching the pocket. The black is waiting for him, and it

is 8-8. He clears up with the black. It was a wonderful clearance,

bearing in mind that Judd Trump was potentially close to seeing this

match out and lifting the trophy. The colours the way they were, for

quite a while the brown was awkwardly positioned, and then the

pink became dislodged, the brown seemed to be the frame and match

ball. Both had a couple of chances in the final frame. But now, 8-8,

who is your money on? That is a difficult question to answer.

Dragons Den will follow our coverage of an absolutely absorbing 2017

Welsh Open. A final handshake, we are into the final frame. What will

happen? Anyone's guess. I cannot agree anymore. He has left

a shock to nothing on, so he has not broken off early. Is this the time

for Stuart Bingham to knock in a long one? Plenty of room around the

back of the black stop the only problem is the red to the right of

the pink, he does not want to cannon into that.

It has been one of those games. Some fabulous long pots, but neither of

them could get onto a colour. This has got a black ball game written

all over it. That was a nervy one. He wants to

play the stun shot. His long game, we keep saying it,

unbelievable. How many long pots he has knocked in, but not managed to

win frames from them. This is a chance to get A40 point lid, and

normally you would say that is not enough, but the way they're playing