Friday, Semi-finals, Evening Snooker: World Championship

Friday night snooker. You cannot beat it. Hello, good evening to you.

Welcome to the Crucible. Both semi-finals set for an intriguing

finale this weekend. Tonight, we will concentrate on Scotland's

veteran Alan McManus looking to build on a very impressive session

this morning against Ding Junhui. Has to get a good start today... Has

to win this session. Wonderful...

An excellent shot. It is quite remarkable, Ken. Five

centres in five frames. Remarkable. He's able to knock the black in.

What a fabulous break it was. Ding Junhui now leads 7-2.

Wouldn't it be great if he could return with a great break just to

let Ding know he's not going away. A lovely shot. Very nice! Well played

Alan McManus. Some fantastic snooker.

I will just explain to everybody who is watching, this game is not as

easy as this. Amazing! Amazing! Witnessing some of

the best breaks we have ever seen. Ding Junhui absolutely on fire. He

doesn't realise it is the interval. It is now. Smiles all the way.

Nice shot. Alan McManus gets another frame on the board.

He's played it nicely. Played it lovely. A trick shot. Wait for the

black. This time it is really close. There we go, finishes off with a

trick shot. He takes a bow. Doing well now. The old tartan

trousers are bringing him a bit of luck. In goes the pink.

Well played. This has been a tremendous session

of snooker from both players. Both centres from Ding in the first

session. Five centuries between them in this

session. Let's see... Go on... They want to

see it. They love a trick shot. Come on! It's close. Go on! Ahhh!

Ding shakes his hand and what a session of snooker we've had. It is

Junhui who leads 9-p. -- 9-7. That was special. It was all Ding

Junhui on the front. We thought he would run away with it. Alan McManus

comes back out. Three centuries and four frames. Closes the gap to 9-7.

All of a sudden the momentum has swung. What is going on - he's 45.

Your nerve goes, what is happening? He comes out to the Water Front. He

should come out to Rolling Back the Years. He's done fabulously well. He

won three matches in the qualifiers and he's carried that momentum. He

had a good round game N this championship he's scoring heavily.

Like myself and Steve Davis, we wondered if he had a new super diet,

but he had a packet of crisps, it cannot be that.

Someone has clawed back into this match. He must be under pressure

tonight. All of a sudden, he's the hunted. He thought he would have a

bigger lead going into this session. All of a sudden... These opening

exchanges will be very important. More of the same please and Rob

Walker, it is all yours. THE COMMENTATOR: Good evening,

ladies and gentlemen. What an extraordinary match this is turning

oh tout be. 16 frames so far. Eight centuries. One more tonight would

see history written at the Betfred World Snooker Championships. This

has the makings of one of the all-time classic semi-finals. What a

night to be here at the Crucible. Please welcome a player who is

deucing the best snooker of his -- producing the best snooker of his

career 25 years a his Crucible debut. His three centuries this

morning were sublime. The 136 finish with an exhibition shot. You could

not make it up a. This run of form at the age of 45 is one of the

all-time great Crucible stories. He's taking it all in those giant

tartan strides, so raise the roof he's Alan the Angles McManus.

WHAT AN EQUALLY AMAZING PERFORMANCE FROM HIS OPPONENT SO FAR. Four

centuries this morning and 148 this morning. He's come through

qualifying and he's never played better so far so far at the

Crucible. Here comes a man carrying the weight of expectation of a

nation on his shoulders, enter the Dragon, Ding Junhui.

What is so amazing is after the cheers for both players, then comes

the silence. It is incredible stuff from Alan McManus. Look how relaxed

he is. Blowing kisses to the crowd he - he's loving it. Good evening to

Denis Taylor. Good evening Jason. Good evening,

everybody. I thought the performance Denis,

this morning, from Alan McManus was as good as I have seen from anybody

here at the Crucible, never mind somebody who you thought was in the

dwi light of his career. It was, I -- twilight of his career. It was. I

watched it from my hotel I was incredible. I enjoyed every ball

potted. He came out blowing kisses, but he had a little bit of a...

Whoops, hang on there, he didn't do it on purpose. He looked like Norman

Wisdom, he used to do that. When he got his knighthood, remember Norman

tripping away as he walked away from the Queen. The way Alan McManus has

played, at 9-3 I am starting to think Ding wants to get this over

with a session to spare. I tell you what, the way Alan finished the last

four frames was probably better than I have ever seen him play when he

was at his best, John. A chance, but never easy, tight

against the side cushion, as he was. Trying to drop it in for the black.

The only one he could leave was the one he was playing. That's in the

middle of the table. Ding Junhui may take the pot on.

It looks like he's going for the middle. Look at the pot success in

the second session this morning. 95%, Alan McManus. 94%, Ding Junhui.

That is unbelievable snooker. Ding Junhui had a half chance, as Alan

did, but he missed it. And Alan's got half a chance. He can

take this red on. He can play this in two ways. There

is someone in his eye's line, someone moving. He's having a word

with the referee. It is a matter of keeping still. You don't mind

someone in your eye line, so long as they are not moving around. Now, he

can play this in such a way that he could play for the black.

The only red he could leave was the one he took on.

And he's left a possible pot of that red up past the blue.

I have been looking around to see what's left.

That cue ball has just run away slightly. He's very close to the

side cushion. 75% long putt. For Ding Junhui, that's very good.

Digging in, it makes this blue missable.

Always makes it more difficult when you are striking down on the cue

ball. And it must be a bit of a shock to

his system, Denis, when you consider 9-3 and he's come into this third

session of the semi-final only two frames ahead.

Well, I am sure he had a good chat with Terry Griffiths who has been

looking after him. He would have explained forget about what has

happened, forget the 9-3 advantage, we start from here. It has to be at

the back of his mind. Even though you try to think positive.

And another thing, Denis, and it is very obvious, Alan's got the ground

on his side. A tremendous reception when he was

introduced by Rob Walker. Well, after the session, in the lift

of the hotel there was a gentleman in full Scottish dress, with his

kilt and a zimmer frame. He probably had a bit of a stroke or something,

but he was absolutely delighted. It had gone to watch Alan and he was

making his way back to his room. He was so looking forward to this

evening's session. A nice shot. It came off two

cushions. So long as he's not straight on this black, he's got

options of two or three reds to play for.

The angle required, maybe going to that cue ball a little bit too much.

I think he played to the left corner. He's on the one to the right

corner as well. He had a bit of a nosebleed this

morning, Alan, and had to have a tissue up his nose and I think there

might be a little bit still there. It's certainly not hindering him,

that's for sure. But the thing was, you expect Alan

to do a bit of grinding, he was winning the frames with two century

breaks. He was winning the frames in style.

That's the word, "Style." Very, very impressive.

And this is a good opportunity. A nice angle on the black, just to

stand for the red in the same pocket.

And still a couple of reds lose. Doesn't have to consider going into

them just yet. 68 would be the target to get to the

snookers required stage. If it was straight there would be no

hesitation. He wants to leave just enough angle on the black.

If you leave an angle on the ball, then it makes it that much easier to

get on the next ball. It looks to have landed nicely on the black.

Just seeing if there's another red available. There may be a plant.

There's a possible three-ball plant in there. He's thinking two or three

shots ahead. If he runs up bringing the blue out

of the pack, open a few reds up, so this is a very important shot coming

up. Playing it with top spin.

He would like to take that one again.

I think he needed a bit of stun and pace to bring the blues and reds

out. He's back looking at the plant. If

he plays a straightforward safety shot he could leave that on. He'll

have to leave the cue ball on behind one of the baulk colours: No he's

leaving it there because of that possible plant.

Alan McManus, 36. The blue is near the cushion. A

35-point advantage. That is pretty good with big colours tied up at the

moment. You would think he would have to

play this to half-ball safety. Just playing straight up and down is a

danger you could run into the blue. He needs to catch this half ball...

Oh, he's coming down the other side of the table. He's got to catch this

thin. He's concentrating on getting the cue ball back to the baulk end.

Bounces a little bit and Ding Junhui can't get past the pink. If there's

a red sticking out, then he has to be careful he doesn't run into the

blue here. With Alan's shot there is a chance here, got to miss the blue,

be be the chance to get behind that green and brown.

Could not have played that any better. A little tap on the table

there from Alan, who once again is looking reslen dent in that tarrant

-- tartan suit. Look at him picking this up. Yes, he must be very tidy

around the house, must Alan. The players cannot hear the

commentary, just the spectators with their headsets, which have to be

turned down sometimes. It can come out through the earpieces.

It is not bad. Miss hit that, but he'll settle for

the outcome. And it's Ding who's got advantage now because he can get

behind the green and brown. Might even bring the black into play

while attempting that shot. He's got to catch this one better.

He caught the last safety shot too thick.

And this time too thin. Much too thin.

This is a bit of a test. He rarely misses this type of shot. Let's see

if he has settled here this evening. Not quite. So just a few worrying

signs early on here for Ding Junhui. I am not sure what he's signalled

there. The referee has spotted something. A switch down here making

noises. There is some noise coming from, whether it is backstage or

not, I am not sure. Of course it is so quiet in the Crucible when you

get down to the semi-final stage. There is only one table there. There

is no noise or distraction from the other table.

Half an attempt at the plant. Catching the black, he's not got a

very good cue ball. You would think just below the pink,

just cut back into the left corner. It's a thin one.

Is he on a colour? Not good. Left with a nervy little shot, he

needs to roll up behind the yellow or the black, because these cloths

are so fast. Even that shot can be a little bit tricky. But the way the

reds are, if he could get a snooker here, what an advantage he could

gain. Can he judge it? I am just looking at it immediately,

there's no easy red to lay on. The one to the left spot near the

cushion, if he could land on that he will leave the one to the right.

He'll have to give this a little bit of thought.

So McManus will be tested here. It looks like he's preparing for the

two-cushion escape with pace here. He may flick that red to the left of

the pink. Judged it to perfection. Living up to his name there.

He is even getting whistles from the crowd now. That was a terrific

escape. Got to be careful here if he takes

the red on he doesn't cannon the red...

He's back in the same spot again. Can he judge the shot as he did

previously? The last time he played it, he

played a little bit of drag on the cue ball so he could hit it firmer.

That slowed it up. Now he's tight to the cushion, that's not an option.

If he rolls to it, he has got to do it dead weight. I think he's trying

to get the cue ball back to the baulk cushion here. Trickle up to

the yellow. Doesn't want to leave it short.

Hit it too hard. No snooker for me there.

It all depends how much of this red that Alan can see. Can't see the one

to the right. He may have to play the one on to the red and blue and

screw back into the baulk area. If he can play it thin off that

would be better. I think that is a shot he's attempting.

Well judged. Can you check the volume of your

earpieces, please. Some are a bit loud, thank you.

The referee just telling the audience, just check your earpieces

and turn them down a little. It is a pretty good shot there.

That's the modern way these days - lots of the spectators have

earpieces. It never used to be the case. Sometimes it makes it a little

bit difficult for us John, when we comment tat for the people at home.

People turn up at the venues and they want to have the earpieces.

S We have not had many at thetial battles in this match. Most of the

frames have been won with one visit. The average frame time just over 17

minutes. The average shot time, that's far

from pedestrian, that's for sure. This is a key frame because if Alan

takes it John and wins five frames in a row Ding Junhui will be under

all sorts of pressure. I think he's under pressure now. Looking at this

red to the right corner, but he can't play that. If he runs into

those reds on the left-hand side of the table. He's got to hit this just

right. And he has done. That is an

excellent safety. APPLAUSE

Of course Angles can. Well played. Maybe a bit of a shot to nothing

here, John. What do you think if he... Well Alan could not have done

much more than he did, to be honest with you. The one in the middle of

the table, just below the pink, but nothing that easy and so far this

evening, OK, Ding Junhui has sneaked in a few long pots, but he's not

played them with great confidence to stop short of the baulk line.

33 points behind, he knows if he takes a risky pot on and misses it,

Alan McManus with his chance could clinch this frame.

A good pot. And that time he played with more

confidence and stopped short of the baulk line.

He's way ahead in the long pots success department.

A couple of difficult reds. Oh, good job he did not hit it any

harder, he would have knocked the blue in. He did not intend to cannon

the blue, that is for sure. This red just slightly off the cushion but he

is tempted by it because he only has two drop it in and he will be on the

blue. That will be an awkward red, later in this visit. Still 28

behind. And I don't think he has got the angle to pot the red and move

the difficult one of the cushion because the blue is over the pocket.

He's looking but I don't think it is a natural angle to do that. It is

always a bit risky, you know, potting a red and trying to develop

a red but with the blue near the pocket, if the angle was there, he

would play it. Just made sure of getting nicely on his next Carla.

The angle was not there to bring one of the difficult read into play. --

his next Carlo. And sometimes, the tactical frames can be as exciting

as the ones that are won with one visit.

Yes, nice positional shot but now the work starts. The three reds

after this one are all very awkwardly placed.

He could play the pink, here. Spin across for the red on the right-hand

side of the table. The reason I say that, you could just roll the red in

but he knows that the blue is going to be makeable, even if he is tight

against the cushion. So, stunning across for the red on the right-hand

side of the table. Well, I'm very surprised he did not play for it. He

is taking this one along the top cushion. I think you try to cannon

it out, John, and he knew if he did not quite get the cannon, he would

always have the other red. Yes but it looked to me as though he could

have stunned in behind it and rolled it down the cushion. Those two reds

on the side cushion are big problems if he is going to win the frame with

this visit. Even here, she could take the risk

of potting this and moving that red that is to the left of the blue but

it is all about the pot, that is the main thing, you have to make sure of

it. He has tried to develop it and he has developed the red. Nicely

played. Yeah, that was an excellent shot.

Gives him a chance but it is not the best chance.

If he finishes dead straight on this red to the middle, you can leave the

white where the red ears and look at the angle he has on the pink to get

over to that red. Not bad. Just coming around to have a look. Where

could he leave the cue ball? And then, he would be faced with the

shot you suggested, dropping in behind the red, or trying to develop

it. Five hours of fascinating snooker, we have had in this

semifinal. So, if he can't move the red, he

will drop in behind it. Well, if he is looking this close, I

think he would like to pot the pink and move the red away from the

cushion. He has got the perfect angle to drop behind it but he would

like to move it, by the looks of it. And he did move it away from the

cushion. Well played. Well, when he started this break,

there were three reds that were awkward. And he has played this to

perfection, it has to be said. He did look very edgy at the start

of this frame but if he can somehow go on to take it with this fabulous

clearance, is confident will be fully restored. -- his confidence.

It all depends what kind of angle he has got on the blue. Has he got the

natural angle to pot the blue and run onto the black? If he catches

the black full ball, he will be on the yellow to the middle. If he

hasn't, he's not certain to get good position on this yellow. And with

the green not being on its spot, it is a bit trickier than it would have

been normally. APPLAUSE

I think he is dead straight on the yellow -- I don't think he is dead

straight on the yellow but he should be OK. The brown is blocking the

green somewhat, but he should be fine. This could be a big turning

point in the match because Alan looked all set to win another frame

and make it five in a row. It needs to keep coming. He could be

snooker that. What a shot he has played, there. He had so much margin

for whereas and he decelerated and never hit it. He could have finished

another 12 inches, almost two feet up the table and been on the brown.

Now he needs a bit of good fortune to knock this safe. Ding Junhui, 41.

APPLAUSE Well, what an opportunity he has

missed, there. And Alan McManus, I don't think he can believe he is

still in this frame. He is eight points behind. But just to be back

at the table with a chance is a bonus. What was Ding Junhui thinking

of, there are, when he played that green? Anything but short!

This is a big frame, now. That brown needs to travel. He does not want to

leave a pot on four Ding because he has been knocking in a fume long

ones. A quick glance at the scoreboard. Ding needs brown and

blue. Is the brown were the risk? He can cut it. -- worth the risk. It is

one of those because it is a thing cut, if he missed it and got close,

it could stay in the jaws of the pocket. This is a big decision.

He is back looking at the potting angle. It just depends how he feels.

He is not absolutely sure. Is there a straightforward safety with the

chance of getting a snooker? It might be the better option. Well, in

the end, he played the pot but... It was not very close. If anything, he

went on the side of hitting it too thin when normally you would go on

the side of hitting it not been enough. We'll Alan be tempted? --

not been enough. It has been chilly in Sheffield, as

we see Ding Junhui blowing into his hands. Now the experience of Alan

McManus. It looks too risky. Has he got the snooker? He has. If you can

get your opponents sniggered at this stage of the frame, you become

favourite. Easy hit but can he get it safe? Can he get it safe? Oh, it

is going over the corner pocket, as long as it does not go tight, it is

a chance. The white is tight on the cushion but the brown is certainly

not. Listen, it looks easy but with the cue ball tucked up on the

cushion, it is tough. The white will automatically come towards the blue.

What an opening frame this is turning out to be. Yes, you have do

hit the middle of the cue ball, here, and trust the table. This is a

chance. An unexpected one. It is there. APPLAUSE

The cue ball needs to slow down. As long as it is not on the cushion, he

won't mind. He has got a cut to the right middle. Four points in it.

Alan McManus will need blue, pink and black. Ding Junhui, this would

hurt him. He looked all over the winner of this frame when he was

perfect on the green and snooker to himself on the brown. -- snooker and

-- sniggered himself. Cut to the middle looks the obvious choice.

Good pot and if this cue ball runs like I think it will, he is going to

be on the pink. Just! Well, it is a thin one. The white will have to go

crawl twice across the table. If he pots this, Ding Junhui could still

draw with the black so he needs the black as well. Can he get it twice

across and behind the black? Can he pot the pink? I think if he popped

the pink, he is bound to be -- if he pots the pink, news bound to be on

the black. I think he is going to be on the black if it runs, if it runs!

Just on it. It cuts. It's there! Well, what a frame! Alan

McManus took his seat and thought that it was gone. Ding Junhui, so

disappointed! He was perfect on the green and underhit it. Only he knows

why. And Alan McManus got labour prefab grabbed it with both hands.

Now he trails by one. -- got a reprieve. STUDIO: At 33 minutes and

36 seconds, the second longest frame of the match so far. We seen a few

dramas in the Chris Bull over the years but what a frame of snooker

that was under couple of things happened. Ding Junhui will be

kicking himself. He nearly made the best parents of the championship. He

is on the green and he can drop this in with left-hand side, come between

brown and black, stun it around but the one thing you don't want to do

is get too much side, get to the cue ball and leave it there. If it is a

bit of side, he's got so much width to play into but he snooker to

himself. Alan McManus potted a great brown and a fantastic blue, the pink

was not a gimme and even the black at the end, even though he was seven

ahead, a great frame and what he needed. I think Ding missed a trick,

there was a safety, the boys mentioned he could clip the brown

but he could have played it in a way when he would not have been near the

blue and Alan McManus play the shot to snooker him and that is what Ding

should have done. It was a massive target to get a snooker behind but

that is what Ding should have done. That is where he got the chance

because Ding got the snooker and not the brown over the green pocket. A

fantastic shop and a great choice from Alan McManus. I certainly hope

that the viewers at home are getting the sense of occasion this evening.

I'd tell you something, Alan McManus looks so relaxed. It's unbelievable

and the boys are right, the crowd are right behind him. COMMENTATOR:

Ding Junhui breaks off. Probably in a bit of shock. I mean, Alan, we

talked about in being relaxed but have a look at this in between

frames! He's got a few friends in the audience and he spotted them and

gave them a double wave and a smile. I think he's enjoying himself,

there. -- a little wave. It is a fairy tale story, John, when you

think about it. Everyone thought Alan McManus had retired from the

grain. -- from the game. It's incredible and you know what it is

like when you get in the twilight of your grid, it is hard to enjoy the

heat of battle, the semifinal of a World Championship. -- of your

career. It is a fantastic story and he should be so proud of himself.

I'm certain everybody in Scotland is. Superb.

Just got back safety a little bit too thin. -- that safety.

APPLAUSE Great shot.

Great players, when their backs are against the war and they are asked a

question, he is still leading 9-8 but he has lost five frames in a

row. Sometimes, they have an inner strength and they produced their

best. Just a little bit awkward, you

because he cannot pot the black and go straight into the bunch. He has

two reds guaranteed but that red is slightly in the way of screwing into

the bunch. He has just knocked that one on the

side cushion. That is going to be a difficult pack to go into, now.

And if he is straight on the black, he's just going to have to play for

the single read up into the corner, past the blue and yellow. -- single

red. And he is almost straight. Now, this will be another confidence

booster, if he cannot this in. -- if he can knock this in.

GASPS FROM CROWD It looked as though it was in. Stop

calling out, please. Quite right, you don't want to be shouting, "Come

on, Alan", when he comes to the table and there's nothing for him to

have a go at so there's no need for them to be shouting. In between

frames, it's great to have the atmosphere but not shouting out at

that point. Is he playing a cross double on this read, hear? He is

doing. -- on this red, here. The only reason you don't like playing

doubles is because if they don't go in, you are never certain whether

red is going to finish and he has left it on. -- where the red. It is

a misjudgement which has gifted Ding Junhui a chance, and he knows that

he has got Ding Junhui under pressure. You don't want to give him

easy opportunities. Now it is imperative that of this

red, he gets a nice angle on a colour. He will probably be playing

for a ball colour but I don't guarantee him getting that for the

blue. -- for a baulk colour. It looks like the yellow is the one,

that Green would have done. If he can judge the cannon, he is in good

shape. Plenty of left-hand side of the side cushion, and anywhere into

the reds would do. APPLAUSE He has dropped the cue ball in

amongst them. Well, I say that but can he get through to the red on the

right corner? Surely, it looks as though he can. He can't! Well, how

unlucky is that? He's got the red closest to the cue ball, but he

deserves something easier than this. He could miss this.

I told you he could miss this. A straight red to the corner, it would

have been. Now it's an easier red than that. View of early unlucky, as

we show you the attempt at the cutback which almost went in. It

wobbled, four or five times. It is always difficult to control this,

when the red is right over the pocket. You can't play it with drag

because he is close. But the pink is there so if he is a bit too far from

the black, he has got the pink. Playing it cushion first. APPLAUSE

And you mentioned how proud they will be in Scotland. I can tell you

who will be watching, a big snooker fan, the former First Minister, Alex

Salmond. His father is a snooker not, loves the game of snooker. I

met Alex up at a golf tournament and he said his dad absolutely loves

snooker. But it is amazing, though, isn't it?

We always say this game is all about fractions. There's 22 balls on a 12

foot 6' table and when Ding Junhui went into the middle, it looked as

though it was perfect. -- 12 foot, by six foot table. But just one red

covering the other left him an awkward cut, and I mean, the way he

hit this yellow, he hit it right in the heart and I thought it was

perfect. But the reds were just covering one another.

Oh, does it drop? Does it drop? Just caught the near jaw.

Should be OK. There's a red just above the black spot. As I say, when

they are right in the jaws of the pocket, it is a little bit tricky,

judging the position. It has come up a little bit short.

But it should not be a problem. He can just had up towards the blue and

then back for the reds, those four reds, he does not have too play any

cannons, they are going to clear each other. So, they are there for

the taking. He just has to go away from the black for one shot, and as

long as he gets nicely on the colour.

Nine. Absolutely perfect. Two reds, with the four available, into the

left corner. And as they are removed, it will clear the path for

the two reds nearest the pink to the opposite corner. So it is a great

chance, now. So, that black, it just finished

right in the jaws of the pocket and it has cost Alan McManus, you would

have do say, here. If it had dropped in, as we show you it again, it just

needed a bit more pace, it just touched the near jaw and did not

drop. And this is a huge frame for Ding Junhui, it has to be said. He's

lost five in a row. A couple more pots, and he is back on track.

APPLAUSE He will certainly be feeling a

little better, now. It does not really matter whether he

pots the brown and gets up to the blue. He would like to clear the

remaining colours but he has done what is required.

APPLAUSE Powered in the brown.

This is a very classy frame that Ding Junhui has played, here.

And there is one of those lovely power, stun run through shots. So he

has stopped the rot. He lost five frames in a row but what a way to

stop the rot. That was a magnificent break of 80. Ding Junhui is back two

in front, 10-8. STUDIO: A fantastic performance from

Ding as he must have been totally shocked by what happened in the

first frame of the evening session. Let's look at the situation on the

table. Ding Junhui is on the green and as John Parrott said, he had two

choices of positional shot, either playing the green off the back

cushion and through the gap. That looked like the right shot to play,

to me, it did not look too difficult. Possibly it was a bit too

thin but I'm not sure. All he could have played what he did, round the

back of the black and into position on the brown, which had one big

problem, this lack. What happened? Ding Junhui underhit the shot. Let's

come to the table where I have said the balls up exactly as they are on

the screen. Look at the situation as a player in three-dimensional as

opposed to the two-dimensional, I look at the green and think, OK, I

can pot this dream. Go off the bottom push on and possibly drop it

in and round the back of the brown. And I can naturally come up on the

brown. That way, you guarantee that you take the black out of the

equation. I've got another green that I prepared earlier. There's the

white ball, about there. It is quite a nice shot and if you play these

done around the back of the black and underhit it. -- the stun.

Suddenly, you get sniggered on the black, so if you underhit, you could

go past the black and if you are overhit, you can go too far but I

don't understand what Ding was thinking at that moment. Alan

McManus to break. I don't think he had a clear mind. I

think he got to the table. He potted, because the green wasn't on

his spot, he concentrated on the yellow. He had gone perfect on the

green and just a little bit of tension at the time. We know that

sometimes, and we are not just showing this, he has shown a

weakness when it has come to the crunch in frames. Alan McManus needs

to stay close and keep asking him questions.

But that is the only thing I can think of. Steve explained there,

just a plain ball, pot between the green and black. Why would stun

around, maybe thought it would give him more feel to push the cue

through and have to play a delicate shot.

The only thing which happened in the last frame to me is that Alan just

kept leaving Ding Junhui one or two long shots for nothing and this

young man, when he's in the mood, can pot anything. He's got to play

better safety than what he's been doing. It is risky leaving this

young man a pot on. It will keep the pressure on him.

He will see how it played out. A medium range chance for Alan

McManus here. It is amazing watching Alan pot that

type of shot, as his head just moves gently up before he delivers the

cue. He's always played that way. He delivers the cue in a straight

line. He can see the head coming up and then straight in.

There's one lose red available to the right corner. He's got a perfect

angle to bring reds into play, or maybe play a bit more gently to the

left of the pink and just nudge into the three reds to the left of the

pink. Try to play... Oh, I tell you what,

if he had caught that ball that would have been perfect. He's OK.

He's on a pot. Six. If he had flicked that red a

bit thicker, it would have been absolutely perfect.

As I say, he can pot this red, but I don't think the black is available

into this right corner. He will probably have to go back up

for the blue. He's getting the chances and he

needs to make the most of them. It is going to finish a bit awkward.

He really is totally relaxed out there, Alan McManus. Have a look at

this. This spin, the extension around,

he's having fun out there. One lose thread on the side of the

cluster, but he can stun one or two cushions there, but he's got to

avoid the kiss on the yellow. He's played this beautifully. I tell

you what, this is top class. OK, maybe another foot of run would

have been ideal. Ten. As I say, the black won't go to the

right corner, so he may have an angle just to pot this and go around

the back of the black. Well, decided to play it with pace.

I don't think the blacks on now. The thing you have to admire is he's

playing the correct shot and he's not holding back. He's not just

trying to slow Ding Junhui down. That is a bit careless to get the

double-kiss. This is tough.

Just off straight. Sometimes you can follow this in.

That was never easy. Where is the red going to finish? Where is the

cue ball going to finish? When Ding Junhui won the first five

frames of this match he was potting everything, made the acceptureries,

you thought, this will -- centuries, you thought, this will be over with

the session to spare. He's not letting anyone down. He's

taking his chances still. This isn't an easy one, of course.

The black tied up. The pink unavailable.

Is it worth it to pot the brown. Bringing some reds into play may

release the pink. It may be worth the risk. I think he's got the angle

to do that. He's cueing down, so he's not playing that cannon.

Now, let's see what he's got up his sleeve here.

No, he's finished awkward. That choice that you suggested,

John, previously when he potted the brown was on with top spin.

Got the double-kiss again. The way he was reacting it was as if the

white drifted slightly. Sometimes it can do. You can going against the

knap of the cloth. Sometimes if you get a little trace aside, instead of

being tight on the cushion, a double-kiss led the white away from

the cushion. It is not a plant, surely t two reds.

That will infuriate Alan if he knocks the plant in. It is almost

on. It is going slightly to the left of the pocket. But with a slight

adjustment he can make this plant. Alan can only sit and see what the

outcome is going to be. He shouldn't have been there with the cue ball.

But, as happens a lot of times, you play a plant, you forget about the

cue ball, but look where he'll put it now.

He could have been better with being tight to

Oh, he's gone the wrong side of it. That's... That's a mistake you don't

normally see from Alan. He knows his angles so well.

Pink is available. No problem getting up for the blue.

It is a nice angle to leave the pink for the left of the middle pocket.

Well the pink went in, but the drop of the arm tells me he's not perfect

on this red. I always look at the body language

of a player. You get used to it when you are sat the table, that gives

you a clue as to whether they are good or not and he's not good on

this red, by my means. -- any means. A bit of work to do

with the cue ball. He could play for the black, but that would be a

tricky black along the top cushion. This is not straightforward.

It was a tough pot that, playing it with pace. Now what's he left? I

think he may have gotten away with it, John, as we show you the red in

the mid-. At first glance I think it is pretty safe. This one may cut

back, but it is a very thin one. Just wondering about the red closest

to the cue ball. If he had done that, he would have the pink into

the opposite middle. I know it is a narrow angle, but maybe worth it.

He's just looking to see if he should have a go at that. What he

might leave, but what a pot this would be from this angle.

I thought it was worth the risk, because he was on the pink. He knew

it wasn't going to be a sitter left for Ding Junhui.

This is equally as difficult as Alan's shot.

Just about OK, so long as you stop short of the baulk line, you know

you've got the colour on once you have reached that white line or past

it. One of the baulk colours becomes a

thin cut. Just short of the line there.

May have to play a cannon here on the three reds, just to the left of

the pink. It would be unlucky not to be on

one. You always have that risk when playing these cannons.

He obviously thinks he could risk out by playing for a red.

He's on this one, just nicely, be on the pink to the right middle.

Can he get on the pink? Yes, he can.

A good chance now. It is quite a low number he's

looking for. 56, leaving Alan a snooker.

He's the best in the business. Up there in the top two of

break-building and keeping close control like this. He really is.

He's not happy where he's finished on the pink. This pink and those

three reds and three more pinks would put him 41 points in front,

with 35 remaining. Could hold the spot if he wants

here. He's played it in such a way there's

plenty of room for the pink. Needs to keep running. It has come

up a little bit short. Another few inches. Leave the two reds for the

right corner. Now it is a little bit more awkward.

It shouldn't be a problem. I think he can still hold for those if he

just drops it in. This pink, if he pots it and gets

position on the red just below it, then it is frame over.

Right in the heart of the pocket. Alan McManus did have an

opportunity. Ding's confidence is fully restored

again. Frame 18, with a huge frame in the context of this semi-final.

He'd lost five in a row. And the fact that he won, and he wob

it with an 80 break -- won it with an 80 break, he's really on track

again. Didn't really about the pink.

There's another concession. Ding Junhui, I am not convinced he's

100%. I would think he would be concerned, but of would be if Alan

McManus can keep the pressure on. Now Alan McManus is three behind. 11

Ding Junhui has done it many times in this match. In the context of

this semi-final, perhaps the most important? Yes. I would think so.

What has been most impressive is whenever he's pressed in any

matches, he's always had an answer and his attitude has been absolutely

A 1 all the way through this event. In the past stiemss he has been

questioned about his bottle -- sometimes he has been questioned

about his bottle and when it is up to him, not one-frame visits, like

to win the frame, but still he showed a lot of character,

particularly after that from Alan McManus, winning five in a row,

coming back. He showed some character, steel and composure.

Denis made a good point in commentary saying he can see the

confidence coming back. It is reminisce sent of the opening three,

four, five frames. It is very important to stamp your authority

back on the match again. As I say, I think his attitude has been great

all the way through the event. If he wins the ones ones that 12-8 at the

intervool, that is a massive score -- interval. That is a massive score

line. The lads have talked that Ding was out of the top 16. Some of our

viewers who have not been here for the last 14 days, Ding has had to

qualify for this and maybe the pressure is off him. He fell outside

the top 16. So he's had to win those three qualifying matches. I think it

is probably the best thing that had to happen to him. He got more

confidence from winning those three matches in the qualifier. He's come

to this first round of the World Championship with momentum,

confidence which was lost and he's got stronger and stronger and

stronger as the tournaments go on. In a strange sort of way, it may

have been the best thing for him. No problem. He should be able to

find the gap back down the table here.

I watched that match that Ding played in the China open.

I have never seen him play so badly. It has worked in his favour. He has

come in under the radar and now he's one of the favourites to lift this

year's Betfred trophy. Have a look at the result there. It

was a great pot, but look at the outcome.

Well, a mid-session interval coming up. How many will he make from this

position? That was quite incredible how he finished up on the black. He

got the main part of that last shot was potting the red. What a result.

Look at this, it was a great pot. He couldn't control the cue ball, but

cannoned the black. To push it on the way he did was

amazing. Just looking at that he was trying

to screw around the back of the black. Kissing it full in the face,

had been snookered and on nothing. Now it is not beyond the realms of

possibility that we could have a maximum. All the reds are nicely

situated in this third of the table. He had made six maximum breaks, Ding

Junhui. Just have another look at this, how

the black was can nobodied into. Look at that -- cannoned into. Look

at that, he finished on it. He just plays a little cannon on the

red, or on to the pink itself he will leave himself with a red to the

right corner. He's got the nice angle on the black to do that. If

he's not on the one to the right corner, he would be on one to the

left. I don't think there's too much risk

involved in this. Just hit the red and then the pink.

As you say, still on this red to the right corner. Once he gets around

about the 64, 72 mark, if it is still all blacks, there'll only be

one thing on his mind and that will be maximum.

It doesn't matter the fact he's straight on the black, but look at

the reds. You can see what he's doing with the

cue there. He's got that 147 on his mind -

that's for certain. There'll be someone possibly in the

champion's lounge watching this. The gentleman who made the first break

at the Crucible Theatre, Chris is over for the last four days.

And his maximum started with a fluke red across the top cushion. Could

Ding make a maximum with that fluke position on the black?

It has gone very quiet in the Crucible.

They sense something special could happen here.

We are in the snookers required stage. Practically one more red

needed after this black. So, I would be amazed if he saw

anything after a red. Going for the black w the maximum break.

?10,000 for the high break and a ?20,000 bonus for a maximum break.

Well, I'm starting to get tense. I don't know what the crowd's like.

There'll be a lot of people who've never seen a maximum break before.

It's OK. In fact, you could roll this in, can in the red just below

it and stay on the black or decide to screw in and off the side

cushion. -- cannon in. He held it well. He may have to play a default

cannon, here. Just to get the cue ball back into the middle of the

table. Just the one ready macro is a little awkward, the one nearest the

left side cushion and it is well away from the cushion. -- the one

red. There is that little cannon. Well played. APPLAUSE

The tension is going to build. We have had eight centuries in this

semifinal. This would be a record, if he gets the century break.

There's never been nine centuries made, anywhere, in a semifinal. So,

this is for the record books. CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Oh, he has come up a little bit short! He needed another six inches

on the cue ball and he would have been perfect. He's going to have to

leave an awkward black. If he's going to go around the ankles, he's

got to avoid all the colours and if he drops it in, it is a tough black.

He is coming around to see what kind of angle he could leave. Just a

fraction short, there. APPLAUSE

He has done it. We saw it in the Welsh Open this year, Ronnie

O'Sullivan decided not to go for the black of the banal to Matt red and

made a 146. That won't apply in this case? And who made a 147 in that

tournament? Ding Junhui. Come on, son, don't let us down. Get in

there, and he has got the side on it! APPLAUSE

What a black, played with lots of side, to get towards the red. He

needs another good one. This is more difficult than the black.

Yes, it's there! Oh, look where the cue ball has gone! Well, even Alan

McManus would love to see Ding cut this black in and get on the yellow.

Well, there's been ten maximums made at the Crucible. Oh, he has overcut

it! What a shame! But what an effort from Ding Junhui. A chance of making

a maximum break and look what it would have meant to the Chinese

player, but more important, that century break has given him another

frame. He goes to the mid-session interval leading 12-8. Unlucky for

Ding Junhui. STUDIO: Well, amazing scenes at the Crucible. John Parrott

and Ken Doherty, we are sitting in the studio, willing Ding Junhui to

get a maximum. How amazing from the crowd, a standing ovation for him?

It was a breed the 10th and it was the back to the second last red, not

enough reverse side on it to bring it up the table and after that he

was scrapping for position. He did brilliantly while to get the two

reds to have a chance of the black but the last one was smelly. It was

difficult with such a fine cut into the corner pocket. It is difficult

because he's trying to hold it as well for the yellow. Just too much

side on it and hit it to the far jaw of the pocket but what a commended

break. It was just wonderful. To be honest, it is the thing the match

has been missing because it had absolutely everything and a maximum

would have capped it. It was a great moment in here when John says, "He

has just got to ping this". The last red E ported to come over, it pained

of aggression and he was looking as if to say where has that come from?

But a brilliant attempt. In the context of the match, Ding has

really found his rhythm. Yes and another century. I hope he won't be

too disappointed about it, rather happy he's got another century and

another frame on the board. OK, the chance was gone for the maximum but

he has established a four frame lead as well. And the interval has come

at a good double stop it is a great attempt, lost it 15 minutes, go and

have a cup of tea and have a talk and then come out with a match to

win. Kyren Wilson still has the top breaks over at the Chris Bull so a

sigh of relief for him, 143 in his last match. Let's go do Steve Davis

and a special guest. Dennis Taylor mentioned there was an

interested person watching in the players' room and it's a pleasure to

welcome Cliff Thorburn who made the first 147 break up the Crucible. It

was 1983, April the 23rd, about 11:50am! And how much money did you

win for it? I know I spent it! It was something around ?13,000. The

pink or the fantastic shot, nicely placed on it. You played some great

shots along the way but this black was very, very easy under certain

circumstances but not with the pressure you must have been feeling.

I was feeling good. All I said to myself or that I wanted to make it

straight in, not touching the sides or the jaws. It went straight in and

you felt to your knees, marvellous, what a feeling. I was so happy. And

the crowd as well, cheering, the first time at the Crucible. And a

big group hug which was marvellous. It was fantastic. And that was to go

3-1 up! And then you walked back to the dressing room. With some

euphoria, of course. I felt fantastic. And then this young boy

asked me for my autograph and I could not even sign my name! I mean,

if I would have felt like that signing my name, actually shooting

the black ball, I mean, I would have had to quit professionally because I

could not even sign my name for this young kid. My hand was flapping

around. It was a funny moment. But I had some time to regroup. Finally,

you won the match 13-12. Exciting finish, I suppose, in many ways?

Yes, I went in front, 12-9 and then Terry made I think, two breaks of 99

and then I made a 75 in the last frame at 3am. People say it ended

late but we did not start until 930 B! I'm just saying because they did

not pull players of then and Eddie Charlton was in front of us. I just

had to throw that in there. -- 9:30pm. How do you think Ding is

feeling now? I think that came at a good time. He is happy to have won

three frames but now he's got time to regroup, to forget about that

disappointment. I have set this black up for you to play it but we

don't have enough time. We have to go back to the studio.

Thank you very much and I'm pretty sure I speak on behalf of a

generation of young sports fans who were watching TV at the time and I

remember watching from my living room in Cardiff when I was a boy,

watching live TV and standing up and being totally ecstatic. I was 250

miles away from Sheffield. It was a special moment in sport, and great

forklifts because he's a wonderful fellow and we love him. It is great

to have him every year, he turns up and his wonderful company and he was

a top-class player. -- great for Cliff. Nearly broke Terry's neck

when he grabbed in! And lovely to see big bill. You would remember

that hug, wouldn't you? And another lovely moment from the archive, a

shot of one of the Crucible seat and they have not changed since he made

the 147. Amazing stuff. I don't know what you have planned for tomorrow

evening after the snooker, the live coverage from the Chris Bull but may

I suggest you watched The Rack Pack because if you love those days, you

will love this. Retain Higgins. I'm an entertainer. Please welcome Steve

Davis! I'm going to make you would be very rich. I hope that is your

snooker cue! This will be the break of the tournament.

We have to tell the story of how snooker went from the back rooms of

the small clubs to become this massive national sporting event. It

is the story of the characters and people behind that. You have got the

people who were burgeoning Management, like Barry Hearn, making

it professional and organised, commercialised, the sport and then

you have got to be more natural talents of people like Higgins and

Jimmy White who were these great folk heroes of their day. How are

you? Hi, Alex! How are you? Excuse me. I was wondering if he might

provide me with some information about the tables and the facilities

in this establishment. You know what? What the pockets are like and

the slate. Do you need me to call your mum? No matter how many times

you looked at it, he transformed the game, Steve Davis, with Barry Hearn.

And Higgins, his shadow hangs over that whole era. Yes! You know, I'm

sorry but I can't keep my eyes open. What do you say we make this

interesting? If you say so, Alex. They became the two opposing forces,

if you like, that seemed to be the story that we were telling. I've

been waiting a long time to meet a man like you,, Steve, I bet that is

something you don't live very often! You see, I think snooker is going to

be big, properly big. Bigger even than wrestling. I'm being serious. I

want us to go into partnership together. It was really adjusting to

get into the world of snooker, especially in its golden age, how

sexy and cool it was. It is definitely very unique on its own

and probably could only have happened at that time. It just shows

you how snooker at the world was, you know? The working title for the

film was a quote from Barry Hearn. "We Had good guys, we had bad guys

and we had snooker in the middle". The millions out there, they don't

tune in to watch the snooker. They watch for the soap opera. It is

Dallas with balls. Andy was JR and Bobby Ewing rolled into one. -- and

you are. He's just a brilliant character to play because he so

charismatic and this 20 to go with, when you watch the footage of Barry,

he is a real character. -- there is plenty to go with. This is Ryan, is

going to write your autobiography. I'm only 23. Doesn't matter, he's

going to pad it out with loads of diagrams that way, even Jimmy White

could not read it! This has been a very difficult project in lots of

ways. We have picked a period piece with characters people remember very

well and fondly and we've had to be accurate to that and in the middle

of it, they have to place on ago, one of the most difficult sport in

the world. They've learned the sport, how to hold a cue and walk

around the table properly. One of the tricky things was learning how

to play like Steve, and hold his physicality, his stance, his cueing

action and get my head around playing like that. I think he's got

to go for it. This is the big shot of the frame. And that, coupled with

visual effects, I think no one has really tried before in any kind of

snooker or pool film. Another difficult red into the centre

pocket. We are confident our film has captured the accuracy of the

sport in a really trusting way. Alex not able to afford any mistakes.

People have one view of snooker and that is the camera above the table

in any match, always the same angle. But this film totally takes you down

to the level of the players. It is a little bit rock 'n' roll. It has got

everything. The script is funny and the way it

is brought together by the actors, Luke brings a lot of humour to it.

Fellas, you are four hours late, they are baying for blood in there.

Where have you been? Relax, I'm the people's champion. Ladies and

gentlemen, welcome the world jumping, Alex again. There's also

dark as well and that is necessary. -- the world champion, Alex Higgins.

Me and you, James, we are the only two that ever played for love.

Unique tragedy and comedy and there's a lot of tragedy. There are

some really emotional, heartfelt, heart-warming scenes as well. -- you

need. I loved you, baby, from the first moment I held you in my arms.

And now, your daddy is playing in the final tomorrow. It's going to

change everything. I hope it is a timeless story. The drama is there

and I think anyone can that. I hope that viewers of the modern game

might go, " you know, there was a time and again perhaps add a few

more characters". # We'll show you what we can do

# With a load of balls and a snooker cue. #

We know that the wake people consume drama and TV has changed these days

and hopefully we are at the forefront of that and this will be a

project that reaches out to a lot of people and create more opportunities

to do things like this in the future. There such a following from

that era, there's a lot of nostalgia and walk and love for snooker.

Tonally, it's quite strong with a lot of big, emotional moment and a

of wild behaviour. This is the box office!

If you have not already caught it on BBC I play, it is on BBC Two

tomorrow at 9:30pm. -- on BBC I play. How did you feel when used for

the first time, Steve? Spookily like I do now. This is exactly how you

walked up the stairs in the Romford snooker club. It was eerily

accurate, I think. Quite frightening to have somebody play the part of

you but just marvellous! Amazing, it's a great film, John. I've

watched it a couple of times, actually, I enjoyed it so much the

best on. I spoke to Kevin Bishop at the Masters and said I thought he

made a great Barry Hearn although I thought he was slightly subdued! I

thought it was quite unfair to Steve. He's not that boring. He was

much worse than that! I asked if he was happy with the film, and he

said, "He made me look a bit nerdy", and I said, "Your point is?" We are

now enjoying a cracking semifinal between Ding Junhui and Alan McManus

by this afternoon's second session between 2014 champion Mark Selby

Marco Fu was just as good. And there is the perfect start. And

this will hurt Mark Selby. 5-4. Mark Selby.

And if he had picked it up with his hand, he could not have put it in a

better position. This black, for a beautifully compiled century break.

They share the first four frames. Mark Selby is still two in front,

7-5. Well, he spotted a plant. 107. Excellent from Marco Fu. He

levelled the match for the first time at 7-7. He's in the ascendancy

at the moment, no doubt. And he could not have played any better.

Has his tip, off? You're kidding! Oh, dear. The worst thing in a world

that can happen to a snooker player. He must be distraught. I can't

believe it! What a thing to happen. And the semifinal of the World

Championship, when you are really in stroke, well, you could not pick a

worse time. We hope it is not going to be a turning point, but might it

be? It really depends on how good a job Paul does because of Marco Fu

says he will go to the practice table and have a couple of shots and

if these looking down the cue and it looks the same as it was, there's no

problem. Just to make sure the feel is right and get some confidence

back on the through, -- back on the screw and as long as he can play

this group back and get the same reaction, you will be all right. --

the screw back and get the same reaction, he will be all right.

He wants a nice, easy pot to get some confidence back. But it is what

is going on between the ears for Marco. He is smiling at the

audience. Well, that might be a good sign. How well has he done to keep

himself together and make this a frame-winning contribution? He now

leads the world another one, Mark Selby, 8-7. -- world number one.

That is a nice pot. Oh, he's missed it! He got a kick. That red was for

frame ball! So, Marco Fu world now win the session 5-3, and as Mark

Selby won the first session 5-3, we will go into parity tomorrow. They

are all square at 8-8. Get up nice and early and have a nice Saturday

morning breakfast because we will be live at 10am on BBC Two with

coverage of that match. Let's turn our attention acted this evening and

remind you, it is a record-breaking night here, John because we have had

nine centuries in this match. It's been unbelievable quality and I

think there's more to come. I don't think it is finished yet. Over to

Alan McManus now? I think he needs to win three of these frames to have

a chance. John and Dennis, a record-breaking night? COMMENTATOR:

Yes, it has been a sensational match, this one. And what a

tremendous attempt from Ding Junhui in the frame before the mid-session

interval to make a maximum. But I agree with Ken, I think if Alan has

any aspirations of winning this match and getting to the final, he

needs three of these remaining four frames. It is a tall order. But he

has dug deep every time he has been asked, Alan McManus, so far.

A bit short of pace, you would say, normally, but it is not too bad,

now. Snooker in Alan on all of the reds. -- snookering.

It does not matter, coming up short. He would rather do that than hit it

too hard and slide off the pack. It has just cost him four points. Yes,

Alan has got to start thinking about his match against his good friend

John Higgins because towards the end of that match, he played some

unbelievable snooker. If you do it once, there's no reason why you

can't do it again. First to 17 goes through to the

final. A lot of snooker left. Now, that was amazing. He nearly

pulled it off. He played it with right-hand side against the nap of

the cloth and it pulled the opposite way, nearly curled in, around the

brown, to leave a snooker. It goes the opposite way with side, when you

are playing against the nap of the cloth, which runs from the baulk

line to the black spot area. Once again, not the best safety shot

from Alan. OK, you may not have left anything for Ding Junhui to go at,

but with his hand on the table, you expect him to play a better safety

than that. I think he can just get past the blue to play this red to

the right corner. But it would be a very risky pot to take on, no

guarantee of being on a colour. So just a safety.

I'm just going back to describing the nap of the cloth. The best

description I ever heard, John, I was commentating with Ray McAnally,

the famous Irish actor, who was in sight the mission and My Left Foot.

He described the nub of the cloth like the fur on a pussycat's back. I

thought it was a good explanation. -- nap of the cloth.

This looks like a better line. Still can't quite find the baulk cushion.

Oh, that is a mistake. He got it too thick. It did not go in-off, rattled

the jaws so Alan McManus with the first chance. Well, he has won the

tactical battle. The black is tied up but the reds are pretty well

placed. Look at the line they are in. He can get onto the pink or the

blue from here. But look how long it is since he last potted a ball. Just

one minute short of half an hour. You can only assume that he did not

want to play for the pink because the pink spot, well, when the pink

when it is re-spotted, might get tied up. Just about got an angle on

the blue, it appears. That red to the right of the bunch

is blocking the path for a few reds into the right corner but there's a

few others that are available. They are all sort of lined up for the

right corner. Oh, he has flicked the other red

which has taken the cue ball near the cushion. It should be OK.

STUDIO: Unfortunately, this is where we have to leave you this evening on

BBC Two but if you press the red button now, you can continue to

watch this cracking semifinal here from the Crucible Theatre. It is

also available on the BBC Sport website and the app. We will be back

at just after midnight to round up all the day's action from the 20

16th World Snooker Championships. We will see you then. Goodbye for now.

-- 2016. They are very dangerous people.

So are we.