Wednesday, 1st Round, Morning Snooker: World Championship

Good morning, welcome to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, it is

day five of the 2016 World Snooker Championship, the big news from the

Crucible this morning is that 2010 world champion Neil Robertson was

dumped out of the tournament by Michael Holt late last night. Four

more players dreaming of making it through to the last 16 today, one of

them is Mark Allen who is in a good position against a young Englishman

making his debut here, Mitchell Mann.

It's like a dream come true, really. I have watched it for the last

probably 14 years as a kid. Always wanted to have a chance to play and

now I have so I am over the moon. Being here for the pot black in 2007

I think it was was good memories and since that day I wanted to come back

and play here properly, proper best of 19 against the best players.

First time be a bit nervous. But I think we will do all right. Ladies

and gentlemen the 2007 Junior pot black champion, Mitchell Mann. I met

him when he was 15, he didn't seem to have any direction, he wanted to

play snooker but he sometimes maybe thought it would come to him rather

than him going out and finding what he had to do to be successful. I

felt like I had a fairly promising career at football, without being

big headed, I thought I was very good at it as a kid. Then I had the

bone disease, it is called per phase disease and it eats away at the hip,

in the socket. It's like that if you look at it on an x-ray and they told

me I could never do football or any high impact sport again. When I was

told I could not play again it really heart. I remember being in

the house one day and my dad took me up local snooker club and I have

never looked back since. I knew that's what I wanted to do,

Jeongseon, at that point. I remember having an operation and still

turning up to a tournament several weeks later on crutches and playing

in the tournament. He has just completed two years on the main

tour, he got his tickets through winning the men's Europeans two

years ago, and that got him his two the ticket on the main tour. My

dream was to play football at Wembley but now we are at the

Crucible and I think that is the Wembley of snooker so I am very

pleased. Mark Allen, the Pistol. Always plays

the right shot, never frightened to attack the ball and go for the win,

likes to try to win the match rather than you lose it. Fiery on the

table, he seems to have chilled out a bit off of it. You are just

waiting for him to win the big events. Top opponent, very

outspoken, could have got into trouble but at least he's honest.

He's great from I think you need people like that to say hit out it

is. Very attacking, he will be there or thereabouts in the years to come.

Very fluent around the table, he has a different action from everyone

else, great pressure player, when there is a clearance for him to make

it he will do it nine times out of ten. He is always having a laugh and

a joke, fantastic player. Very good under pressure. He is one that you

fancy making clearances. Very attacking, his safety game has come

on very well, very talented guy and certainly a potential world

champion. When he is on form Mark Allen is a

joy to watch. You just wonder if this is going to

be his year, has not really performed at the Crucible since 2009

when he reached the semifinals, losing 17-13 to John Higgins. He is

up against Mitchell Mann who has a tough task on his hands today. You

also have to wonder if this is the year of Ding Junhui, dropped out of

the top 16, number 17 in the world, a man who has wonderful 13 ranking

titles, what a story if he makes the final this year, he starts this

morning against Martin Gould. But the live match this morning is Mark

Allen against Mitchell Mann. This is the last full day of action, what

are tournament it has been so far, the first time in 34 years that

three of the four top seeds have gone out in the first round, what on

earth will happen next? The crowd and everyone are ready to go again.

Please welcome, a player whose achievements inspired a nation to

fall in love with this sport. Winner of 11 ranking titles and the

Masters, forced to come through the qualifiers this time he conceded

just seven frames, he is back and ready to roar, enter the Chinese

dragon, Ding Junhui! And his opponent, a player who has

worked so hard to earn his place amongst the game 's elite, winner of

the snooker shoot out and the championship league three years ago

but what a breakthrough earlier this year securing his first full ranking

title in Germany. Ladies and gentlemen, Martin Gould!

And on table two, the only debit and in the draw here at the Crucible

this year and what a way to earn his place on the big stage, 10-9 against

two opponents, he got a massive reception yesterday and it will

surely be the same this morning, for Birmingham's Mitchell Mann!

And his opponent, one of the most exciting talents in the modern game,

when he is in the balls his break-building is brilliant to

watch, semifinalist here seven years ago and secured his third ranking

title earlier this year in sensational form. He is poised, he

is ready, the pride of Northern Ireland, Mark Allen!

Live on BBC Two it is Mark Allen against Mitchell Mann and on the red

button and connected television you can watch Martin Gould versus Ding

Junhui. We say good morning to Willie Thorne, and John Parrott.

COMMENTATOR: Good morning everybody. This is the second session of this

first-round match between Mark Allen, a possible contender for the

title against Mitchell Mann, he would have been a little

disappointed yesterday, was in the balls first on many occasions and

said to Stephen Hendry earlier this morning that he has to play more

aggressively. I think that's the only way they can win this. Yes, I

think in his favour is the fact he is now seen the Crucible, played in

the atmosphere, been out there and knows what it's all about. Yesterday

should have done him the world of good. But if you don't score at this

level and score heavily you will not be winning. His first shot is a shot

to nothing, can get around the back of the black without a problem.

One always has to be above 90% in the pot success rate especially as

the best of 19, Mitchell Mann is down at 87%. Seems to have a better

or long pot success rate than Mark Allen.

Are we ever going to find out why? Numerous theories and attempts to

solve it, does seem to be prevalent at this year 's championship. I

thought we had got rid of the worst of it. All the tables have been

kicking like meals. It's annoying, you are in the middle of the break,

it happened quite a few times yesterday in the match against Neil

Robertson. He had some horrendous kick's. As per Mark Allen, he has

been massively improved this season, on a good run in his first

tournament on home soil. Has he got away with that? I've seen that shot

played three times already this week and all three people have brought a

red back towards the top cushion. It's a new composition, the balls

have been in play for a few seasons now but they seem to be a lot more

we active. Going into the pack, eight reds out, years ago when we

did that three would move out. He has not settled at all yet has he? I

think the balls are one of the things which could help, make

slightly heavier ball. People talk about heavier cloth as well which

might indeed help. I remember playing in the clubs years ago we

never used to get any kick did we? Maybe it is the fact that the cloth

has been shaved, it charges up the ball little. This is a good chance

for Mark. He'll be surprised he's back to the table so quickly.

Big fan of Mark Allen in the break-building department and I can

put my finger on why he hasn't done better because he scores as well as

anybody in the game. Maybe he gets a little agitated? Sometimes I just

think he's got, he is a good long pot, great break-builder, good

competitor. Just occasionally sometimes a bit of a lapse in

concentration. Have seen matches go 6-4, 6-5 which he has dominated and

should win 6-1, 6-2. But that's the only thing you can say, he is one of

those players who has a genuine chance of going very close in this

championship. He's got the talent. Choice of colours here, brown or

yellow, he will be playing for two or three reds. Would like to get on

the black as soon as "The reds are perfect for a frame-winning break.

The pink dolls go, I did have doubted it would get past the red.

-- the pink does go. Big help. These are now widely spread. I am not sure

he played for the pink on the previous shot, he played for the

black. I think it was a bit of a bonus wasn't it? Gone into the cue

ball that too much. Not the shot he played for but that doesn't matter.

Any harder that wouldn't have gone in. It's a big frame in the context

of the match, I know they all are but this one in particular, the

first frame of the morning, nice 6-3 lead, your opponent missing a

couple, if you can win the frame in one visit it closes the door. Mark

will be looking to win in this visit. Mitchell stewing in his chair

about the couple of Mrs he had. In seven out of the nine games

yesterday Mitchell was in first. Only manage to win three. Mark Allen

once again the wrong side of the blue. It's a poor shot, really, a

man of his abilities, to have to take this cue ball all around the

angles from a straightforward playing ball shot. Don't think he's

quite far enough is he? Going to be pretty tight. First frame in the

morning, you haven't got your cue arm going, little cold coming in.

Played a few shots so far. That was beautifully struck, as poor as the

one that was a run through, that was excellent. Another funny contact,

not boding well for this match, two poor contacts already. In the space

of the first half of the frame. Stop the cue ball.

Another poor shot. Played to go past the red. Luckily has the red over

the middle pocket in case of accidents and that's what he needs

to score, needs another 22 points at least from here to leave Mitchell

Mann needing a snooker. Decided to roll out in to make sure.

Played a nice little drag shot to hold the cue ball, knew it was going

towards the yellow. Took the pace out of the cue ball. What a mistake

that is. Always been there, the middle pocket, they haven't moved

that! Got a good cue ball but the red over

the corner, but cannot play it without making contact with black or

red, so playing a safety. Tempting for Mitchell but the same

equation, cannot avoid the red next to the one which is near the pocket.

Bob probably play the up and down safety again. Just has to be a

little careful with the two reds on the side, will take on the pot. He's

missed two comfortable chances. Once again Mark Allen has another chance

to win the frame. That is what is commonly known in

the trade as bad cueing. His alignment must have been wrong,

could have had a twitch, might have been nervous, he was aiming at the

right hand job as we looked down and that's exactly where he hit it. --

right-hand jaw. No wonder he's a little surprised. The only good news

was he got away with it. Just when Mitchell Mann needed an easy starter

to gain some confidence the red came off the jaws and covered up.

Very good shot. Very good. Top-class. He has got all the shots.

Knew he couldn't gain the advantage of that safety shot but just hopes

he's not snooker. Could get right behind the pink and green here. --

he's not snookered. Great cueing. And a terrible kiss.

44 point lead. Good choose to put colour safe on the cushioning case

there is a counter clearance or just a safety. Interesting to see what he

does here. Has landed on the spot but is quite difficult to put a

colour safe. I understand him putting the blue

there but didn't need to screw that. Left a choice of pots on. Can get

back in the frame if he gets this. Can score 24 at least. He is not

timing it. Decelerating. Exactly what that was. What happens there?

Missed timing it, there is nothing on the cue ball by the time it

reaches the object ball, all the work that you're supposed to be

putting on it is lost, it has dissipated by the time it reaches.

Not great cueing. Perfect angle to Jeongseon off --

perfect angle to play off two cushions. This is game ball so he

may just roll out in and leave the double. Cannot blame him for that.

You know that Mitchell Mann will continue, sometimes with it being an

easy black it would have been better probably trying to play another red.

We will see what happens in a moment.

Come on Mitchell, let's get along one in, you've not been close so far

this morning. Isn't it amazing, when your bottle goes at the Crucible or

you don't feel good at the Crucible it's amazing what you can miss, you

can miss anything. It's a tough old game. Looks a heck of a lot worse

than it is but usually struggling at the moment. We have all had sessions

where we'd been out there playing great and had somewhere we could not

see the wood for the trees and other moment that is what is happening

with Mitchell. The players he has beaten to qualify tells you he is a

good player, Matthew Selt who is an excellent player. You can play if

you can beat him. He's an excellent player. I think Matthew was 9-7 in

front at one stage. That is why they call an iron man, because he played

more friends than anyone else in the qualifiers. If he misses this one...

You need three reds, three blacks, has to finish high on the black to

get a chance to get beyond the two reds. The only red you can really

play on now is the one past the middle pocket. And you have one

chance at that, where is the two on the right-hand side, but you have to

pot the black of course. A nod of disappointment but he's conceded the

frame, gave Mitchell Mann about five or six chances but Mark Allen goes

further clear at 7-3. We were talking about kicking earlier on,

you cannot really say it is chalk with the first kick, but it makes a

massive difference. This is the first one. Just go straight up in

the air, the one thing against the chalk theory is that this is the

first frame of the day, the tables have been brushed and Ireland. Not

much chalk on the table. The next one killed the cue ball. This is

what happens, watch the chalk explode. That's getting into the

cloth, it could be the fact that that makes a difference as well, I'm

not quite sure. I think that's definitely part of it, it could be a

combination of a few things, I'm an advocate of static electricity. The

cloth is more shaven than it's ever been, when they used to be thicker,

the ball is getting charged and it particularly happens after long

screw shots. There was an experiment at Bristol University, they put a

negative current to the bid of the cloth and didn't get it ticking for

three months. There must be something there. -- kicking.

Mitchell Mann looking for a lawn. He has to brush himself down and think

if I am going out I am going out fighting. Looks like he doesn't want

to be there at the minute and the Crucible can get you that way.

So Mitchell Mann breaks off. Frame 11, last flame is one to forget.

He had lots of chances and his cueing wasn't great there. Try and

pick himself from that frame. Mark Allen won it, but hasn't had to

do bay lick -- basically anything. I wonder if Mark suspects his opponent

-- opponent is struggling. This is normally a good ploy, because he is

facing this shot and thinking I have previous of missing the long shots

this morning so he won't look forward to this. He has to brush

himself down and take it on. Luckily for him the black is safe otherwise

he could take it on with a bit more confidence.

Is whey hee hit it too thin, to make sure gets back to baulk. I don't

know if he is looking up to his coach, and I don't know who coaches

Mitchell but he has looked up a couple of times into the balcony,

when he played that long pot. Yes, he is looked after by an old pal of

mine John Farnworth. He played I played in pro ams with John years

and years ago. So John knows the game. He has been round a long time.

Is a couple of long pots on, but I am not sure if he can get back to

baulk nicely. One down the left-hand side looks better than this one.

Is he trying to hold it for pink in the middle? He was trying to hold it

for the pink. Once again looking crisper on the shot. Could have

played it a fraction harder to it to the cue ball. That will give him a

bit of confidence now. Tricky for Mark this, path back to

the baulk area isn't easy. Certainly down the right-hand side as we look

at the table. Can't see a way baulk to the baulk area there.

As you look down the left-hand side from that. That is all he has there,

red straight. No colour of course if he goes down there to pot one, he

can't play the run through. The second red up either, so,... He

can't play slow off the right hand cushion. He may be forced to take a

pot on here. The only good thing he may have had

a good white. The red is going over the pocket.

Right Mitchell we need a 60 or 70 break to give you confidence to get

back in to this match. It was interesting the way he played I

thought he might have played a dead weight instead of playing up and

down the table. Even if he missed it he wasn't going to be leaving too

much. He decided to play it the way he did. Unfortunately for him, that

is the way it finished. He has lost the cue ball. Here is a

tester unless he clips it in the middle thin. He takes it up into the

corner. That will test his cue action.

There is no problem with missing the yellow on the way down, it is

missing it on the way back, he will have to play wit a bit of check

side, if he plays it in the top, as John said, this is a lot more

difficult than playing in the middle. This needs to be hit well.

Well done. Well done. A big shot that in the

context of the way the game has gone so far this morning.

At the minute he just wants the ground to open up and take him out

of here, that is... That is what happens to you sometimes.

I remember playing John Spencer years ago, and I was winning

convincingly and he walked n Spencer years ago, and I was winning

convincingly and he walked by me and he said "Get me out of here." That

is sometimes what you feel like, you don't want to be there sometimes.

I feel for Mitchell a bit at the minute. He is not playing great.

When he comes to the table every positional shot seems to go awkward.

There is more do with the cue ball. That is one of those things when you

are not timing it, it is not going your way, it seems to run a little

awkward. I don't know whether he is on one.

He took the right choice in trying to bring the pink into play.

As you can see, he didn't get the pink in play and he is not on a red.

I know there is one in the middle, I mean he is not on one that is any

good. If he pots this it is going the wrong way, he can't get on the

black, he can't get on the pink. This is the shot he tried to play,

hoping to push a red on. As it is now, swing round three cushions and

in behind the yellow. Well played. At first glance it

looks like he is in a bit of trouble.

Can't clip the red directly behind the blue. One side of the table is

locked off, the red just above, there is two reds next to the black

and the one just above that looks like the only path back.

A tempter. Go all out and bring the black or

the pink into play-off this red. Looks like he has decided to against

it. WHITE Looks like he has decided to against it.

That has opened things up a bit. Would have a chance to score quite

heavily now. Don't blame him taking his time

here, this is a knotty problem. It is pottable, but can't guarantee

you would get any position from it. You would be cannoning back in to

balls as well. No escape down the other side of the table. Can't drop

and play the old dump shot and leave the cue ball on the top cushion

because of the loose red. Problem. He may have to take this red on.

He didn't. He decided just to try and leave this red, he knew he would

be leaving it for Mitchell, but if he could leave it straight, there is

not much he can do with it. Might only be for one point,

In the cold light of day, that was a well thought out shot if he did play

that. The blue will be available at distancing but that is about the

only ball he can get on. -- at distance. He tried to view

past the black, that was a good effort. Has he got a bonus? Has he

got the black into the corner? He has to try and make something happen

soon. It is tricky to play safe off the

black. He would like to play it that way, he is cueing up now, through

the gap, he has to get through the gap of the reds and the red on its

own would be blocking the path there. Maybe can just get inside it,

hit the cushion first, Looked at the chance of the pot past

the green, into the corner. If it is dead straight, you know, it

is only good cueing you will pot it, if it is not, you can see he is

having to dig down, he is trying to play it a as shot to nothing, rather

than a shot for something. Well done. I wasn't sure, I didn't

say it looked in. After much deliberation that was the shot he

picked and well played. It did look a little wide there.

Soft enough. Enough. Quick on to the top jaw. And it

would have been a good chance. Although saying that, blue and pink,

some sort of genius to clear up from here.

That was beautifully cued with the rest, it really was. Stretching

there, one of those ones that can be slightly awkward. But he hit that

beautifully pure, right in the centre of the pocket that was. A

chance to get on the blue here, and then hopefully, open up the pink at

some stage, he has the angle here, I don't know, but he will be trying to

bring one of the two higher colours into play.

Both players seem to be having trouble getting hold of the ball

this morning. He is still on the red, he was hoping to bring an angle

to bring black or pink in, he hasn't got it now unless he plays a thin

one. He will be on good fortune where the white ends up. Maybe

playing more the blue, or bring the pink in to play, it hasn't quite

work but if he had caught it thinner it would have been fine.

That is a funny shot. Probably one I would have erred on screwing a bit

more and getting up the table to guarantee a position on a blue or

baulk colour, but any way, this is thin.

It is there but you can't hold the cue ball when wow play that shot.

For all the people who play regularly at snooker, the conditions

at the minute appear like it is playing damp. Obviously it is not,

because the Crucible is at the right temperature all the time. When grow

in the clubs and it is rain in the air and you try to stun balls and

screw them you don't get the reaction, that appears to be what is

happening at the moment. They both can't be cueing bad. One of them

isn't cueing well but not both. That didn't finish in the worse spot

either. Hampered by the brown for cueing, that red near the top

left-hand side pocket would have been nice to take on, with a bit of

safety in mind. Change of plan now. Once again good cueing required.

He is not having do a great deal, Mark Allen. Presented with four or

five chances at the first frame, he has had four or five at this frame,

albeit he has only scored 26 so far, because of the balls have been very

awkward. Didn't get into the cue ball there.

Clever little shot he played. Unlucky, he gets a slightly thicker

contact there, he flicks the red grey the black. You can see what he

is doing. Those two reds come away and maybe is black is in open play.

Mind you the pink is OK now. Seems to be OK in on the pink. He

can bring the two reds into play. Think the bottom of the two will pot

in the opposite corner to the pink, so he may just miss the kiss and

play on that red in the opposite corner.

He is going to need... The red at the top, the cluster, I think that

one pots. By the black. Have a little look. Run through on this

pink and drop on that red, then he will have to play a cannon to open

the other two reds. You are not guaranteed to get on the

black, play on the reds but play for pink or blue. You have to. It is the

opportunity to move them all out. Pot one, that is the priority. There

you go. Sometimes you make things happen,

don't you. That is the beauty of snooker, if you ache things happen

you get what you deserve. He deserved a good kiss there, he was

fortunate to get the second, but perfect.

This is probably frame ball if gets this.

Wow! Look at the way that's run. A massive area there to play into.

One thing needs to be there was high. As long as he kept it high he

was guaranteed on the red He didn't get to the cue ball though, you play

to screw it round the two cushion, you should be hitting the cushion

eight or nine inches past the middle and he has hit it two foot. The

table is not playing well this morning but a very good recovery

shot. That flick helps because he has a

God angle on the yellow. That was an excellent shot. Really was, low drag

on that, a little bit of side. Played that beautifully. Didn't look

like much, but trust me, that was a good shot.

Only 28 but a 38 point lead. Two reds safe, Mark Allen is going to be

favourite for this frame. Can't afford to leave the cue ball

in the mid of the table when playing a safety.

That is the reason why you can't. His top players don't miss many of

those. I am Hooning at mark PMQs, every

time he plays a long ball, he is coming a bit off position all the

time. He is having to pull out better

shots than he ordinarily would. Not a criticism, it is one of those

things that can happen in this game. That was an excellent long pot he

put in. Coming slightly off all the time.

Made sure of the red there, quite right too.

Mark Allen has won the frame. So Mitchell Mann, he has not settled

this morning, Mark Allen it has been scrappy stuff. He won't mind. He

leads by eight frames to three. I want to put a shot up that was

played there. I want you to explain the reason why it was more

advantageous, not just playing the slow Canning but making sure you are

on a colour You have to try and be too clever and play a flick and say

I might end up on one, what you want do with this is guarantee yourself

position for the necks colour, so he plays this with plenty of pace,

takes the chance and got the side on it, to screw back and come back into

the table. He takes a chance all could come into play. You can't

guarantee it. It has splitted the balls, he has the side on the cue

ball that goes up the table. He could be on blue, pink or a baulk

colour. You have a chance of winning the frame. We talk sometimes about

how people try to be too careful. That is one of the occasions where

you have to rely on luck but you know it could be there playing the

right shot. You are being positive in your shot selection, the clever

way to do it, there was no down side, you were going to get position

f you got the bonus of the red splitting up, great. The second kiss

to bring the black into play was fortunate but he got the white in

open play, that was the key thing, they are the stats of the match,

there you can see the pot success, it is not great. He is struggling

down at 83%, and of course in this standard of snooker you have to be

at 91, 92, 93. This is a match he will have to put down to experience

really. It is first time he has been here play, he has done brilliantly

to qualify. He is getting progressively more under pressure

and his cue action is deaccelerate, he is not quite there today. We know

he is a good player. At the moment it is not quite happening. CJ

tweeted me saying, what if Mitchell Mann won this match, he would be the

only man to be undefeated at the Crucible. Because everybody else has

played here and lost before. But obviously 8-3 behind, he has a

mountain to climb. Fancy CJ watching the snooker. CJ loves the snooker.

He hasn't played well this morning but only a break of 47, but he has

won two frames and leads 8-3. This could be over before the interval if

he is not careful. He is not happy with the break off, either.

He wouldn't be happy because the two reds have clamped themselves on to

the black which is annoy, he would like to get this out of the way.

Looking awkward at the top end of the table.

Come on Mitchell. Good cueing.

It never rains but it pours sometimes, two foot short or two

foot long, he is on a nice blue. Mark Allen nipped out in between the

last frame and this frame, and he probably needed a bit of energy, and

obviously they say that bananas is good for energy, he has brought one

out. Had a couple of bites of it. Yes. It has become more common than

Steve's ham sandwich of a few years ago, do you remember that one?

Never seen that one before in a match. Felt a bit hungry, got

himself a ham sandwich. So good news Ed this morning we have

heard the health picking up of Jon Williams, the great referee. Hope

you are watching. Refereed world finals and major finals. He is back

up and running, trying to organise a few pro am events there in Wales

like he used to do. Good to hear you are doing well, pal.

Everything is going wrong for Mitchell at the moment.

Struggling to play a good safety shot, struggling to break. But there

is still time. The next two frames going into the interval. Until a

player gets to nine you are worried if you are well behind, until they

got to nine you shouldn't be too conserntd.

Desperate to get the black back in play and he's certainly done that.

Chance here again. Good chance as well. It is OK but he

didn't really want it. And once again missed time that

completely, not played for the red in the top corner, I can assure you

of that. Deceleration again wasn't it? So sorry for him, he's a great

player but he struggling out there. Have to play it into the yellow

pocket, screw back for the black. That's the beauty of the shot, don't

have to do anything with the cue ball.

Somebody of his abilities to only get nine... Disappointing.

Just shows you how difficult the game really is when we see these

sort of players struggling, it's not all about getting down and making a

hundred break, when you see the big players playing at their best,

getting 80 every frame, but it's not that easy, it's one of the toughest

games in the world. Little tactical exchange but at

least the table is looking a little bit tidier. Blue and green are out

of commission, but can definitely pot pink and black.

Read all should have been tight on the top cushion.

On the top cushion this time so very difficult for children put mark in

trouble from the shot. Anywhere on the baulk cushion is safe. Could

just drop dead weight on the two reds touching, drop dead weight on

the left-hand side one, would not leave anything. OK your opponent

will just stick to back down there but at least you can get out of

trouble. He's made a good effort with that one. Didn't bring the red

back up the table too far. Never a big fan of these frames, they were

always horrible, the cue ball at the top and everything going down the

other end. Some players have the art of being able to play every frame

like it's the first but these type of frames were never my specialty

and when you are playing some unlike Mark Selby or Mark Williams, they

play it like an open frame. Mark Allen just played a great shot

there, screwed the red into another one, the cue ball almost tight on

the top cushion. Very good. He's on top at the moment, this is difficult

for Mitchell. Might choose to do what I said before and just drop on

them, dead weight. These frames are just as important as open frames.

Shaun Murphy lost this week and he doesn't seem to win any scrappy

frames at the moment. He's one of my favourite players to watch but it

seems if he does not make 50 he does not win the frame. There is an art

to it, I have played all the greats but I think Mark Williams is right

up there, he is brilliant in open play, you are not champion of the

world if you can do that, but if frames go awkward I have not played

anybody better. He was fantastic at it. Very clever.

Just containing shot. There is not much you can do sometimes. Expecting

to be back there again. That's all you've got, you just had to stand

for it. It's weirder because there doesn't

seem to be any reaction from the cue ball this morning. He actually I

bounced the cue ball, as it is coming down it hits the top of the

red so there is nothing coming back on it. Is he on the pink? Made that

a little bit closer comfort didn't he? That is closer. This could be a

fabulous chance. Must be on it. This is a brilliant chance now.

Interesting shot but Mitchell played, cue ball in the air, bounced

it off the bed of the table and has contacted the red high up. Took all

the pace out the cue ball. Cueing down like that, how can it not

bounce? Meeting the contact when it's on the bed as it bouncing. Not

been a great three frames, thus. Mark Allen would be worried, won the

opening two and looks the strong favourite to win this one. These are

funny frames, the balls are in the open but it's a different way of

thinking, you get used to making breaks of pink, blue and black at

the top end and sometimes when they are spread like this it's a little

different. Have to give it 100% concentration. I don't know what he

played there but it wasn't entirely where he was aiming.

Played that red with a little bit of Czech seed just to hold the cue ball

for the brown. -- Czech side. Will be hoping to get the black onto

its own spot as soon as possible. After a few initial positional shots

in this break which were slightly off Mark Allen now has the cue ball

where he wants it. This is one of the matches he will want to get out

of the way, any time you can turn up at the Crucible and win comfortably

it's in your favour, particularly now with the standard of play.

You're going to get harder matches all the way through and the easier

you win the more petrol you save. He is kicking himself again, he's not

hit that hard enough. Shaking his head. Wanted that to travel at least

another six inches up the table. Will be pretty sure Stephen Hendry

and Steven Davis will be getting mismatch 10-3, 10-4 open with --

over with. The significance of getting games out of the way.

Excellent pot. That is what Mark will be thinking.

To be absolute sure of winning the frame he needs two more reds with

high value colours but the high value colours will not be there so

to pot at least four of the reds. Going to play forcing shot around

the angles. Big area to land on, really. Well played. I mentioned it

earlier in this break, sometimes they are little bit tricky, these.

The cue ball has not been perfect through this. But he's doing the

object of the exercise, knocking and everything he's looking at, and he's

still in the driving seat. Can win the frame with just two more reds.

Little smile. Doesn't really want to bring the green interplay, it won't

make any difference on the frame but the weight could stick on the

cushion which is why he is playing the slightly more difficult red.

The highest break of the morning session so far, collapsing the 47 he

made in frame ten. -- each collapsing. Just one more reds

needed. -- red. Good break, this. An awkward frame

at the start. Balls all over the place. He has taken them well.

That should be enough and it is, Mitchell just one away from losing

this match. STUDIO: One more frame and Mark Allen will advance to the

last 16 of this year 's tournament, lets just show you what is happening

on the other table, Ding Junhui ranked 17th in the world, I said at

the start of the programme you wonder if it could be his year with

the pressure very much off. He got in a break of 90 and a break of 110

in the first two frames to take a 2- now lead, but Martin Gould has pull

the frame back. This match is available on the red button, the BBC

Sport app and BBC online if you want to carry on watching this match.

If you want to carry on watching that match it is available online as

is Mark Allen's match against Mitchell Mann and we are back at 1pm

on BBC Two, the live match this afternoon Judd Trump against a Liang

Wenbo. Steve Davis and Peter Ebdon in the studio, join us then. Goodbye

for now.