Day 16, Part 1 Snooker: World Championship

In true world champion style... The World Snooker Championship 1982,

Alex Higgins. World Snooker Championship to and 89, Steve

Davis. It is a magnificent seven times for a Stephen Hendry in the

1990s. John Higgins takes the world title. Ronnie O'Sullivan is the 2013

World Snooker Championship. -- champion.

Hello, after 16 days and 572 frames of snooker we have arrived at one of

the great showpiece occasions. It is the Crucible final in the 2014

Dafabet World Championship. Coming up, a two day, four part drama

featuring the greatest art, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Selby, the man

who do is not want to play understudy to him any more. --

greatest star. Ronnie O'Sullivan going for three in a row. Accel be

aiming to land his first. -- Mark Selby aiming to land his first. The

defending champion, Ronnie O'Sullivan, he returns to the

Crucible to a standing ovation. His opponent, Robin Hull from Finland,

in the end, straightforward for Ronnie O'Sullivan. Not so

comfortable for Mark Selby. He was unable to shake off Michael White.

It went to a decider. What a great match, Michael White deserves every

round of applause he gets. Anything but straightforward for the

defending champion in the second-round match against Joe

Perry, her very, very tight match but Ronnie O'Sullivan rallied in the

end with a wonderful century to finish. Magnificent! The Rocket was

superb! You can see what it meant to him.

He had a very tough second-round draw, Mark Selby, against Ali

Carter. He managed to stay ahead. Ronnie O'Sullivan faced the 2005

world champion Shaun Murphy and looked a little bit in trouble,

however, 13 of the next four frames, Ronnie was the convincing winner

with a session to spare. There was a similar situation for Mark, after a

tight situation with Alan McManus, he was able to pull away a

comfortable winner. In the semifinal, the defending

champion faced Barry Hawkins, a repeat of last's final. Nothing in

the tank for Barry Hawkins, Ronnie wins with a session to spare and has

the day off before the big final. Ronnie O'Sullivan is into the final

for three years in a row. Mark Wood had been expecting a huge battle

against Neil Robertson, and that is what he got. -- Mark Selby were to

been expecting. What a fantastic match, Mark Selby, he gets to his

second Crucible final. And who have the company of two further world

champions with Steve Davis and John Parrott, how'd you like the look of

this line-up? This will be a fantastic contest, they have got

previous, they have beaten each other in the finals. Ronnie

O'Sullivan hell will have the utmost respect for Mark Selby. Mark Selby

has been involved in a classic semifinal last night, one that went

down to the wire, worthy of a final, what bearing would that have? A lot

has been made that Ronnie O'Sullivan had a day off, but you could still

have a sleepless night even if you had a day off, but Ronnie

O'Sullivan, he is up against Mark Selby, Mark Selby looks like he was

comfortable when he won last night. Mark Selby is eight years Ronnie's

Junior, a decent record against O'Sullivan. Ronnie has prevailed in

several occasions. They have a habit of meeting and finals. Three wins

apiece. They squared up against the Masters final in January and

surprisingly one-sided it was, Ronnie was 7-1 up after the first

session and a ten - four winner. How much better do you feel that Mark

Selby is playing four months on from that final? Your form comes and

goes. He is better place this season than earlier in the season. He

cannot judge when you will hit form, but it is nice when it coincides

with the World Championship. A very long match, four long sessions, how

important with this first session be in the overall context of the match?

It will be crucial. To get a good start against Ronnie O'Sullivan is

imperative. He does not want a repeat of the Masters. He will be

looking for a foothold and playing on from there. OK, gentlemen, Rob

Walker is raring to go, it is all yours.

The last June, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 2014 Dafabet World

Championship, the final, the stage is set for an epic confrontation,

so, let's on the baize without further ado! -- let's get the boys

on the baize. CHEERING Please welcome, a player who was

magnificent last night in one of the all-time great Crucible semifinals,

once again, proving he has the talent and the nerve for the biggest

stage of all. It is his second appearance in a Crucible final and

since 2007, he has won six major titles, proving to be one of the

world's very best. A brilliant ambassador for snooker, what a

moment it is for him and all of his family, here comes the Jester from

last, here comes Mark Selby! -- the Jester from Leicester!

CHEERING And his opponent, the most exciting

player ever to grace the modern game, 21 years since his Crucible

debut, he is here contesting his sixth World Championship final,

winner of three major titles this season alone, here he is, ready to

entertain once again in his own inimitable style, please welcome the

defending world champion, blink and you will miss him, the Rocket,

Ronnie O'Sullivan! CHEERING

What a sense of anticipation, I am sure you are feeling it at home, if

you want to share your views on the action, you can comment on the BBC

Facebook page or also you can get in touch on Twitter. Ronnie O'Sullivan,

looking to equal the feet of Ray Reardon and Steve Davis, and in the

commentary box, a world champion, Stephen Hendry and John Virgo,

already to go, gentlemen. Absolutely, Hazel, what a match we

have got ahead. The picture being taken with a fee. That of course the

next two days would be all about. -- the picture being taken with the

World Championship Trophy. Ronnie O'Sullivan to break. Ronnie

O'Sullivan will get this final underway. Since I retired, many

people ask, did I miss the game, I certainly miss this? This is the

ultimate, John. A good handshake between the two.

A big day for the referee, Brendan Moore, Sheffield born and bred,

first World Championship final. His father, Derek, his wife Sharon, and

Cajun and Sophie here to witness, either they are very proud. -- and

they are very proud. He needs to keep his wits about him. You need

just as much concentration as the players. That is about all that Mark

Selby could do with that shot. Early days, it is usually a bit

cagey at the start. A little bit thin, little bit pacey.

Maybe nothing to tempt Ronnie O'Sullivan. As we say, 38 used this

World Championship has been, this is when he was introduced, he got a

standing ovation, look what it meant to him. Emotional.

John Parrott mentioned how he lost the first session in the semifinals,

Mark Selby, the first session is crucial.

Once again, a thick safety, he got away with the last one. It doesn't

appear that he has left one on here either. The table had a new cover

after the quarterfinals, new covers, new clause, new cautions. -- new

cloth, new cushions. The table fitters hard at work,

getting the table already. -- all ready. A little bit too thin, years

just not settled yet. -- he has just not settled. I do not think he will

be really comfortable in this match until he gets that first frame under

his belt, and he would love it to be the first frame. That is way

Ronnie's two previous matches, 6-2 up against Barry Hawkins when I

commentated, the match was virtually over. He just does not lose many

sessions. The only time he was really put under any pressure was

Joe Perry, and Joe Perry, funny enough, he won the first session. It

took a bit of time for Ronnie O'Sullivan to get the deficit back.

He has not left anything here, but Ronnie O'Sullivan is having a close

look. Obviously, no pot, coming up to six

and a half minutes. As I say, it is usual, this, just a cagey start, it

gets your cue arm going. At the moment, Ronnie's safety play is

absolutely inch perfect. Playing safe office red, close to the

right-hand cushion, it is very, very dangerous if he tries to get back

into baulk. He did get a slight double-kiss which is why he is

catching the blue. First chance to Ronnie O'Sullivan.

An excellent shot. Still has a bit of work to do here. Needs to avoid

or judge the case of the second red. -- the kiss off the second red.

He made it look so easy, well played.

The pink is a little bit tougher this time. Yes, I do not think the

position is automatic. He might have to play this with some pace which

makes it even more difficult. The few pots he has played so far,

he looks sharp already. Still quite a few awkward balls

before we could consider this a frame-winning opportunity, but he

has got such a quick brain that he can seize opportunities to bring

balls into play. He earned himself this chance by

playing an excellent safety shot. A bit disappointed there. Did not want

the cue ball tight against the cushion.

Another excellent shot, and this next one could be the key to the

frame, because in this red, you will have to screw into the three reds,

and these reds will be in play. Only one of them, but he will settle for

that, nicely on the black. A quick glance at the scoreboard and this

black will put him 65 points in front with just 75 remaining. This

black, one more red and a colour, what a start!

As long as he has got a slight angle on the one in the baulk pocket, then

any colour will put him in the snooker required stage. You cannot

search much better than this, Stephen, can you? No, when he first

came to the table at the start of this break, Mark Selby did not look

like it was a frame-winning opportunity on, but a couple of nice

flicks, but apart from that, it has been amazing cueing. Just a little

grimace, because if he does not catch the pink you were to being on

one of these reds on the top cushion. Just playing the safety.

Does not want to give his opponent any table time, what a break that

was! 69 points the lead, 67 remaining.

He's determined not to play any silly shots and give Mark Selby any

thing easy to get his arm going and start potting some balls. Keeping

the arm cold. A chance for Ronnie O'Sullivan to

give Mark Selby in seat. -- to keep. I do not think Mark Selby will

bother coming back to the table unless it is for some practice.

bother coming back to the table does concede, so Ronnie did not

allow Mark Selby to pot a ball, at what a marvellous break that was,

created by his good safety. Mark Selby will have to do better in that

department. Box office! How about that for an

opening break? Marvellous. An incredible start from Ronnie

O'Sullivan. We spoke about a good start for Mark Selby, but what a

start from Ronnie O'Sullivan. That is top drawer. He made a lot of

centuries, but that is one of the best breaks you have ever seen. He

has got a pink in the middle pocket, you think, he might skim out and

play safe, but look at this, this is so difficult, he has got to pot

this, come across and move the reds, he deserved everything he got

from this. Mark Selby, he did not score a point did not have much

table time at all! And also at the end, a really good safety shot to

keep him cold. He knows how important these first few exchanges

would be. Back we go. Ronnie is having a look at this red

the right-hand side of the table, just thinking, if you played the pot

and left it alone, he could be on the black.

I think he just swerved that slightly which is why it was a

fraction too thin. I do not think he has left anything. Mark Selby is

having a look at this red near the black. It is a thin one. Maybe he

fears he could get on a baulk colours should it go in. He is off

the mark. Unfortunately, he has got two good cue ball.

That's the line. He could leave something and that is a careless

mistake. I bet Ronnie can't believe he found

that gap! . That was a poor shot. A huge target there.

Maybe the new cloth and cushion caught him out slightly, slid more

than he was expecting. He can get into the reds.

Oh, but don't miss the black. Has that come to his rescue? I don't

think so. It still goes to the middle. I was going to say Stephen,

one thing you have to avoid doing, and particularly early on, is miss

easy balls when you are in. He cannot be giving Ronnie more

confidence obviously than he already has. Nothing gives you op popts when

your opponent misses easy balls. Absolutely inch-perfect.

Coming round the two cushions. As I say, to the inch.

Immediately he has spotted this plant. A that's what they say about

Ronnie - he has everything. He keeps looking, seeing what is available,

trying to make things easier for himself.

But even for the maestro, when you go into a cluster, you always need a

bit of luck and that one has not worked out.

Might be disapointed with this split he played. He would have kicked a

few open and released the cue ball. Unlike Ronnie, in this tournament so

far, when he's run out and not had an easy safety shot to play, he's

made it count. He's not let this one count. He's left a pot to the

corner. Le There is a bit of pressure on

this. Just worrying signs at the minute. I

know it is very early, but he cannot allow Ronnie to dictate these first

four frames. It is hard for him not to let his

mind drift back to that Mast er Masters' final. That is right.

Sometimes you feel you have to play your absolute best - pressure not to

miss a ball and even that can have an effect on you. As I say, I don't

think he'll really relax, Mark Selby, until he gets that score mark

on the score board. I get the feeling this second fwram has gone.

I would be -- frame has gone. I would be surprised if Ronnie didn't

get enough here. The referee is convinced it does go

on. There's two reds in potable position positions.

LAUGHTER 23.

So, Ronnie a little bit surprised. I am not certain what was going on

there. He's still got two reds in the open

and these two reds, high value colours, will put him in the require

required stage. So this blue and it will put him 54

points in front, with just 51 remaining.

A plant to the left corner, so it didn't matter about the pink going

on its spot. Oh, well! He'll kick himself there! He will be kicking

himself! It looked a dead-set plan. I don't know why he needed to play

it so hard, but Mark Selby now - just a bit of a bounce, trying to

force the cue ball over. One snooker needed. It's not impossible.

You play on the left-hand side, follow a black and play a snooker

behind the pink, the red just below the pink. Is that still a

possibility? He's going to pot the black in the

middle pocket. Ronnie made a mistake there.

Good shot! APPLAUSE

Unfortunately the easy snooker behind the pink is not on. That cue

ball needed to be on the right-hand side of the table.

Mark puts his hand up and says that is enough for me. He gave him half a

chance there, but couldn't control the cue ball. 2-1, Ronnie

O'Sullivan. Well, it whats been a fascinating --

it's been a fascinating two frames there. Just a thing for club

players, if you are interested in the game - look at this shot from

Mark Selby. How high he is with the arm there. High newspaper the air.

You are told as an amateur, keep the cue as parallel as possible to avoid

any spin on the shot. Here is Ronnie - he is higher at the back than you

would think. He's not got the cue as low as possible. He drops the cue

through the shot. Take you over to the table - when I have watched

Ronnie O'Sullivan in the practise room playing, just a little tip,

when you play a screw back, you try and get as low as possible with the

cue. See the butt of the cue there. You get as low as possible. That is

not how the top players are playing, they are high up with the back. They

have their cue roughly. You see this - the line of the camera is where

they are at the back. They play the shot and then they drop through the

shot like that. Not so good. I have miscued. Perhaps I should have put

some chalk on! You would have thought they would

have given him a piece of chalk! It surprises me he breaks off

left-handed. Why can't he break off right-handed? He explains whe plays

it right-hand side. He says, I just feel when I play it left-handed, I

seem to get a better reaction. He believes that you've got to be a

foot this side of the balk line to find the balk cushion and use --

baulk cushion and use it as a buffer.

A weak safety shot from Mark. This will not do!

And you probably noticed there was every chance of it - released the

black as well. That's why he played it with such

pace. You couldn't have played it any better than that.

APPLAUSE Well, beautifully controlled again!

That cue ball is on a piece of string at the moment.

He could play for a red into the right corner. In doing that he would

play for the black and the black at the moment doesn't go on its own

spot. He would like to play the red occupying the black spot before he

thinks about potting the black. Sometimes it is the way the balls

are that dictates how you play. He's had a look at the blue, but

this pink is a much easier pot. He could play for the black this

time. 83 remaining.

Looks like that poor safety shot from Mark Selby is going to cost him

this third frame. Not settled yet. Hardly played a

decent safety and this was the one. Caught it much too thick. Jip steed

of reaching the baulk cushion rereached the line and of course

left a red on. -- instead.

Just 59 remaining. Another frame has slipped by.

He's introduced Ronnie by Rob Walker, blink and you'll miss it.

This is a sensational start. Absolutely sensational. It really

is. That is Ronnie's 11th century of the tournament. The 55th of the

championship. And they wouldn't be played much better than that. Misses

the yellow. It doesn't matter. He gave the #c0u6d what they came to

see - a Ronnie O'Sullivan century in style. He leads 3-0.

He's not hanging about. This is a mesmerise mesmerising start. That is

what Mark Selby looks like. It is like holding a tiger by the tail.

There was a shot there, he played off the blue. He sussed out the red,

if he could play this hard, there was a good chance the black would

get moved and put into play. It is what happens and the rest is

history. This makes it even more hard for him. He looks nervous.

There's no doubt about. That safety shots. A long way from some long

pots. He needs to get a frame on the board and very quickly. Otherwise, a

sdeven said, he could lose the -- Stephen said, he would lose the

final. It is something we talked about before we got under way. I am

sure Mark was aware of that as everyone else is and clearly that is

making things more difficult for him.

A mid-session interval after this frame. He would love to take

something positive back to the dressing room, Mark Selby.

We show you this wonderful arena. It really is a theatre.

That's what they are playing for. The world cham World Championship

trophy. Tremendous pot from Ronnie.

He may play for a baulk colour here. Needs a good angle on the yellow.

He's not got it. I don't see how he can bring reds

into play here. When you all are full of confidence

it just comes naturally. This is a good effort though. Well, he

deserves it. He hit them absolutely perfect.

He got a lovely hien here just to catch the edge of the reds. If he

caught the middle nothing would have developed. Just enough pace.

That was the red he would have hoped to have been on. That other red

blocked the path to the pocket and the fact he's looking at the baulk

cushion for safety... Hit them very well.

That's always the problem, when you play that screw and it releases and

comes away from the red. A little unlucky not to have the red to the

far right corner. At least he's got a foot hole in the

frame. We've not been able to say that before!

Is there a gap through the middle of these reds? No. He can't get through

that. Wouldn't expect Ronnie to fall for something like that. He knew the

red wouldn't pass the yellow. It's not the most telling of safety

shots. Well, I was going to say Mark Selby

can slow it down a bit, but not after a pot like that!

Yes, I suppose he was a little bit unlucky there, Mark.

You would say it's not a clear-cut frame and a chance. In a couple of

shots' time that could all change. Think, brown, red, a nice angle on

green or yellow and come off one cushion and go into a bunch.

It must be a great feeling for Ronnie O'Sullivan coming out knowing

that you're full of confidence like this. We talked about the

intimidation that he has got over other players. It is a great feeling

when you think that they cannot beat you.

Has he let it slip? Mark Selby has a light at the end of the tunnel. That

is very rare. A little careless shot from Ronnie O'Sullivan. That will

annoy him. Apparently it wasn't touching when

he went to the table, but Ronnie did say to the referee, I know I cannot

get through to the red. If it was touching, it would favour Ronnie, it

would make the safety shot are a lot easier, so he is being very sporting

year. He will be disappointed he didn't make the most of this

opportunity. And Mark Selby, for once, will be very relieved.

A long way out, it has to be said. That is just purely the pressure

that is being put on him. Just didn't catch that red as he

would have liked. He is not perfect on the red to the right corner.

Looks like it might just go. It is very tight.

Two cannons that have gone the other way, not worked out as planned. The

first one that he missed, maybe just overcompensating a little bit. The

cue ball drifted a bit further left than he wanted. Another chance from

Mark Selby. This is as good a chance as he has

had. He played that well. This visit is

so important, just for his own self confidence and belief.

His heart must have been in his mouth.

Needs the cue ball to just bounced a little. Would have liked it to

bounce a little bit more. Pressure on everything at the

moment. That was well played. Had to rely a little bit on Ronnie's

mistakes, but two snookers needed now offer Ronnie. That means that

Ronnie will not now returned to the table. That means that Mark Selby

will now go to the mid-session interval with a frame on the

scoreboard. It will not matter about the green, I'm sure. Ronnie is

having a look at the situation. It is not like him to play on in these

situations, three snooker is needed. -- snookers needed. He will

be a little bit annoyed. He has had three opportunities in this frame

and did not make the most of them. And that will be enough. Ronnie nods

to the referee. That is the first frame on the scoreboard for Mark

Selby, frame on the scoreboard for Mark

his dressing room, but Ronnie O'Sullivan in fine form. He may be a

little bit disappointed that it is only 3-1.

Yes, a couple of cannons went wrong. Fans of Mark Selby will be relieved.

We have got Ken and John had we can breathe a sigh of relief and we can

talk with a bit more volume now! Your impression of the first four

frames? Ronnie in imperious form. You will be annoyed going into the

dressing room. Mark Selby will be relieved to get that frame on the

board. It was all Ronnie, but Mark Selby showed a lot of character with

a few difficult pots, he was rocking, but he has pulled himself

together and the match is on. How difficult is it to settle in A

final, particularly when you played so well to get here, many people

would suggest that you just roll on, not like that? Not against Ronnie

O'Sullivan in that form. Ronnie has had two simple cannons, he missed

the two reds, it was frame over. He got out of position. To be only two

behind after the way that session went, Mark Selby will be delighted.

I am sure you have many questions produce gentlemen and four Steve

Davis, and Steve will be doing a masterclass. You can treat him, sent

your questions. -- you can get him on Twitter, send your questions. It

has been a week of teasing and tormenting us from Richard Osman, as

this is the key moment, it is the final killer question in our quiz.

The final league table will shortly be unveiled, but not before you have

had a go also. It is the day of the final here at

the Crucible, so that means it is time for your final question.

Everybody has been doing well, who would be crowned the champ in this

afternoon? This is your final question. We gave 100 people 147

seconds to name anybody who has ever beaten Ronnie O'Sullivan here at the

Crucible. The best of luck to you all. Has anybody ever beaten him at

the Crucible? I'm flying solo, do I get double points? I want

half-point! David Gray. Alan McManus, I'm sure? Has Marco beaten

him? David Gray? John Parrott beat him. I beat him! I don't even

believe that! David Brady. Nigel Bond. I am liking Nigel Bond. We

will go with John Parrott. One of the first ones that I did, Ronnie

made a maximum against Marco Fu and still lost. If it is wrong, I take

no responsibility. I'm going to say David Gray. David Grace certainly

the final answer, and not the singer! -- David Gray is the final

answer. If it is right, I think it is a tournament winner. It is right.

It is to amend this. Shall we go? Darren Morgan. You have heard what

our religions have said, what do you think? Get in touch. We will reveal

the answers at the end of this interval and we will find out to the

champions are going to be. Join us shortly to find out to the champions

are going to be. Good luck. The reason I'm flying solo is

because Jason has gone off to do the football. Hello, Jason, I am sure

you are enjoying this final. Let's get to the station at Sheffield

because the trick shot expresses waiting for no one! -- express is

waiting for no one! I am a three-time world trick shot

champion. I put videos online, on YouTube, I

have about 10 million viewers. I have about 100 million viewers on

Chinese YouTube. I started doing trick shots when I was seven, I got

a pool table as a gift. I do not allowed to play. I go online and if

you can learn, you find a lot of trick shots. So, I saw some videos

and I started copying this. After a year, I was like, I know all of the

shots together, and they keep doing it, 60 years, they keep doing the

same shots. I started doing my own versions, and I put up my own

videos, and 60 videos later, I am still here, and I have created more

than a thousand new shots. We are so envious of that cue action

and we're envious of this man's brain! It is the size of a planet!

You have been testing as always. We will reveal the final answer

shortly, but firstly, I saw you watching the final session last

night of the semifinal, what did you make of it? Terrific, it went on a

while, nobody making any mistakes, Mark Selby was to reflect! What was

the fascination for you of snooker at the early days? I have always

loved it, it is so intriguing, one guy is having to sit there and take

it while one person does his thing, and it must be very difficult,

psychologically. The psychology is furry fascinating. 3-1 to Ronnie,

what do you think? I love Ronnie O'Sullivan, but after ripping Mark

Selby has done, I would love him to win a world title. It is a long

game. I saw somebody come back from it - zero down once. We will not go

there and! That is to be! We will leave him to cry in the corner. We

were talking about you has beaten Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Crucible,

people have been getting in touch, you went for Marco Fu. You went for

Darren Morgan. John Parrott went for himself. Letters have a look at the

scoreboard. Alan McManus would have scored you

seven. Mark Allen would have scored you ten. Mark Selby, 24. You never

know. Shall be reveal the final winners? Before we look at the

winners, let's take a look at the losers, easily in fifth place was

Willie and John Virgo, by quite a long way. Then in fourth place,

almost on the podium, that was yourself and Jason. In third place,

it was JP and Ken. Between yourself and Stephen and Dennis and Terry,

let us take a look at the winners. It is Dennis and Terry, I'm afraid!

Mark King was the problem. I thought he was in the top 16. Very well but

if you got any of those clever answers and very well done if you

beat 71 across the week. I am not sure who beat 71 across the week.

Lots of people got those seven points. You have been torturing us

as always, is there anything you would like to ask this man regarding

cue action? The one thing about playing, if you have a dead straight

pot this should be easy, but the second you are over it, your arm is

everywhere, should there be any easy, simple routine to knocking a

dead straight pot? The problem with messing up a shot as if you are not

lined up perfectly, you will miss the shot. The only real way to do it

is to come down into my office, so to speak. One way that you can

improve the straight hitting is to try to hit the ball up and down the

spots. Try your best. You need to try and hit it firm, not soft,

because it is easy soft. That is as absolutely perfect as you can get.

Do it again. You need to do at a more than once to prove it is not

luck. Hit it up and down over the spots. Once again, that is very,

very good. If you can head and get the ball to come back down over the

spots, so accurately, that you are doing it ten out of ten that it

comes back and hit the tip, then you can use that every time there is a

straight ball. But you have to be lined up on that shot. You look

pretty good in that apartment. Thank you. That is the right way to do it.

You will see on some club tables, there is a line-up for the spots.

Are you forgiving me for mocking? Yes! It has been great to see you.

Thank you very much. There has been unprecedented demand for tickets at

the Crucible this year, you have got to get in very quickly to get them

and you need to show a huge degree of commitments to get these tickets

and there is a couple in the audience today who have shown a

greater amount of that than anyone we have ever met. We are held and

Tony from New Zealand. -- Hilda and Tony. It has been magic.

I have lived in New Zealand now for 35 years. For me, it is one of the

things I always wanted to see, Ronnie O'Sullivan playing at the

Crucible. Bring Edu will miss it! The Rocket! Ronnie O'Sullivan! --

blink and you will miss it. We watch it so often on television, you just

get that one little picture, and when you come here, you get the

bigger picture and the vibrations and the feel of it. It puts a ten

goal into it. It is really exciting. I actually came to the Crucible for

a day trip and I found that the tickets were on sale and so, I

thought, I would just have to buy some tickets, so I bought tickets

for about half of the sessions and then I went home that night and I

scribe Tony hand I said, look at what I have got! A wonderful

surprise. I said, do you want to go, you said yes, so I went and bought

the rest of the tickets, but the only ones I could not get was the

once for the final. -- the ones for the finals. It is a marathon of

sitting. The first few days, it was difficult to sitting down, but we're

getting used to it now. We're not big sitters, boast of us. -- most of

us. And you have to keep still! It has been a lifelong thing for me,

playing the game. My mother is 85 and she knows that I love playing

snooker, but she thought I was coming here to play and... She was

asking how he was doing and Tony was saying, we're just here to watch!

Because we do play snooker, it is interesting to see what a really

good table is like and compare it to the ones that we play on at the

club. I cannot remember a professional playing on the table is

that we play on. It is just a great privilege to be here. It is such a

great theatre. It is not too big, it is nice and intimate. But standing

on the floor with the table, it would be quite daunting if you are

new to this theatre. It is just magic to be here. It really is. To

look comfortable? We go back home to the hotel and we put on the

television and we watch the snooker again. The one thing we would like

to solve is the fact we do not have tickets for the final. What a

wonderful story! We could not let their experience pass without

letting them onto the side of the hallowed carpet, please welcome

them! CHEERING Hilda, just briefly, what is it like

to be on this side of the arena, what a great experience?

It is beyond belief. It is amazing, just incredible. Lots more good

snooker to come, and a little birdie tells me that you have a soft spot

for a six time world champion, so he would like to come out and say

hello, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Steve Davis! APPLAUSE

Hello! I did not think I would ever feel like Cilla Black, but here we

are! As a special memento, we thought we would like to present to

you, I have signed the programme, it may not seem like much to you, but I

have signed a programme for you and outside a programme for you, so it

is on the inside, just open up the first bit. ! The significance of

this is, they had tickets for every session at every match apart from

the big climax tomorrow evening, that is no longer a problem, you

will be seeing them here in the arena late tomorrow night! Enjoy the

rest of the match and please come back next year! APPLAUSE

A fantastic story, and if anyone can, a Kiwi can, they are just

passing us by year! What is the allure of this place that makes Iya

Gavrilova wants to come here and sit here for 12 hours a day for 17

days? It is the venue, the electricity at the place, it is

electric, I came here as a young lad and sadder but they're watching and

I loved it from day one. As a spectator, you will not get a better

venue. Their experience started with you at the train station! Yes, we

were playing at the train station! Everybody beats me! You managed to

get to the second round, let's get back to business, serious business

for Mark Selby, after regrouping, one would think, what must his

attitude be coming into this session?

If he can come back - he's got a foot-hold now. He settled in. That

frame will give him great confidence. Anything more than that

is a bonus. OK, he's off and running and evidently so is the Rocket.

They haven't been play playing even for an hour and there's the average

frame time - under 14 minutes. It is so important for Mark Selby to take

-- it was so important for Mark Selby to take that last frame.

Ronnie at 94%. He's just been under-hitting some of

his safety shots in the first four frames. He's not been finding the

baulk cushion. He normally does that.

The success rate at 84%. Over the four sessions against Robertson, who

was over 90% for the whole match. He's missed a few pots, as you say.

His safety's not been at a great length. He's left it well short.

We all thought that semi-final would take a lot out of Mark. He is a fit

lad. He was around the hotel this morning and looked fresh after that

terrific win against Neil Robertson. Perhaps just can't see enough... So

long as he get gets... That's not what he wanted!

He might be OK though. Could possibleably take this on as a

shot to nothing. -- possibly.

He's caught the jaws of the -- possibly.

pocket again. Instead of it being a shot to nothing, he's left Ronnie

in. He risked that because the black was

over the pocket. He thought, if I can pot this and get a safety shot

at the same time, I'll have a chance of the black. He got pretty close to

the pot. That is why it stayed in the jaws of the pocket. It is still

not straightforward. Probably would like to get the pink

first rather than tie the black up. I think the black will be tied up.

In a couple of shots' time, he could get himself into the position to

bring it back into play. It is not going to be easy for him

here. That was not going to be easy! Faced

Faced with a tricky pink. You see the red above the black pots

into the right corner, but he cannot get himself into position to get

that and nudged away from the black. That is what his plan was but he's

not in the correct position to get on that red.

The pink spot is not available, so the highest available spot on this

occasion is the yellow. There is a red to the middle. If he can hit it

straight he can take it on. He's running into the other reds.

With the red at the other end of the table, it's not an easy situation

this. Very little available for Ronnie

here. I am not sure as he... If he hits

the cushion first and catches it correctly, he'll send the red back

up the table. A chance to get in behind the yellow but he would have

to be very precise with that. If he doesn't catch it correct he could

sevenld the red into the brown or the yellow and pink. Look where he's

hitting the cue ball. There's plenty of rom around the

black here. -- room around the black here.

Has it gone too much? It may have done.

He's pretty good with that type of shot.

Can he get through to the potting angle of the yellow? He can.

At first glance, I don't think he's done a lot of damage here.

I think he took his eye off the pot, was concentrating on to this cannon

on to the reds here. I think the brown is OK. It is

covering the one he pushed towards the corner pocket as we can see

there. That was a bit of a chance that Mark let slip. I was so

impressed with him last night, watching him against Neil Robertson

and the way he clinched the match was fabulous because it was very

difficult to pick a winner at that semi-final.

Fe he can get no worse than 5-3. He can still win the session, but 5-3,

or 4-4, would be happy after losing the first frames.

That is that red covered. He played it in such a way that the if he

didn't get the pink, the red would cover the red. There, you can see,

he played that very nicely. It's not an easy safety shot for Mark Selby

here. Just looking to see if he can prop

on the two reds. The brown's in the way. That is what he's faced with

there. If he got the red that is close

toast the pocket and got the white somewhere near the tip of his cue,

that's a little dangerous because there is a red available to the

right middle pocket. That's why he's having to give this

plenty of thought. The reason he cannot go over the

right side of the table - look where the white would hit the brown. The

brown is in the way there. That is why he's not considering that

escape. He thought, if he knocks it in the

middle pocket, all well and good, but I couldn't do much else.

His plan worked there. He thought long and hard before he

planned the escape, Mark. It has worked to his advantage.

Yes, and the key thing here, he knows that Ronnie will be even more

disappointed if Mark goes on to win this frame. Ronnie should obviously

have won the fourth frame, which Mark pinched. All of a sudden we

could be looking at a score line of 3-2 and he's right back into this

session. Mark be able to play now, to get on

to the red now, to get on the left of the two, just in a way that he

could bring the black into play and he's played it well. He can now pot

that. And flick the other red out of the

way. That's if that red passes the black. I mean, I was never sure that

it did. If it does, it's going to open the game right up for him.

There's the perfect picture over the shot you suggested.

It's OK because he looked at it. He can take the blue and that red will

go. That is the reason he choose not to cannon the red.

That's the problem ball out of the way and now a chance to score.

Will it be enough to close the gap to one?

So much room. Two inches shorter, two inches longer.

That is a shame! He had a good chance there. He was going to get

the extra seven points there. The ideal place would be to try and

get in behind the yellow. I don't know if he can do that, he'd have to

morph this red. So long as he gets on the baulk cushion, but...

. It could be a at thetial battle now with that over the pocket.

Gradually these reds may get pushed towards that black and we could have

a little bit of a stalemate. People have from New Zealand to

watch this championship. Here is a gentleman who is a really

good player, on the right of those two, is a Kenny called Kenny Shaay.

He's a prolific century break player from Canada. I think he knows we're

talking about him. It may be to do with the earpiece.

Kenny will be celebrating his 80th birthday shortly. He's a great

character. He's got to get the cue ball out

around the pink spot area to leave that red and difficult to control

the shot when the ball is so close to the pocket. Play it with a little

bit of drag. He's played it nicely. Looks perfect to me. He has the

choice. He can play either cannon. APPLAUSE

He did exactly as you said. It has just brought the one red into

play. He has to look for another anning toll get another cannon.

The cannon into the three, you're better from the right side of the

table. It was like a little trick shot he

played there. Superb! Of course he was an eight-ball world

pool champion, so he does see shots that some of the other players

wouldn't see. Definitely a bonus. He obviously knew they were bringing

the first out. This will be 30. Three reds, three colours. Just as

we said that... Well amazing! He was probably well

ahead of himself there. He was thinking about getting an angle on

the blue. The three reds, tied up by the black

and took his concentration off that pot.

He hasn't got the angle to cannon into the reds. He'll have to play it

into the single red. No good leaving the black from this

side. Sdrau back for the blue here.

-- screw back for the blue here. Now play the cannon on to the three reds

and if this works out, the chance to maybe pinch the frame.

Just didn't quite get that last shot as he intend. -- intended.

Played it well. Ronnie's shot there, he's on the blue. He tried to get

the white into the gap there but he probably didn't quite get into it,

as he intended. Oh, he hit that so poorly that he's

left the red. He would not have left the reds at all. Just of across

that, slightly. Well, he's looking at the balls and he knows that he's

left the lot here.