Day 6 Snooker: World Championship

Welcome to the Crucible Theatre. Some top seeds have crashed out

already. Today the second round get under way, but there are still two

places up for grabs. Neil Robertson has yet to book his place in the

We are looking forward to seeing Neil Robertson take on Robert

Milkins. It is packed to the rafters here today and here is what

is coming up. He won the world title three years ago, but Neil

Robertson only made the quarter- finals last year. He is the only

top four C not into the second round yet. He is 5-4 up against

Robert Milkins. They play to have finished this afternoon. This

second round gets under way with Shaun Murphy taking on Graeme Dott.

That is on Table 1. Graeme Dott has made the headlines this week in the

debate over slow play. We will ask if there should be a shotclock.

Steve Davis continues our look at their history of snooker. Today it

is the turn of the tables. So, plenty to look forward to this

afternoon. The match we are focusing on his Dale Robertson

about -- against Robert Milkins. Can the man they called the milkman

delivered this afternoon? A couple of years ago I had a few years when

I disrespected the game. In the end, it probably cost me four or five

years. I was virtually homeless. I had nothing. I had to knuckle down.

I was really lucky because I had a couple of really good friends are

rightly. I met a girl at the same time and she helped me out. I met

my manager. He has been brilliant as well. A combination of the few

things turned my life around. There was a lot of times when I felt like

giving up. It was silly, really. I knew that I was good enough to win

a tournament, even when I was going through a bad spell. It has taken

me a couple of years to get back on track. I have started knuckling

down. I have got to nice young kids and they have taken the pressure

off, because they come first, not snooker. I have started performing.

Like a lot of the players have. A lot of the players that they have

got older, their games have matured and they have started to play well.

I wouldn't turn it around. I have done what I have done. I just look

forward to the future and I want to try and win a tournament. But there

That was a stunning long shot. Not happy.

Robert Milkins never had a chance in that frame.

A tester of a blue. Robert Milkins shakes his head.

Neil Robertson did what he had to do, and make a good start. Robert

That was an excellent pot on the pink, and that gets him a frame

That was a fabulous shot. When he was under threat, he just changed

years. Will 143 be enough? An Robert Milkins has closed the gap.

He trails by two frames now at 5-3. They handshake will come. Neil

Robertson waves to the crowd, but he will be disappointed to only be

leading by a 5-4. A I will be enjoying the company of

John Parrott. In the context of this match, how important was it

that Robert Milkins got those two frames in the final session? To win

the last two frames is massive for him. Make no mistake, the

Australian is in a match today. What I find fascinating in that

interview was that he was so honest. He seems to have overcome his

issues. K E is improving all the time. I always thought he was a

great break-builder and a good potter. He has been improving. When

he can score quickly, the scoreline will change quickly. Neil Robertson

got off to a flyer. How impressed Riggi yesterday with his

temperament? Back goes without question. Today he has to start

again and really focus. This is a dangerous opponent today. I was in

the practice run a few minutes ago and he is putting well. He looks

remarkably relaxed. What is it like when you are former world champion

and you are not in the second drawing jet and you're still

involved in a tussle? It is horrible. John Higgins has gone

home, Mark Allen, Stephen Maguire, it is not nice to go home. Hard you

conscious of bats when the top players are falling? You tell

everybody you're not, but you are. Well, with Terry Griffiths and

Dennis Taylor is Ken Doherty. A I am delighted to be joined by

two former world champions. Terry, you have been at his corner with

Robert Milkins, what have you been saying to him? He played very well

to come back yesterday. Robert Milkins is the kind of player who

can reach great heights, but he has been known to go walkabout for a

few frames. He is a tremendous player. No matter how many time to

play here, the first round can be a banana skin. He certainly can be.

You feel the World Championship really start in the second rounds.

He looks really well. He hasn't won it since 2010. Neil Robertson wants

another world title. The crowd are ready, the players are ready and so

is RMC, Rob Walker. Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. We are

cranking up the drama here. Just two places left in the second round,

which also gets under way today. Papac does here at the Crucible.

The stage is set with three world champions. Please welcome a player

who sometimes doesn't gets the respect his achievements deserve.

He has contested three up and act - - last nine world finals. Bidding

for a fit Crucible quarter-final, be only Scottish person left in the

His opponent, also a world champion in 2005, this man is a class act on

and off the table. Producing an excellent second session in the

first round, he also won the UK title in 2000 inmates. One of the

most consistent players, ready to make an impact once again, he is

Here on Table two, please welcome a player making his first appearance

for eight years. Producing some of the best snooker of his career in

the last two years. He won the last two frames yesterday and he is

right back in the hunt. He likes his cider, but we call him the

MUSIC: "I Am A Cider Drinker" by Please welcome one of the best long

potters in the game. He came over from Australia a decade ago with

hardly a penny in his pocket. Winner here in 2010, he has offered

to buy a pint for every Australian who comes to support him in

Sheffield this year. Winner of the China Open this month, he is the

thunder from Down Under, he is Neil MUSIC: "Heart Of Courage" by Two

So, live coverage. If you want Shaun Murphy against Graeme Dott in

the second rounds, the first of three sessions, hit your red button

now. We're concentrating on this fascinating first-round match. Let

me hang due to our dynamic duo, Dennis Taylor and Terry Griffiths.

VENICE: What a fabulous atmosphere again at the Crucible. While the

players got terrific receptions. Robert Milkins with his walk on

music had the crowd clapping here. You think they ever get the cue

Did you can get a little bit sticky I t when the conditions are fairly

Neil Robertson gets the tenth frame under way. He looked very

impressive. That little file is just to make sure the tip of the

cue doesn't get too shiny. He played very well yesterday. He had

a magnificent 143, which is the contender for the high break. We

have had three breaks over 140. Judd Trump had a magnificent break

of 142. That was superseded by Neil Robert Milkins will be very pleased

with the 5-4 results. You never know when you get up in the morning

and you face a session in the Crucible how you're going to feel.

His thoughts will be dominated by how many frames he wins today.

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Could we see an early Neil Robert Milkins has the safety game

to hold Neil Robertson. He didn't score as heavily as him yesterday,

though. He did make any 88, that There is deceit the success rate,

so Robert is well ahead of Neil Robertson in that department. He

might lose a percentage for that safety shot! He has not left

anything on, I think. She has a choice, he could put it back, which

she has. He could have made him play it from where the cue ball had

finished. Not a difficult shot. He just doesn't want to hit it thickly,

that is all. He has hit it too thickly this time, but he got a

result because it's went round the other side of the blue. He will

take that. He might have a patch round the bat -- round the back of

the black here that is near us to He did not fancy trying to swing it

around the ankles in case he called There is an indication of the fact

One good positional shot here and he has a decent opportunity. Robert

is pushing for a top 16 spots. He is pushing very close. He plays at

the south-west snooker academy at Gloucester. I think that opening up

there has helped him with it career he has had in the last few years.

You go down there wanted was a month don't you, Terry? Yes. I do

some coaching there and a few other things. I go around some schools

and different things. Am really enjoying it. Polmont is the man

there you put it all together. -- Paul mounts. The way the reds are

situated, things should improve the problem. He looks so good when he

is amongst the balls. He is so fluent. The pink looks like it is

available, so he has a straight red He has a swagger about him, Robert.

He always has when he is walking wounded table. He fancies the job,

and here I am, mate! If you don't have any confidence, there is no

point playing this game, I can tell He does have a habit of just

shaking his head every now and again. He just went a little bit

further than he intended there. Been straighter on the plea would

have been ideal. He is reluctant to play a little cannon here and messy

slips out of position. He could I thought he would hate them a

little bit harder than that. It was the right idea, but he needed to

hit it a little bit firmer. That will be disappointing. This will be

thing, this one. That is a great recovery shot! Especially when he

He can't quite get the cue ball under control at the moment. He has

stopped short of his intended position. You have to rely on your

instincts for the feel of the shot. Sometimes it doesn't come. Perhaps

he is a little bit tense. It is the A well, well, well. It looked in.

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He has left that on. This a good I think he's just OK. He almost put

himself out of position, but he has Those for reds were just blocking

themselves into the corner pocket, so he might play a cannon on to the

one between the black and the pink. They seem to be covering each other.

Now everything is in the open. Just the one sea of red. -- see it read.

There are five Easy reds, but he will need that difficult red to

His break-building has improved in the last few years. He is a really

strong favourite to win here this All you have to do is to cut his

statistics. He has had 44 centuries this season, 54 centuries last

I think Judd Trump had 54 as well. His safety is brilliant, his

temperament is brilliant. He was just debating their whether or not

to bring that difficult read into play. It is always risky to play

He has lots of options. He is already concerned about that

Those two reds are perfectly placed to bring the difficult one into

play. He is the type of player that wouldn't be bothered, his putting

is so good. He always has been an exceptional potter. Over the years

he has added a lot more to his game Well, I'm surprised he played back

for the blue. Why did he have to hit it that harder? He could have

played for the black or the pink, but he decided to come back for the

blue and hit it very hard. What a reprieve for Robert. He was trying

to lead an ankle on the black to cannon out that typical red. He is

to straight on the black. So, a So, a little bit of tension in this

opening frame. It is such an important frame. To get back all

square, he had the chance there. Two unexpected misses, one from

each player. Robert did not look at the pink. The pink was just a

natural roll in any would have definitely been on that red into

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That was a pretty good shot from I can see why he played that shot,

but it does leave the possibility I am not sure if he can hit this

red, he might be able to catch the edge of it. If he plays the safety

This was the black that Robert played. He did not even look at the

pink. He never even then gave it a He was close to the brown. He felt

he could see enough of it. Worth the risk along the cushion here? If

the red goes in then he can put He did not play the best safety, I

was with you there. I thought he could have played for the blue or

brown or the yellow. But out there you get different thoughts. Some

people like that had. -- shot and Knocking that green safe has

changed the complexion of this He is going to try and land on this

red near the cushion. Not a lot else he can play, he could not risk

Just a little delicate one to come He played that so well, he hasn't

left and shot four or Robert Sometimes you have just got to keep

the ball safe in Asif do shot, it is not always trying to get it safe

It is always difficult for the players when the reds are earth

were they are now. He has to be The he did not want that kiss. Is

Robert to up to it? He has just spotted something on the cue ball

The referee from Alton is just making sure it is nice and clean.

He certainly did. Good cueing there. If he tries to get close to the red,

he had to go round the angles. There he goes. This looks pretty

good. Not quite as he intended, but This first frame often dictates how

the match can span out. The players He might be able to swerve around

that, and if he does swerve around He has played the safety shot, so

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There is a chance to get behind I do not understand why he played

it that way. Perhaps he just mishit Well, he will have to play the

snooker now. And bring the green into a better position. He is

looking at the St blue. -- the He chaired the scoreboard, he was

four in front. Now if Neil Robertson gets a chance, he will

The if that had gone in, what a What you would call, half in the

Could have been worse for Robert Milkins there. I am not sure if

Neil can play this shot into the centre, over the brown and to in

the way. He is a very good shot maker, a very strong player towards

Clever shot there. He has brought the pink back into play and he has

I don't think he played the snooker, he just played the cannon. He was

hoping to get the yellow between He will be in trouble with that

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I think he can get enough side on The last time he had a shock like

this, he pushed the red it over the In that situation you have got to

make sure you keep the object ball He caught but a little bit thin. He

was trying to push the yellow away from the pocket a little bit.

wondering if you can miss the through and come back towards the

It has not bounced enough. He will have to come back up towards the

A little thin one, but once again That was not the best safety shot I

have ever seen from Neil Robertson. The robber to is a dynamic potter

The that is pretty clever because that pink is blocking the pocket.

He has got a good safety game, as Terry was saying at the start of

the frame. Affray which has been going for just over 32 minutes. --

a frame. They are both good safety players, that is why the frame is

going 32 minutes! Almost a chance he could get in behind the pink, if

the white had been a little further He would have to leave the greener

Worth a try, but he overhit it Most of the frames have been fairly

quiet, a couple of slow ones. He did not get into that. He did not

He will automatically finish on the ground -- on the brown if he takes

a chance. It will be a frame weather. That is what he is

thinking about. Make your mind at Once again, he thought long and

hard and decided not to risk of the Already the longest frame of the

match so far, coming up to 35 He is just looking to see if he

could hit it from behind, when you're playing that sort of shot

you can always send the green up And that is what he has done. He

might be able to take the pot on and cannon of brown. If the pot

goes and, it looks to be a natural to cannon into the ground. -- into

the brown. He has gone for the safety and he has hit it a little

too full. Can Neil Robertson get If you played at the normal way

with top spin he may collide into That is exactly the reason he

refused to pot. But he has played a good safety here. Neil having a

glance up at the monitor to see if They are not giving an inch in the

safety belt. -- bout. It looked like the for him would be open

quickly, and then Robert made a mistake and Neil came back with a

44 Greek and it is a fascinating Everything went wrong with that

shot. And if it is a full ball snooker he can put him back in

again. The black is there for the It wobbled and it is going to be

awkward. He did not pot the black cleanly. So, it is all happening.

If he tries to drop this in he can cover the green with the brown

He has more of the cover. -- he has That was a good shot, very well

controlled. It looks to be a full ball snooker. He cannot get in

behind the green, it is too close to the cushion. He may have to come

off the side cushion and hope for a little run of the ball. All he can

do is hit it and hope for the best. That is OK, he will settle for that.

This is quite an exciting opening It looked for one second like it

was going to go past the brown, then it went behind it. Still, a

He got away with that, but he could Did he hit it hard enough? Well,

the pink has no could him, so in behind the black would have been

even better. -- snookered him. Can he get it safer game? He needs good

fortune and they do not think he Neil Robertson could take this one

He is going to be doing one of He has plenty of options, we know

the green that will pass the blue. If he cuts the green, he might calm

and the pink, and that is what he is worried about. -- he might

He is one of the best potters in the game. And that is tight, to go

in that corner pocket. He cannot make his mind doubts. He is a good

judge of the deflection off the There's plenty of room to go past

He is certainly giving it plenty of He is back looking at it, past the

blue. It will go, if you are in behind it. If he tries and in the

corner to get on the brown and he misses it, there is always a chance

In the end, he made a complete mess of it and try to pot it past the

It has turned out not too bad for Neil Robertson. If he pots this,

the brown is only available in one corner. He refused a few pots

earlier, then suddenly goes for one of which was quite difficult and

He only needs the pink, so no problem if he gets nicely on the

You do not like losing any frames, but it is the long frames that you

want to win. From a confidence He is still a bit worried about it.

If you have to hit it with more pace, you just lose the natural

It is 61 points all. There is a possible shot on here, he could

finish on the pink. He might do He put so much into the double, he

just did not hit it hard enough to Neil, as does Robert. Where is that

cue ball? It is safe! What a frame for Robert Milkins to take! Lasted

nearly 47 minutes but didn't this Crucible crowd enjoy that? Robert

Milkins is all square with Neil Robertson and it is five each.

Well, that is the longest frame of the match so far and you were

talking about just how tense this matches. Well, we've seen it from

that frame. I can't believe how long Neil Robertson has taken on some of

those shots. It looks as though he is going a bit fuzzy upstairs. You

can see it from both players, lots of nerves going on. Normally he is a

very quick player but he took over to a half minutes on one shot. You

knew the importance of the shot itself but sometimes you can

overcomplicate things. Your first instinct is normally your best and

that's normally the best shot you play. And you can overcomplicate.

Not even on just the green, but even on the blue, he eventually Mister

blue by quite some distance, going off in the green pocket. -- missed

the blue. And then of course the blue was a fantastic shot. He took a

long time over the shot. And he has been very, very edgy, Neil

Robertson, hasn't he? Yes. He hasn't got the cue ball on the Borg rail.

Where he left it was most awkward. The harder you hit that, the wider

the angle of the ball. So he was a bit tentative and it was one of

those where sometimes you just land there, and it's hard to steal

yourself and not just play the shot. Robert hauled himself back into this

and now it is 5-5. How is he feeling? When you're playing a

player who plays the way he plays, he gets on a roll and plays faster

and faster. You could be sitting in your chair, pouring your water into

your glass and you are 50 or 60 points down before you have finished

pouring your water! Once he gets on a run it can upset the opponent

because you are thrown out of your rhythm a bit. The commentary said

Robert Milkins have this certain swagger, the way he goes around the

table choosing his shots. Yes, you've got to look confident and

feel confident and play confidently. I've seen him for a long time on the

circuit and always thought he was a good pot and breaker but there is

more to him than that. Fascinating stuff.

TERRY GRIFFITHS: Yes, on the circuit for eight years. A great practice

based now in Gloucester. At the Snooker Academy. And all of the

covered this red up to the right corner. The black is tied up. So a

bit for the former world champion playing is he doesn't mind the open

game, the scraps. He doesn't mind anything. It seems he can adapt to

whatever happens out there. Yes, that's why he was a world champion

and is one of the favourites for this year. His all-round game is

superb. Up there with the greatest potters we've ever had, if not the

dropped it in across the nap of the cloth. You wouldn't think it would

be his favourite shot but I think sometimes all pot is, the same to

blue. He will need that bunch in a leave a possible red and then bring

the black interplay. He's got a bit of angle to work with there but not

blue and there is a red to the right of the bunch available but...

There's no way he can get nicely onto it. As you can see, absolutely

really is. The potting power of this Australian... Has he got an angle on

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the back of the pack but they are pocket but that's very thin. -- one

red. Yes, those read Terry mentioned, you can find the gap and

get back down the table for those. still got back down the table. That

almost went wrong. Now, there's a big pocket here. Not whether cue

ball is sitting at the moment, but Robert will have to be careful

because the red near the pocket is in such a position that if he got a

chance, he could send in one of the good as you will get. I think he

showed in the first frame this session he could hold the safety

play of Neil Robertson, which, let's be honest, is very good, because

it's not just the safety shots. If you're long potting is as good as

your safety you will be a difficult player to beat and Robertson is up

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there with the very best in the Mind you, it's not easy to get onto

the black if he was to put the red corner, there are a couple of reds

blocking the position. He could get nicely onto the black. He might be

able to cut the one in right over much pace. Difficult to see here in

the commentary box. Plenty of room for it to pot into the right corner,

but as I say, those to reds are in moment, he's looking to play a

safety shot. Looks to me as if he could take the yellow on, and should

he pot that, a minimum of eight to ten being a left-hander. Perhaps his

philosophy at the moment is to keep things tight a little bit. He's been

here enough times, Neil Robertson, to know what it takes to win. If you

keep your opponent on the chair long enough, you will knock his

first visit. He was a long way down and came back but lost 10-7 in the

in. And he's flicked the pink. Everything turned out very nice with

up to the reds but they are all just stunned it in. Because if he

had rolled it, they would have been might not be available into that

corner. He just nudged the black black for the same pocket. He is let

a good chance slip away. Didn't get Can deserve a good kiss! That's what

Eddie Chaplin would have said. remember you for looking a few balls

and clearing the table, Terry! some of his tactical and safety

play. We know he is a great elder and potter but he has a great safety

shown why the game is going on in this session. Neil got a chance in

the last session and so did Robert. And then they started on a good

safety bout again because they are stopping each other playing, getting

another chance for a while. Not this it has. He's got some movement in

that cue ball. Very little angle on role the red like that and go off to

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the middle pocket. Wasn't unlucky lot more difficult by trying to

screw back. But he's been a little bit lucky to cover with the pink

there. He may be able to get past the cue ball, sorry, the pink to the

applause from the other table put Neil Robertson off then. But he

caught that much too thin. Now, how often would you see this in a frame?

Six left. And not one colour on its spot. And he might get a colour back

on its spot now. The black is out of commission. If he puts the pink and

gets it on its spot, he is in pretty an angle in the middle of the reds

there. He might just take the chance here of potting this and bringing

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time but if he sticks on the cushion to develop those two he might get

out of position. Just looking to see what would happen... A key shot

You're not guaranteed to be nicely on a colour. The red up to the right

of the blue would be available but was the only problem with moving the

two reds. It was Eddie Charlton who used to say, don't move the reds

when you're potting a red. Move a colour. A good risk but it didn't

is the first pot Robert Milkins has missed. When the colour has been on

its spot. And of course when he missed that pink also, he brought

the yellow into play, which was safe that and by a long way, which is a

worrying sign for Neil Robertson because it is so unlike him to miss

a pot like that by so far. So here's a little tense out there. -- so he

again! In the previous frame it was the blue he backed double to get

onto the pink. -- he did a back and pot the pink as well. Only 16 in

yesterday. But the black was on the opposite side and he stunned behind

have choices there. Well, he had a take the cart on, Terry, because

there's always a chance of going in got to be careful because you don't

want the white running around the first time, 6-5. Yes, so that the

first time in the match, Robert goes into the lead. Neil Robertson did a

real battle there. Not playing well at the mid-dash-mack at the minute.

What is he doing? He's got cue action like a laser.

When you look at the stats, his long pot success rate is only 63%.

and that is one of the strong parts of Neil's game. He may have played a

big part because now he has won four in a row. Neil Robertson looks under

pressure, very edgy with uncharacteristic misses. And even

when he's getting chances, he is not scoring like you normally does.

as you said at the top of the programme, the fact Robert Milkins

won those two sessions yesterday, that has had an influence? Yes, you

go back to your hotel as though you are in front and he has carried on

today. Neil has got to get sharper because he is in trouble today.

And Robert Milkins has never beaten Neil Robertson.

DENNIS TAYLOR: He might start off with a nice, long pot here. Ooh...

Has he got away with it? You might black. Doesn't look as if he can

don't think he was all that confident about it, because look

where he has put the cue ball. Maybe at the red by a long way. He was a

lot better at that one, wasn't he? It is so disappointing for Robert,

he played such a good long pot to get in. So easy to take the next

shot for granted, but there is no It has worked out very nice for

Neil. Guaranteed at least one red, I think Neil could do with

quickening up his pace a little bit. There has been a lot of tactical

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stuff and he has had to think long That is OK, but he is closer to the

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There are a two reds there to the left, but he has to be careful when

the pink comes back on to that spot that he does not cover the red he

He knows he is going to cannon the other red, he is just making sure

he doesn't slip out of position. He has avoided the cannon but he has

left himself the wrong side of the blue and he is looking at that red

near the middle pocket to see if he If he screws back he can get

He could not have left it any better, he just has to drop this in

He gives the impression he is in a world of his own when he is out

there, Neil. Even when he is missing balls, he does not react to

things. This is a big visit because he struggled a bit and he knows the

Robert Milkins will have to sit in his chair and stew after missing

When you have one four frames in a row, that was a bad miss. He was

putting the former world champion under a bit of pressure and he has

let him off the hook a little bit Still not putting them in the

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centre of the pocket. That one That is the frame safe. It was not

it imperative that he got nicely on the blue, but he can still take it

He has had 15 centuries so far this Not easy for a left-hander to give

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Neil Robertson will be very pleased A terrible break off from Robert

We might just seen Neil Robertson settle down now. That break he had

done the previous game at might have given him a confidence boost.

And nice little cannon here will He felt the cue ball came off too

fast. It has left him a different type of shot. He may have been

hoping to pot that red into the right hand corner and retain

position on the black, but he Mid-session interval coming up

after this frames. Can Neil Robertson get his nose back in

If you had have said before the start of the match it would be six

frames all with the former world champion and tournament favourite,

I think Robert would have taken Neil Robertson is such a good match

player. He has recognised the time Robert has not potted a ball for 12

It is a thin one. I do not think he can see enough of the pink. If he

does not fancy the blue, he will come off the side cushion and

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Hawkeye tells you there is no way Amazing what you can do on these

The black may going to the left corner pocket but it will be a

tight positional shot. The angle on He could not have finished better.

He must make sure he does not stick on that pink. He is 45 in front. It

Absolutely amazing. He has took his eye off the pot and concentrated so

much on the cannon. He cannot believe he has missed this. The

number of times you see a player do that. They forget about the pot.

Did that pink pass the blue? He will take it on, but it is a tough

He has been starved of table time for a while. Neil Robertson has

dominated for the last frame and a Very nicely played. A good chance

You play Little, many sessions when you play the long matches. There

are a couple of awkward reds to be It would have helped if the black

I think the red that is behind the black would be available into one

of the corner pockets, you would Difficult to get on it for that

pocket. But maybe the other pocket. If it does, he can pot the pink and

leave that red for the right corner. He is coming round to have a look.

He feels as though he got a bit of a bounce off the back mission here.

If he is touching the pink, the referee might have told him

technically you're hitting the pink but you cannot play away. So he has

nominated for Black. -- he has He has left himself a horrible shot

because of that bounce off the cushion. He has got to commit

Very often have done, hires his luck today? -- very optimistic, Hal

Id is a very aggressive approach to the position on the table, but he

knew if he played it successfully After moving the two reds he has

It is a little awkward here and will stop he could send the red

into the green, so it is a change He has hit the pink, that was

careless. I wonder if he will try aback double here? If it goes in,

He is not turning things down, he Look at this. Part I thought that

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

Not the best. He has hit it six. -- That is just tensions. He has got

away with that. They are always Not sure if he can get to the left-

hand side of the red. If he can, Beatty's uneasy safety shot. -- if

The normal shot here would be to Can he get enough side? Difficult

to stop the a white. But that is pretty good. Green blocking the

path from the red that Robert can see. He is faced with a very

difficult safety shot because he cannot just play off the side of

the red because he would hit the brown with the cue ball. He will

have to think long and hard about this. But it is a bit awkward. He

did well to miss the brown, where His manager told me has some sort

of knowledge of safety, his safety He was not intending to cannon into

the yellow, and he has finished perfectly on to the brown. He

needed to screw that back a little bit further. Neil is quite tall,

but I do not know if he can reach right round. That is quite a

Totally different shot when you have to use the rest and an

extension. These shots are all right when you're 17 in front, but

when they are vital, it sows the He has potters nine out of mind in

the rest, but this is the most Make it ten out of ten for Neil

Robertson. He has a nice angle on the green to get himself on to the

yellow. If he could pick the cue ball up and put it on to the pink

spot, he would love to do that. Anywhere near the pink spot and he

would be nicely on that yellow. And once again he concentrated so much

on the green, he took his eye off the pot. He is certainly feeling

the pressure out there. Well, what a golden opportunity for Robert

I'd do not think I have ever seen Neil Robertson miss so many

pressure balls. That is from this, And the easiest of pinks for Robert

He will be absolutely delighted. He goes to the mid-session interval

He will be absolutely delighted I do not know what is happening

with Neil Robertson. This is so unusual for him. You would not

expect him to miss that. I have not seen him miss so many pressure

balls. It is quite unlike him and shows you how nervous years. He is

coming in as a second favourite to Ronnie O'Sullivan. He has had a

really good season and has been consistent on the circuit. You boys

know what it is like, all week I have been hearing how difficult it

is to play out there. He has just taken his eye off the ball and

lacked that look of concentration. It is unforced errors. Have the

time it is Neil's own errors. running out of position, getting

chances and not scoring. He is probably one of the most prolific

scorers, but his scoring has been pitiful in the last four or five

frames. You have to praise Robert Milkins for hanging on in there,

suddenly he goes into this interval and he is leading. Yes, but he will

never have a better time at beating Neil Robertson. Robert Milkins has

a great opportunity. What will Neil Robertson do now? Does he go to the

practice room are his dressing room? If I was in his corner I

would say get in the practice room. He is not striking the cue ball. He

is not getting a nice reaction. He is not getting through the balls.

When you screw the brown back to come to the side cushion, which is

perfect for Neil, he had turned use the long rest. He is not timing of

the ball. Just get a nice free- flowing cue action that he normally

has. Neil Robertson has it all to do. All this week Steve Davis has

been entertaining us with his history takes us to Liverpool, to a

venerable old table manufacturer and host to a veritable treasure trove

have played on a table in a club or private room where you needed a

short cue to play a certain shot. Perhaps there was a pillar in the

way or even a fireplace. Effectively, the room was too small

for the table. But there is another solution. Don't chop a bit of the

cue, chopped a bit off the table. And here we've got an octagonal

table. Wow X -- wow! An Aladdin's cave of snooker memorabilia. I know

you've got a special table to tell me about, Peter. This table is

rumoured to have been used by the Duke of Wellington. It is a folding

table so it can be moved around and the story goes the Duke of

Wellington may have played on it during his campaigns. It is of the

right age. We understand that in the first Afghan war, they actually took

Billy tables would then strapped to their camels, so it is possible but

Mac and 8-foot table here would have been strapped onto a camel and

carted around! -- it is possible... I'm going to make myself sound very

silly. It's got a wooden slate! It has a wooden bed in it but I'll tell

you about that later. But the really important developments were things

like oceans and we can go on and have a look at those. -- cushions.

According to the legend we've got, it would fit into a bay window.

Perfect! So cushions are a very important part of the game. Indeed.

Prior to using rubber in the cushions, this is what a traditional

it, so basically it was there to stop the ball rolling off the table.

So no bouncing? Peter Ebdon would be upset with that! The next thing was

the introduction of natural rubber into the cushions in about 1835. And

this was something similar to what it would have looked like.

laminated? Yes. From then, you went to a vulcanised rubber. When you and

I might have been going to play, with the ladies playing cards and we

would have gone to the drawing room to have our pot and brandy, you

would have had one of these which was a long steel Chewbacca with hot

water... To soften the rubber up?It is essentially like a hot water

bottle. Marvellous!And then you would get your response. So then it

would bounce out of the middle of the table. This early rubber wasn't

up to much so when did it get to the stage where you could play and it

would bounce off a length? People used to promote the fact that they

were low frost proof cushions because the vulcanised rubber wasn't

affected by the cold. So that was really what a traditional, and still

looks like today on most tables, cushion looks like. You have the

block and then the body of the table. Because we have to refer

back, they came up with things like steel blocks and that goes back. And

then you have a big piece of steel on this one. Here it is only a piece

of wood but the steel is bolted on to the bed of the table and then

this piece of wood is the mask that goes on. And that makes it more

solid. And we have blocks today and we still consider those to be the

fastest response cushions there. What is this? This is a replica of

the first match table. The legendary match table. It was chosen as a

standard table full-size in 1832 so we got to 12 foot 6' as the playing

area for the table. -- 12 feet it by six feet. And it would have been for

the best players of the day. Prior to that, you would have had a table

which was four feet wide and 14 feet long. Of course, Peter, at top-class

level, the players moan like crazy if the tables on level, so over the

years, it must have been a massive problem. Yes. If you follow me, I

will show you some beds that they the slate. So, again, this is

pre-1826. You can see it is made into a frame and each of these

blocks, the grain runs in the opposite direction, trying to keep

the bed level. Somewhere in our legend, we have found that they

talked about "flogging the bed", which was to take over the high

spots that they moaned about. look at the gaps! That is a crevice!

Look at that! If you are trying to roll up slowly to the yellow...

would give you some side on! This is about an inch thick and the original

slate beds were made so they just replaced the wooden beds, so they

were not very thick. This is actually in three sections and I

think the early lightweight heads in slate were in three sections. But

has we developed and you wanted a better surface, because a thin slate

will warp, and it could go round, depending how it is supported, so

this is how you made it level. We are now going to the standard

hipness inch and three quarters. -- thickness. This is a concrete one

from about 1860. Five sections?Two reasons for that. One, it is a size,

given the thickness, that people can carry and deliver two places. And

also, rather than having it in four sections, where a joint would

probably hit the pocket, slate is obviously... It is easy to break up

a bit so rather than have a problem with the middle pocket they made it

into five. And then you can carry these. Two people could just about

do it but with a full table, it was about three or four. When we had the

snooker boom in the 80s, they try to use resin mixed with granite and

slate dust and they even tried glass, but slate is easy to work,

you can level it, and with five sections, if we had this laid up on

a table and set up before we put the cloth on, and I got you to close

your eyes and run your fingers over the length of the table, you

wouldn't be able to feel it. The old Welsh slate mines are gone now.

Where does it come from? The new tables will have Italian and now the

very new tables will have Chinese slate. I've just spotted something

over your head! What is this? It runs all the way along... Yes, this

was for billiards, so that when you are practising at home you didn't

have to walk all the way down. is wonderful. I haven't seen one of

these for years. And I tell you what else - the coin-operated... 5p in

the meter? It probably would have been 6p. They were properly doing it

on bits of paper in those days. Fantastic! Feeding the meter, it

used to be called. Keeping the light on. Stephen Hendry has never put any

money in one of those metres in his life! I bet!

I hope you are enjoying those lessons from Steve Davis. It is just

under road from Goodison Park so you can pot down the road and have a

look. As Steve said, it is like an Aladdin 's cave. Yes. I asked a

couple of questions a few days ago in three hours later I came out!

started on six by three tables. Ireland are getting my first. It was

at the bottom of the bunkbeds. -- I remember. We had the metres as well.

You're absolutely right that in the 80s, they were commercially

available. We had one where I was growing up in Cardiff and it drove

my mother nuts. It was in the corner of the room and we moved all the

furniture and called it into the middle. They -- we drove her mad!

Yes! I would come in every day after school when it was dragged in. I

would pretend I do my homework but be playing. So now 12' x 6' were

introduced in 1892. Before that it could be whatever size worked for

the purchaser. I didn't know that. Who's going to play on that?

probably need a rest to break off! -- I would probably need. We are now

back with live coverage of Neil Robertson against Robert Milkins.

Neil Robertson is in a bit of a pickle, so before the tournament, we

grown up a lot in the last 20, 30 years, and the game has become a lot

more professional, so if you have your night out with the top players

I'm sure you will have a pretty good time. Definitely the case three

years ago but now it is properly a bit too much of a job! -- probably.

In terms of the hours of practice, I've probably practised less than

anyone in the top 20 in the world. I concentrate on doing quality

practice. No, definitely something I don't do. I don't moan about

travelling at all. I've just got a gym and treadmill installed in my

house so one of my goals for the new season is to be as fit as any other

player on the tour, if not more fit. Yes, used to be absolutely

terrible, the amount of matches I've just got through. But I now try to

get to my matches early. It's either you were watching DVDs or playing

computer games, so it's important to keep it under control and play in

moderation. No, I've never said anything like that. I want to win

another two or three world titles, Well, he's in a right old battle

here, Neil Robertson. Let's hand you back to our commentary team of

Dennis Taylor and Terry Griffiths. TERRY GRIFFITHS: Yes, he's got a lot

to do, Neil Robertson. He's missed few pressure pots before the

interval. That's unusual for him. -- he's missed a few. Ten is the number

they are both looking for in frames. Doesn't matter how you get there. As

long as you get there before your opponent! Interesting listening to

Neil on the spot there. He said he wants to win another two or three

titles, so he had better shape up here because he's taken his eye off

But not too bad. I think Rob might be able to take the left onto the

you're taking the pot on you need to avoid cannon -- the cannon into

position there. I think the pink might pass into the left corner. The

blue is definitely available anyway. well. Could have been worse. After

he got the cannon on the yellow. He's got a red to go for and the

back looking at it again. Normally he would get down and pot that. But

that is more like it. Better cueing from Neil Robertson. He changed his

played it well. And that's much more choice and he's given himself a

far. He's pulled off some good pots pot the red into the left corner,

question of the former world champion in taking that last frame

and he's played very well, but he knows Neil Robertson can move up a

gear. It's an act that some of the top players have when they are put

under pressure. That's when they come into their own. It remains to

be seen what happens here. But already he is looking much more

It flew off that cushion. And of course Neil Robertson, I think you

won in 2010, this Championship. -- he won. He was a long way down

against Martin Gould in the second round at 11-5 and went on to win

faced adversity here and they know mentioned Martin Gould there. He

lost to Shaun Murphy in the first round and I've been watching the

boys in the studio, and in the background, he's playing on the

table with the youngsters and the people who come along to accuse own.

So he likes to stay around, Martin Gould. There are few who do and they

normally had back home. But he's been entertaining them and keeping

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goes, he will take that. If not, we red and then the colour. And then

one more red to make Robert need a would you believe it! He was

starting to look comfortable and that was frame ball and he missed

the black and just disturb those reds he could get right back into

There's a bit of distance between them but this could open things up.

They are not dead set in line for could see the plant and he was

hoping to split the reds up but he needed a bit more pace. He is now

very restricted with his position. I don't think he's going to be on

another red if he drops it in. because the pink would come back

onto its spot and block the path of Just trying to get the snooker here.

And he hasn't. His left Neil a free pot, although having said that, if

he takes the cut on to the right corner he's got to make sure he

misses the pink on the way back down then, if Robert Milkins has a look

here, there's a possibility he could take this red down the cushion and

he likes this type of shot, because it doesn't look from here as if any

of those reds would go in the left centre. He's had one chance and he

might not get another. He's 52 points behind with 51 left. He's

looking at it. Yes, you walked around the table and spotted what

looks to have played that perfectly. Beautiful shop there and a great

virtually game ball and then it went safe so it might come to Neil's

ball. I think the yellow passes the potted that pink in the middle and

gone up to the baulk area and into the pack of reds when he took that

onto it. The referee was putting the brown on the blue spot but quickly

play. He was trying to macro shots in one there, trying to pot the

The black is close to the middle pocket. Great chance for Neil

Robertson to get back to all square again. He played that too slow,

deliver the cued to slow. Deliver I have never seen Neil miss so many

balls, he is under pressure for some reason. His opponent has

played well, maybe that has put him under pressure. But why has he

I felt he should have got that save us first. That black is in a very

favourable positions. It may be all And if he does get a chance to pot

the brown, he can then get in behind the black as you mentioned.

Neil cannot afford to leave the brownout on. -- leave the brownout

on. Because of where they are it is a big target area to play snooker.

If he can get his cue ball on the right-hand side of the table and

the object ball on the same side. He doesn't look to have a shot on

here. He has got to get his brown He has got to be careful, the angle

the cue ball will take. He should not play with any pace. That was a

Neil Robertson has set the foundations for his winner. He is

playing an exhibition shot here, that is unusual for Neil. He has

Robertson made a break of 61, but he is not giving himself many

He took the blue one, which you would ordinarily expect him to get,

but at the moment though shots are not really happening for him.

think he needs a good break to really settle him down and get that

confidence. I know he is 26 points ahead, but he has missed a

straightforward green into the pocket. He is very on edge. Nobody

wants to go out on the first round. The factory is one of the

favourites as pressure. It is the Crucible pressure, isn't it?

have all been there. The first round is absolutely horrible, but

Robert Milkins has got to keep doing what he has been doing. He is

in with a big chance. Let's see what happens. Neil Robertson was

Robert some might possibly have left a path for a red into the

It must be tight because he is having a look at it from both ends.

If he takes it on, he has got a pot Let's have a look. That looks a bit

tight to get to the potting angle, He was indicating he is going to

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leave the white up at the black He thought he was going to go round

the back of the black and red, and he scattered the reds all over the

table. He has finished in a position where there is one

possible pot and may be that it is not even on. What a result of Neil

He is shaking his head, that tells Robert just have to forget about it

and play a safety shot. That is an amazing result when you think of

where the cue ball finished and where the reds did, you would think

you are bound to have walked -- Do you think he can get to that red

for safety? Yes, it just get as close to the cushioned... You would

at least one to a shot where you can trap him, the ball has run. He

cannot do much about it. In one respect to should be thinking how

lucky he is because he missed the pot. He should not have left the

white where he did because he left Neil an easy shot to snooker him.

pretty poor safety from Robert. He should not have left the white in

that position. He has got a bit of Maybe that is OK because they are

covering each other. It wasn't If he can find a nice spot for the

cue ball up near where he is standing, not on the carpet, on the

table. And cover that red, on the left-hand side of the table, he

Robert has a few choices, another defence of safety, push it off the

He could even hit the red on the right cushion and bring the cue

ball down here, but he has not There you go, I do not know which

side of the red he played, I think he caught at two sec. -- icing he

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

caught it to -- I think he caught Be looked pretty straightforward

pick-up -- but they are not really. You have got to be a little bit

A lot of them are blocking each He is just looking to see if the

red will pass the black into the opposite corner pocket. He has got

an angle on the black, he does not necessarily have to play for that

If he is not absolutely sure, play Sometimes in this situation it is

all plain sailing, other times a fraction can make all the

He has flipped it. The he might have put himself right out of

It will not go now. It would have before he'd just nudged it. What is

a mistake that has turned out to be false stop he potted the black dead

centre of the pocket, he just misjudged position. That is what he

is faced with. I know Neil is under pressure, but he is taking a long

time. I would like to see him pick the pace up. He is giving the

message to his opponent that he is not feeling great. When he is

feeling good out there, he is very fluid. In this situation, you do

not mind him taking as much time as he likes. But when he is in the

balls, just play your normal games. It is a devastating came that he

I'm just wondering if this red to the right of the black, the two

reds, it might go. There are other options. Robert had a look at that,

but obviously cannot see enough of He is back having a look after it.

But if it does not go, it does not go. It does not matter how I am on

That is a cracking the opening red. And it has to be said, Robert

Milkins is looking a more relaxed than the former world champion is

at the moment. He is a pretty cool customer. He has only won one match,

he has been here so many times, played here five times but has only

As John Parrott said in the studio, make no mistake, this man could

The opinion amongst a lot of the professional players is that Neil

Robertson is the favourite to win the title this year. Not quite sure

what the odds are, but he has been showing some great form. He has

good history, and because of that you can understand why there is so

much pressure on him. Robert Milkins, on the other hand, will

just be glad to win this match. It He totally misjudged that once and

If he was playing a cannon on that, those two reds together do not look

like they would go. Anyway, there is a long pot on which might be

He is a long way out of position. He has gone further up the table

I think his bridge is awkward, you can see how much cue is out there.

The red has come across and left Neil a chance. Both players have

If he takes this red to the centre pocket, the natural angle taken up

the right-hand side of the reds. A Well, he has had a good look around

and he may have to play a cannon now. They all look to be blocking

each other. He does not necessarily have to hit the pink this time, but

It all depends on the angle. He He is looking to see if he can get

He is stuck on the red, that is what I thought might happen. Can he

see the black? He cannot, it is fractions. He is looking a bit

unlucky there. Because he was striking down and trying to make an

angle, he was just fractionally to The match has gone over five hours.

Five hours and 15 minutes. It is He Neelie played a very clever shot

there, he tried to put the white on the blues. -- he Neelie played. --

Very unusual to see a player, playing a safety shot and leaving

the white in the middle of the table beside the blue, but that is

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

A little bit of noise from the other side of the arena. Play has

finished, I think, on the other side. The players in a little while

it will have the whole arena to That white just flew off the

It went wrong. I do not know if he had a bad contract or not. Robert

is having the cue ball cleaned, so maybe he did. Difficult to detect a

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

This will help. And nice angle here to get up to the reds. It is not

going to be easy. The black is awkward, pink is up the other end

It is even more difficult it now that he is the wrong side of the

blue and there is no red available. This would only give him an extra 5

points, so there is not a great deal of value. He is looking at the

score, it is still early days. A safety might be better than taking

He has not got the snooker. He wanted to hit the pink slightly on

the right side. Playing very gently like that, there is a good chance

He has pushed the red over the Another two inches and that would

have been possible. He will have to If he had gone a fraction further

he could have brought the reds into There should not be too much danger

He did not mean to hit it that hard. Maybe not, I can see Robert shaking

his head. Neil almost left him in He thinks you can pot at, and he

could. The -- he thinks he can have Can he can and the two reds? It is

He knew this one was always going that's the one that gets you. When

you get a few to porters there going, go on, Neil! And you have

nothing to have a go at! -- you get a few supporters. There's a good

crucial times not playing shots up to their usual standard. And that's

not a good one either for Neil. Didn't hit it hard enough. So an

easy safety from Robert to leave the white tight to the cushion. -- for

DENNIS TAYLOR: Well, this next shot will open the table up. There is the

straightforward safety down of the two reds. He can just see the single

red. Then get past the blue to play down the left side of the table of

was trying to be ultra-careful bounce. He could have played the

pink and disturb the reds but now he old two-cushion escape. Try to

glance of those roads to get back up with lots of left-hand side. And

well played. Excellent shot! And occurs he should have played off

those two reds in the previous safety shot. He played a very

defensive shot. OK, this hasn't been the greatest friends for Neil. --

about that! This time he is on the Championship so far and it might

which makes it a bit awkward. So he will take the yellow and the yellow

Milkins? He is in their battling away and making life tough. --

doesn't really matter. He's just rolling it in anyway. Robert Milkins

leads the former world champion, Neil Robertson, 8-7.

Wow! What a frame! And Neil Robertson is in some trouble, Ken?

Probably the shot of the Championship so far. He's played a

great escape. Also soft trouble. He is not only hit it, but look at the

position. Perfect on the pink. And that was going to win any frame.

you agree, John? Was that one of the shots of the Championship so far?

Neil Robertson could not play the shop before that any better and you

must have been sitting in his chair thinking, I've got a right chance. A

magnificent shot, really well thought out. And he's grown in

confidence? Yes. Neil Robertson is a shadow today of what he normally is.

He has a great chance of winning this match, Robert Milkins, and I

firmly believe that because his opponent is not at speed today.

is absolutely right. He looks on edge. We have talked about some of

the top seeds coming in and he is maybe the second favourite to win

this after Ronnie O'Sullivan. A couple of big seeds have gone out -

Mark Williams is one of them. Sometimes that can play a part

because it always makes you a bit more edgy. You want to get into the

first match and get into the tournament and think it is open for

you. I'm nitpicking editor bit but sometimes players do look at the

draw and if the two big seeds have gone out of your quarter, you think,

well, this is handy. Get over this first one and I could be in the

semi-final. Do you buy the argument that he is also looking, thinking,

I'm one of the top four seeds and I'm not into the second round yet?

You should be thinking any of that. You go back to your hotel and think,

he has got knocked out, and he has got knocked out. You would expect

Stephen Maguire to have come through and Williams as well. But you have

to blank that because if you don't get this match, you won't be playing

anybody in the next round! Robert Milkins said he feels confident

going into the game but because he has not been here for some time, he

was terrified, but he seems to be growing and growing into the game as

it progresses. Yes, it gives you confidence. When you see your

opponent missing big breaks and not punishing you, you can get the

frame. But Robert Milkins is not afraid of playing anybody. Not Neil

Robertson or anybody. He has been growing confidence and is up to

number 19, provisionally, in the world. Almost breaking the top 16. A

win like this would give him a tremendous boost. And he dropped --

knocked Jimmy White out in a qualifying round as well. What will

be interesting is that Robert Milkins is getting near the winning

posts now. He was the pretournament favourite before anything started.

He's thinking, I am 8-7, I have the best chance to beat him. He hasn't

had much experience at The Crucible whereas Neil Robertson house. And he

has got to the end and lifted the trophy and that could play a factor

as well. -- Neil Robertson has. is going to happen in this? We know

he lost to Wally O'Sullivan 13-2. -- TERRY GRIFFITHS: You still have to

think Neil Robertson would be the favourite even with what has gone on

before. Because he's had quite a lot of success at The Crucible where

Robert Milkins hasn't. But of course Milkins is playing a lot better

now. His temperament is a lot better than it used to be and he has been

getting a lot of wins in the last few years, which makes you

would be a bonus if the two reds were on for the centre pocket. And

see a player that takes a plant on and forgets about the cue ball. He

is on the yellow but... We might just have to see the cue power of

And, you know, we've been feeling for the last couple of friends Neil

Robertson just has to move up through the gears. Cash Mac couple

opponent, Robert Milkins, looks more relaxed than Neil does. A pretty

the snooker. I've been so impressed good tactical player but Robert

Milkins at 82% with his safety consider both these players are

really good long potters and you have to take that into account when

played there. Just tapping the table. To control that swerve shot

and just glance off the red. Because if he had missed the red going up

and left the red on. He had to be so might be a red that pops into the

corner, just to the left and behind the pink. He could take that on. But

it is a free shot for Neil Robert Milkins. He will have to hit

the side of the pack and hit it Crucible Theatre to themselves now,

with play finished on the other side of the table. No distractions. This

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reckless but he wanted to get the cue ball around the table. I thought

he had fluked it! No, he hasn't. Has he covered it? And if he's covered

that, has he covered the other red? Or can Neil not one onto the other?

around the table when he took the pot on. You never know where the

reds are going to go when you take this pot. But once the two reds can

and the blue, they could go be available to the left-hand

to pot the pink... Hmm... Maybe if it goes back onto its own spot, it

might be tied up somewhat. He might know if it's available once it goes

score. 913 against 700 finials Robertson. -- for Neil Robertson.

And he's losing. It's not always the this pink to the right corner

pocket. It's not even on the red. So he's out of position. He still looks

goes but he's had a long, hard look bit quick with the delivery of the

cue there, which is very unlike Neil as you say, is not the fluke. When

you miss and don't leave your opponent anything, it can be quite

upsetting for your opponent because he feels he deserves to have

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with that black being knocked over to send the black over the corner

pocket. Last time he was going to wobble the red and knock the black

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he should, because he's been taking too long, I feel. Once he's in

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amongst the balls, he has a very you how a little bit of a run of the

ball can help. Neil missed that red frame and get himself back all

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comfortable now, Neil Robertson. But break is enough, and once again, we

are back level at 8-8. Well, we will discuss that frame in

a moment but we thought we'd entertain you with a little game as

we wait. Spot the real John Parrott! How many have we got? Five of them!

In fact, the best looking one is in the checked shirt! We were going to

get a Ken asked but it would have frightened the kids! -- mask.

21 today. Happy birthday! That picture must have been taken quite a

while ago! Actually, you can take your mask off now! Anyway, let's go

back to the serious business -8 - eight. Yes, all to play for. They

will just be looking for a really good chance here. It's in the

balance. Experience may tell apart but it may not. It's a bit better

from Neil Robertson, playing a bit better in that frame, but still a

long way to go yet. DENNIS TAYLOR: Yes, a long way to go

yet, but who is going to get themselves at 9-8 and just need the

one frame to get through to the Once again, he has had a great run

Crucible. Might be able to take the pot on. They are loving every minute

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cushion by the black spot area. The way Neil reacted there. Just come

off the cushions so much quicker magic figure of ten is coming close

best frame in the last one, so he points. Talking about the more

experienced player, and that is Neil Robertson, who has won more matches.

21 here at The Crucible and he has -- shot. And at first glance, a bit

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of a problem for Robert Milkins Not quite as he intended. This red

does not pass the blue. It will pot into the right middle Pottle --

It is a similar situation for Robert. He has got to give it could

cue ball, or he could lead some on. That was a bit thick. He didn't

want to hit the job. He can get on He didn't like the ankle to hold

He has a slight angle to work with He could get on the black this time.

He is coming round once again to have a look to see if he can leave

Neil Robertson doesn't make a lot of mistakes, that is what he has

The black cannot go back on its own spots, which will put it out of

Has he left himself on this read? He can't stand it in, get a nice

angle on the blue and then play the If he gets on the blue in such a

way, he can get the pink, black and I think he had a bad contact on

that plants. He didn't get the I don't know about you, Dennis, but

I'm getting sick and tired of talking about it kicks, people must

think it is an excuse, but, no, it is happening. Some people say it is

chalk on the ball, some people say it is static. No one has come up

The Bulls were slightly heavier in the old days and it didn't happen.

-- the balls. Now they're playing with brand-new balls all the time.

That is something that didn't happen years ago, Terry. The balls

were played with for quite some time. The tables never got

Robert has gone a bit ragged at the moment. He can play at a very high

standard, but he does go missing Neil Robertson is starting to grind

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him down at its. 29 minutes since That was what we call a basic error,

He may have an angle, a slight angle. The table seems to be a

little bit slower than usual. We always talk about how fast these

tables play. I will have to have a word with the players, but they

don't seem to be as quick as normal. That seems to have jumped a little

bit. If he had got on the blue bear in such a way, he could have gone

into the pink, black and reds. He had at kick which didn't help the

He didn't feel comfortable on that, Going back to the kicks, the only

thing that has changed at the Crucible this year are the balls.

The Crucible never changes. Sometimes the atmosphere can change

slightly, but they have the table he does with that thermostats, so

There is the thermostats, which I know they changed the clock last

night. They changed the three practice tables and these two match

tables. The truth of the days, it is costing players out there. Or