Day 3 UK Snooker Championship Extra

Hello on this third day of the William Hill .com United Kingdom

championship. We were concentrating on the last remaining first round

matches and among them Mark Allen from Northern Ireland, who you

might remember got through to the semifinals last year, was THE

second lowest ranked player to have made it this year, Adrian Gunnell

of Shropshire, who had already had to win three qualifying matches to

be with us at the Barbican Centre. It is best from the 11th in this

opening round and we will join John Virgo and Willie Thorne in the

this first round match under way. Ranked number 63 in the world.

Against the world ranked number 14, as very warm favourite in this

match, but he has be known to blow a little bit hot and cold. But when

thought it was going to slide a little more than that. Adrian looks

at it and says, yes, he will have it replaced. A solid player. I've

seen him play a few times, and, as we were saying just before the

match, he has had to play three qualifying games to get here. Beat

the likes of Joe Perry, who is well on here. There's one just at the

back of the pack - you can see it - that's on. He camp and forced the

run through and get on the black in the opposite corner. This could

turn out to be perfect. -- he can early doors, but he will be

but of course the black is that the other end of the table. I don't

know that the pink is available. Oh, cue ball. The pink spot is

available. If it is not, the pink will go on the highest available,

which is the black spot, and that's where it goes. Only available into

the right corner but he won't be too unhappy with that. Just playing

for the blue after this red. He will be a bit wary of the left

close to the cushion. You don't have a lot of control on the cue

ball, and that red just to the left of the pink can be cut but it is

not easy by any means. The colour is the problem, isn't it? I don't

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think he can miss the reds and get black back at the business end of

the table. I don't know where it is going to spot. There is enough room

on the pink spot. It has become a much better chance now he has two

colours at this end of the table. If in a couple of shots' time he

can get rid of the one below the blue. Three or four inches more

level, to not be able to avoid a baulk colour is poor. He will be

disappointed with that. Yes, jabbing a little bit there as well.

He tried to get into the cue ball too much and did not get through it

at all well. The pace with which it went into baulk, it might not even

have got back to this end. Just enough room to get back if he pots

it. That's the beauty of this young man. He is a wonderful long potter.

Well, yeah. A lot of people ask you what the secret of the game is, but

potting is the main ingredient you board. You can be as tactical as

you like, but you need to be a good potter when you do run out of

position slightly, as he did, playing to recovery. He may play

for this red off the brown closest corner pocket. If it does, he will

there is no reason to play it any precise positional shot, and now he

the pink on this next shot. There is obviously one and the back of

this cluster of three that pots as well. He might use the black.

Looking at it at first glance, he is not in a good position to get on

pink or black here. He may have to go for the blue. Managed to hold it

for the black in the middle. Didn't but he moved up the world rankings

quite rapidly. But he had a poor season last season by his standards.

This season it is important he tries to reinvent himself because

he is capable of winning any tournament he plays in. I think it

would be fair to say that he had a bit of depression. I don't know

whether it was the fact that he was in the limelight and could not cope

with it but he went to see a couple of people to try to get the

depression right. Yes, well, as we have always said, there's more to

this game and any sport than just playing it. There's a lot of other

things that go with it - being away Just a red and a colour needed to

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will see a century. It is good have liked to have made a century

but a good start from Mark Allen. getting frame two under way. It's

always nice to start well and that break of 77 means he is cueing very

well. Two tables here at the Barbican Centre - a wonderful venue

- and there is no screen like the Crucible. Normally you would not be

able to see the other table. They are trying the open-plan approach.

I don't think in our day they would There's quite a bit of movement in

between frames, if you like, on the next table. People just coming in,

some late comers. You've got to concentrate, not only on the table,

and block out what's happening went to the Crucible we had that

two table situation. I remember Fred Davis saying his brother, Joe,

would not have tolerated playing under these conditions. That

Crucible screen is amazing. Unless you have played there, it doesn't

look so close, but you almost touch it. I can think of one or two

amateurs I've seen in the past he would not have been able to get the

cue in. Did some of your players cue and the half part are still

there. We were hoping to show you that at some time. Never been used,

almost an antique. Part of the furniture. We could have it on

He is looking into this right corner but of course with that cue

ball being so close to the baulk cushion, a difficult shot. He would

like to play the red. There are two out from the left-hand side, but

the yellow is blocking the path to the potting angle, it appears. That

would be the obvious shot, if he this well. And he didn't. Called

for bump in the middle. He will be lucky to get away with it. --

caught the bump. He could have left something easier but there are pots

on. This one probably cuts to the middle. Quite comfortably. So he

did leave an easy starter. And we saw the form that Mark Allen was

being in the first frame. He could red. He can roll the cue ball in

but he will have the wrong angle on the black to get into the business

end of the table. A lot of uncertainty, this road. He could

not get the nice angle on the black. If he was dead straight, he could

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not do anything with the cue ball. back on to its own spot. The black

is covered by those loose reds. If the Pink goes up into the brown

spot, it will be a little while before we can say this is a good

chance. The black is out of commission and the pink is out of

play for the black. He is having a good look. -- from that. He is now

a good chance because he can get rid of I've that the two reds, to

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put the black in trouble lid -- unless it was on the spot the first

time he potted it, he is in with a discussed on his face. -- get into

that. The problem is, as we saw the previous time he potted the black,

it is tight and it is the type of shot where you want to be right

behind it. You have got the black only pocket in your eye line and he

has not. This black is miserable. - - missable. That was an excellent

pot. You could not pot a ball cleaner than that. The reds have

spread absolutely beautifully. A- frame-winning opportunity. -- a

but he has spotted things higher, a lot higher than this. I think he

should get rid of that red now, don't you? It would save some

Adrian. He missed his second long spot by a long way and missed a

second off the spot in the first cannon. Anyway, a shrug of the

shoulder, a shake of the head. No, you can have it again. Just a

safety. Disappointing finish to there. He really has to get a

foothold in this match. He is not a seasoned television player. The

further you get behind, the first - - the harder it is to play. He

needs to get a frame on the born and quickly. I am a big fan of

Adrian's - he's a really nice guy. If he plays this cross table on to

the left hand cushion, it may go name is on the table? That is

goes down the left-hand side the possibility could leave the cut on

the red to the right middle. I could not see a better alternative.

He has got to get a good pace on the skewbald if he -- on this cue

ball. Does the yellow. A tap on the table. Does this red not cut into

the right middle? I know it is to cut. -- it is thin but it looks.

He didn't fancy it. It was easy enough to play safe. He did not

make the best job of it, in all towards a corner pocket. Mark Allen

with a 56-point lead will be lucky for one more chance to clinch the

Balkenende of the table. Unfortunately for Adrian, the black

is not available on the back left brown but it is tough this. That is

a great shot. Oh, unlucky. That was to get the cue ball in behind the

green. That is what he has attempted to do. He may have just

got it. He may have just snookered Mark Allen here. It is touching the

green. He definitely has. I think he has snookered him on all reds.

Mark Allen has a 55-point lead but if you lose a red here that 55-

point lead will not be there for long. The reds are nicely in the

open. He has got a problem here. corner pocket. Surely the pink has

not come to his rescue, has it? He can play a little swerve, dig down

to the right-hand side. Playing that way, you were not certain to

be on the colour. You would have to play the red. He did not swerve it

enough. It was unlucky there. Unlucky, Adrian, lucky, a mark.

Once he hit the red and knocked it towards the corner, very fortunate

not to leave clear path next to it. I think he had a look back there

because he deserved it after that. He is still 55 behind. If he gets a

chance he can get back into the frame. Mark could do with knocking

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a red safe here early. Clever shot one of these reds in the middle of

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green. Just have to avoid the kiss chance that this red, I think. But

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I do not understand why he played just about to say one mistake from

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Allen leads 2-0, winning the second frame. Adrian Gunnell gets the

frame three under way. A decent Allen, in appreciation. Always nice

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you're playing someone with the potting prowess of Mark Allen,

sometimes you just want to get it ultra-safe. You do not even want to

of there. As the blue come to his rescue? Aydin have been so. Coming

around to see if a pink is looking for a gap and a half here.

That will be hard to find. Has he than that. Excellent shot. This is

what he needs. If the black pots, you can say goodbye. He wants to

hit the two reds just above the black. He is trying to talk himself

out of it but it looks, from an angle, like it definitely pots.

pots for me. It clearly goes past middle here and the pink will be

available. Not a bad chance. Having lost the first two, you feel he

balls in good position to get a sizable break-in this is what he

needs. He would love to make 74 or above but he needs to get his

cueing arm going to give him self- confidence. He missed the black off

the spot in the first frame. He is now in a perfect position for a

to be a lot higher on this red. -- wishes to do with the cue ball. Are

we expecting to get at least 50 -- I would expect him to get at least

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He played it the outside. There is He chided to keep the break it

going. -- tried. It was a decent break when not enough to win the

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The pink looks to be in the way to You feel the need to make something

happen when you are 58 points behind. This could be the chance

He is in a bit of a position. The red is the closest to the left

cushion which is concerning him. Concentrate on the pot. He is up

and down. The more you think about it, the more difficult it starts to

He got the pot. If it bounces he might be on the ground. He is not

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perfect on any colour. 59 points in That was a terrific pot. He knew it

would be a frame if he knocked it He has played for the grain so he

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needs the green and one more red. Terrific shot. Frame well and truly

over. Just enjoy potting a few balls which she did not have a

chance to do in the first two As far as Mark Allen is concerned

he is more relaxed now. But he How close was that? Twice. The

first time I thought it was in. Not only has he missed it, he has left

Played the kiss. He should have kissed the black first to get it

out of the way. He has opened it up. He should rest on the brown if he

can with his safety shot. I don't think this is cup double. It is a

bit dangerous to play behind the green. Please let me kiss the brown

here. That is very poor. I thought he could not reach. That was quick.

If that is poorer, I don't know Snooker on all reds. Thank you. I

thought him completely misjudged it but obviously not. He has to get it

safe and this is not guaranteed. That was the problem, he hit the

red but could not stop. Nicely on An excellent opportunity for it to

be 3-1 for the young man from He looks more focused then he did

last season. This is the first time I have seen him play this season.

Me too. He looks focus. He does not appear frightened of anybody. He

fancies the job and that is half the fight. Don't play the opponent,

play the table. Concentrate on your own game. That takes a bit of

confidence. He leads the Reds on He has second prize. Should have

been better than this. That looks like the obvious one in the far

left corner as well. It depends how he sees it. He could pot this and

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Nicely played. Back in prime Red and black again. He has a

foothold in the match. On the frame he is lost. He is playing OK when

he gets in but he could tighten up He has taken the blue and now he

needs one more red. He still needs is one more red and needs to be

That will be enjoying that. I don't think Adrian Gunnell will be back

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Blessed with a very good cue. 10 mood very easily. -- cannot move

very easily. No chance of a century here of course but they have made

Definitely cueing better than he did for the latter part of last

season, certainly with more Might be an exhibition shot here,

the brown could end on the four. Exhibition snooker from Mark Allen.

What will he do with the black? Always trying to cut it through the

Adrian Gunnell gets the fit frames The red, the one on the right-hand

side. It is difficult. The black is not available in the opposite

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corner. He might play a run through He thought he could make the plant

there. It was a bit tricky. He Nice and solid. He can play it in

the middle or the far left corner. The black is in the open and there

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are a few reds available above the He looked as if he would fit the

blue but he has gone past it. He just wants one good positional shot

A little bit too straight and tried to force it on the red. Just one

inch short of perfect. Tricky this Nice pot. And back in perfect

Looked at the points scored, three times as many. A little bit

straight on this black. There was one in the open he could have

played for. You have to be very It is a tricky shot. That is a

tricky shot. And played at that pace, if you miss it you are bound

to leave it. Back to his seat with a 40 point lead but he has left a

nice and easy start for Adrian's. He thought he could cover it up. He

thought he could cover it with the black but too much check side on.

I do not blame him on that. He took a chance and it worked out nicely.

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He is on the choice of blue now. He Poor shot. I get the feeling that

Adrian things too much over the Over 30 seconds a shot. Won't be

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much good in the Premier League. He it's done no harm to the safety.

It's another straightforward run here. Got a spot of bother here,

red. Good effort to screw the ball back as far as he did. But he's

left this red in the middle of the table. Well, I thought he left it.

I thought it might go to the right corner but maybe it doesn't no., I

don't think it does. The blue covers the straighter red as you

can see. That red doesn't appear to go. So he is playing the red but

here. He can pot this. It's looks easier enough but if he was to hit

it too thick there is every possibility if you hit it too thick

and miss the pot you could run into those four reds in the middle of

th tho you've got to be accurate with this. And he was.

That's not a bad kiss on the blue. may have got away with it. But he

has missed a golden opportunity there get a few points on the board.

We see from Mark Allan's face he has been left nothing. But on the

other hand, I suppose he would be satisfied that his opponent missed

a pink, which will not do his confidence any good, and he didn't

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real harm done t doesn't appear. Just having a kind run of the ball

them very well but left nothing for going close to the possibility. But

it's just about OK - to the pocket. But it's just about OK, green

covering the obvious red that was pottable to the right corner. He is

having a look at the possibility of a plant here. Just looking at it,

it looks smack on to me. The two reds just above the black. There

they are. They are close enough. think if the white was the other

side of the green it would make it easier. He really has to get his

fins on if he is to play that. There is a little bit of a gap. He

has attempted it. The way it's been if he pots this red you feel he

will win the frame. Right in the heart of the pocket. So with a 34-

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point lead, nicely on the colour, It's a pity he couldn't play for

the black. Obviously the block not available certainly to the right

corner and possibility not the left corner. It wasn't as

straightforward as it first appeared. And I don't think it goes

in the left corner, either. He has a little bit of work to do to

increase the frame at this visit. But with the Reds open as they are,

it would be nice if he could pot this red and get the blue on its

spot. Of course taking this one, makes the black available now into

the right corner pocket. Just a case of the cue ball travels

further than he would have liked but still looks a formality to me.

If this shot works out right, just a little bit more pace...

Surely now that's going to be end of frame. Just the black needed.

Puts him 55 points in front. Just can see why. He has a lot of

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natural ability. Quick sight ised. and truly over. I know there is no

pressure on now but Mark Allan is certainly turning it on here. That

was - he had his chances and didn't take them and Mark Allan is further

disappoint there had. He has put the black safe. I can't quite

knocked the red over the corner. I don't think Mark Allan can get

through to it. No. It's covered. Bit fortunate there. The fact that

that over in the corner is covered, that red, just makes it more

difficult when it comes to play the safety. Because the one thing he

has not got to do is leave the red on. He has looked down the right

side of the table to see if there is a pot on but it doesn't appear

easy. He could roll this one down the pocket. That's the most obvious

one to play. Or a thin cut on this red that's closest to the top

cushion and that looks to be his choice. But he needs to get this.

Give him half a point for, that it was that close. I thought that was

in. I think Mark did as well. chance goes to Adrian, 4-1 behind,

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pink goes. I don't know, maybe the black will go into the right corner.

There is a bit of room for the pink so it's probably available into the

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the cue ball to be cleaned. The pink does go. Choice of reds.

Obviously the red over the left corner. You would like to leave it

there. Because he has got one to the right corner. I can only assume

the black doesn't pot. We'll soon know how he plays this. Oh, the

black does go through the gap. So this is a decent chance here. Had

he been straighter on the black he could have played the red just to

the right of the black. That's not an option now. That's gone wrong.

He still has a red to the right corner but he was hoping for one

for the left corner so he could return to position on the black.

The pink, it did go before but it did nudge into the red so maybe

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it's not available any more. Still looks as though it is to me. He was

always running into that red. I think there is a red buts that line

of three to the right, the top one of those will go into the top

corner. He won't be able to play the position on the black or the

pink. He would have liked it to have been those two reds together.

The right hand one. But there is just one to go on, the one

immediately left of the black. just seems at the moment that

anything that is half difficult he's not gonna knock in. And he has

been fortunate not to leave the red he has just missed. 29 points in

front, you would be pretty disappointed to not win the frame

from this position. Surely he is on the black, isn't he? Yes. But

obviously disappointed he's not a little bit straighter on it.

Wouldn't cause a problem you wouldn't have thought. There are

enough reds in impossible positions. You couldn't wish for a better

chance than this. A little bit careless there. He had plenty of

room to manoeuvre there. (APPLAUSE)

But he has knocked it in. He got a nice nudge off that little bunch of

reds. Nicely on this red to the right corner. That will do nicely.

That could be the key to this frame. Two reds, two colours and that will

win him the 6th frame. As you say, he couldn't afford to lose this

frame really. If he had lost it all hope would have gone. Once again,

just taking this length of time just to work out the shot. Looks

plain sailing to me. Pot this red, play up for the blue. You see, and

he's missed the red. I'm a great believer sometimes you can see

problems that aren't there. How disappointed is he walking back to

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a time to miscue. Invariably, I have to say when players miscue

it's just a little careless. It just dipped at the last minute.

Adrian is fortunate to get back to the table. He comes back to the

table with a 45-point lead. So still a couple needed. Surely he

won't spurpb this opportunity. - spurn. Could have played that

That red is all he needs. If he pots this red he goes 52 points in

front with 51 remaining. front with 51 remaining.

front with 51 remaining. (APPLAUSE)

It will certainly give him some hope in this match, won't it. Mark

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Allan concedes, will take a comfort Good pot. It's not bad. A flick on

the yellow to leave him on the blue may have been nicer. But the yellow

will be nice enough. Obviously he would have liked to have been on

the blue. Then he gets the blue on its spot and it makes it easier,

The previous frame Adrian definitely should have won. This

frame could have been 4- all. absolutely. That's how easy it can

turn. But you get your chances, you've got to take them. Oh, he's

now got the blue on its spot in the middle of the table. Couldn't wish

for a better opportunity than that. As we saw in the last frame, don't

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The last red. Hit that quite nicely. He will have to play another good

shot. Nothing seems to pot him the left hand corner. Not necessarily

straightforward, this, at the As you can see, it's not perfect.

He is still on this red. It's only a half ball pot. You mentioned

earlier on, sometimes he looks for things to go wrong, but that's only

because you're not confident, isn't it? Yes. I think sometimes, you

know, you're just trying to steady yourself on every shot. But

sometimes you've got to just take the rough with the smooth. Normally

And he has done. Nice angle on the green. Just a case now of potting

Well, not for the first time he missed a shot that he should have

potted. Talk a bit more about what you were saying about how he takes

a little bit too much time. What can go through a player's mind?

You're looking for what can go wrong rather than what can go right.

That's the way I see it. I've seen a lot of players over the years -

and played a few - you see them play on the practise table, they

are very big and fluent. They get down, as soon as they get out on

the match table they think, "If I play that cannon will it go wrong?

Will it finish too straight ?" Rather than let the natural flow of

things. That's definitely what happened today with Adrian. He has

had lots of chances. But he has given him a - another one here.

don't have to wait long for your chances in this match, particularly

after the interval. They have been coming thick and fast for both

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42 points in front. From this position he will be very

disappointed. He is still in this match at 5-3. Because Mark Allan is

now starting to miss. In the last three or four frames - Mark Allan

was playing so is well. Mark Allan is not playing as good as he was

So this black will clinch the 8th frame. There will come a time where

Adrian's belief may come back. OK, he's on the brink with his opponent

only needs one more frame. But Mark Allan it seems to me has just sort

of relaxed a little. You don't want to give these top players too much

rope. He has taken his foot off the gas, hasn't he? Yes.

(APPLAUSE) That was a nice shot. Played that

perfectly. I know it's easier now the frame is over. You don't expect

him to miss anything. But Mark Allan may be having a little think

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A bit scrappy the last couple of In goes the red. Not nicely. The

brown was on but the - a little tipple up to the green in behind

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This is a tough snooker. Obviously I expect him to hit a red. But can

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he leave it safe? That's the Mark Allan is going to have to be

very, very careful. He needs to get Played that nicely. Got to be

careful here, because if he keeps giving chances to Adrian he can't

keep missing them, you wouldn't So careless. We talked earlier on

in the match. Players of this class should never do that. If anything,

go on to a colour. I know the pinks are in the middle. Relying on luck.

Has he got any? He has got absolutely loads. That's is

unbelievable. Very fortunate. always say so many times, snooker

is a very skillful game. He wasn't happy with that, he wasn't happy

with the contact as soon as he hit T asking for the cue ball to be

clened but it's a bit late because he's the wrong side of the blue.

He knew the green was there just in case. He is on the pink or the

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This gives him a chance to win the frame and the match. The balls are

not ideally spread at the moment. Just caught a quick glimpse there.

Got a nice angle on the blew. 30 points the lead. It's not a

straightforward run to the winning line. Just got to play a few good

positional shots. That red in the middle of the table looks easy to

It's all about potting this red and getting a nice angle once again on

the blue. If he can do that, the frame and match is at his mercy. A

bit too far. It's on an angle. May even here decide to play on the two

reds just above the black. Wanted the angle on the blue but not this

much. Maybe worth the risk. Not playing it hard, just a gentle

little cannon. Don't tell me he is stuck on the red or nothing. Even

if he is on the red he will do well to get on a colour.

(APPLAUSE) He's got a 42-point lead. 67

remaining. But it's a decent lead. Doesn't need heroics here. I would

personally be maybe thinking of putting the pink on the side

cushion. Pink on the side cushion; that's a good choice. Makes it

It's not an easy safety shot this. He has to get it on and off the

cushion. The red near the left-hand side is causing a problem. He is

hope if he plays across it may move the red away from the pocket. Of

course the one he is playing could He has tried to cover the pocket.

How is the cue ball? I think he has played a good shot, to be honest.

(APPLAUSE) I'm just wondering, he can hit one

red, the one that's closest to the cushion, but maybe it's worth

taking the chance on the swerve here. He is playing the swerve is.

Good pot here if he makes contact. Oh, he bent it too much but he got

it any way. That was a fluke but it Just going for that a little bit

too much. He was very lucky for one more red and a colour for a place

in the second round. There is the red. And nicely on the blue. So it

looks like a formality now. (APPLAUSE)

A little bit straight on the blue but I don't think it matters. He

will be disappointed, Adrian. (APPLAUSE)

That just under lines the fact that Mark Allan is in the second round.

Nothing can put him off now. So,... Lots of chances but he was unable

to take them. Mark Allan, to be fair n the first half of this match

was in very good form, very focused, he runs out what you could say a

comfortable winner by 6 frames to three. Played the match very well.

I was hitting the ball nice. The table was beautiful. After the

break I lost focus. I didn't feel like I was hitting the ball too

well after the interval. I know Adrian is a great player away from

the cameras. It was a bit disrespectful of me to let that

happen. He is a good player. Didn't quite show what he is capable of

today. Put me under pressure and missed a few pots that he shouldn't

have. He will be back. A very good player. Mark Allan has gone through