Day 4 UK Snooker Championship Highlights

Highlights from day four of the UK Towards the end of last season,

very aggressive. A lot of the top players are aggressive. And I think

he was just a little more aggressive than the others. He's

got such massive cue power, that he's able to screw balls in from

baulk and kind of really work that In the world, everything seemed to

be going in. I'm not as confident as I was, but I still need to keep

going and eventually it will all When I start missing a few, he's

just gonna punish me. So I need to learn off the first or second one.

If I miss, I really need to play A lot of confidence, beaten a lot

of people, and enjoy playing as well. So, you know, he's got a

massive future ahead of him. Every game against Ronny is always

something to look forward to. I have to take my chances early on,

otherwise it's gonna be hard to come back.

Hello again. When it comes to crowd-pleasing these days, it seems

that Ronnie O'Sullivan's hair is just Judd Trump. He gets lots of

fans, special earlier in the year. So when the two of them, the Rocket

and the Juggernaut, are joined together, as they were today, it is

a formula for great snooker and big crowds, also which were in evidence

Trump can do about that. Now the cannon in the pink. That was

amazing. He hit that, to me, absolutely perfect. It must be

stuck there with superglue. This is a Judd Trump special. Oh, great

shot. What a shot. So it's building up nicely. All square, 2-2.

It doesn't matter. He got his all square at 4-4. All to play for.

Well this, red clinches it. Not without a little scare there.

Ronnie O'Sullivan leads five frames to four. He's gone for the pot, and

he's not kidding. And he's on the black. Unbelievable! What a shot

that was! There's a lot of tension in the air,

and it's not surprising. Ronnie O'Sullivan.

We're into a decider. Ronnie O'Sullivan must be thinking about

what might have been. He had a couple of good chances to clinch

the match. He didn't. It's 5-5. Trump went on to win, so we have

ourselves another decider. Judd in front first, but he's let Ronnie

O'Sullivan in with a possible long Could have potted it, I don't think

it would have gone anywhere near that red to the left, but, boy,

make the game look so simple sometimes, don't they? And yet you

get these moments of pressure, tension, and he's potted that red.

And he's not on the pink and I don't think he's on the black.

don't think he is. It's very close. Or is he? He was on the black. He

was on the black. I was looking at his body language, I didn't think

he was. So it wasn't as bad as I He had one in Belgium when they

played in the PTC. He beat Ronnie 4-3, one of the best matches I have

seen for quite some time. We've had great match-ups. If you remember

the days of Reardon, Spencer, Steven Henry, Jimmy White - this

could be the new headline - Ronnie O'Sullivan to Trump. If this is

reds out in the open. APPLAUSE

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 67 seconds

Just take the loose reds. Already the right-hand side of the table,

which are available, he's got those three reds in the middle tied up,

with just 67 remaining. Just coming around to have a look at that. Two

reds, on the right-hand side cushion. Definitely one of those

think it went. It certainly wasn't his intention, I don't think. But

can he see enough of it? Ronnie APPLAUSE

It's still open to debate as to who wins this match. OK. Long, long

odds to Trump, but... APPLAUSE

He's let Ronnie off the hook a bit the side kuation, but to bring it -

- cushion, but to bring it into play. Oh, he nearly nudged another

one. Of course, remember, with Ronnie being 67 points behind, 67

remaining, he's got to get blacks off these reds.

Great pot. And he's gonna be on the black. This is sensational!

remarkable clearances I have ever was an excellent shot as well.

Perfect angle on the red. Nice angle on the black. Just one good

cannon here. And couldn't have done it any

a heavy contact. This game ...it's so frustrating. The kick cost him!

That was unlucky. What a horrible way to end a match. Just played a

little with the heavy contact. So unlucky, Ronnie O'Sullivan. But

let's not take anything away from Judd Trump. He took everything from

the Rocket today, and played some great snooker and has come out a 6-

5 winner. A tremendous match. There will be plenty of matches with

these two and we can all look forward to that. Well played, Judd

Trump. Unlucky, Ronnie O'Sullivan. Credit to Judd. He played a great

match and he deserved his victory. Good luck to him for the rest of

the tournament. I knew I was still in the match at 2-2. It could have

been 3-1 or 4-0. He had a lot of chances but didn't take them. That

gave me a boost. We played decent up until after 5-4 and then a bit

twitchy. Ronnie could have won from then on. When he lost those chances,

I thought, "I can beat him here." He's a great player, probably the

most dangerous player I have ever played. You know, he's gonna take a

lot of stopping. Yeah, I didn't play good today. A lot of my game

wasn't great. But when I play like that and I still can beat Ronnie,

it's a nice confidence boost. And, like, I'm still in the tournament

so hopefully I can improve. Well, what a match. From the moment I got

here at the centre, there was that tremendous atmosphere. The boys

didn't disappointment. No. As soon as they came up the stairs, the

crowd were behind them. A fantastic atmosphere. Got us behind them in

the commentary box. We were looking forward to it as much as the crowd

were. Started off a little slow, but once both players got going, it

was really exciting. Just the way both players play the game, quick-

fire snooker, as people like to see. But I think the tactical side may

have played a big part. Ronnie couldn't get the safety play enough.

No. Even the break-off was so important. Ronnie left the cue ball

short a couple of times. Judd got in with some tremendous pots. Some

of the pots today were exceptional. We sit there and sometimes we

criticise his shot choice, but I'm not gonna do it anymore, because

you do what you like, Judd. Great to see. On the other hand, Ronnie

will be disappointed. 5-4 in front, had a chance on the brown, I

thought he was gonna clinch the match. Yeah, he had a good chance.

That last frame, well, Ronnie very unlucky to get the kick in the last.

Tied the frame at 67 apiece and make it a re spoil, but

unfortunately the kick cost him. A fantastic match, and we're gonna

see a lot of the these guys over the next few years. You need great

match-ups in any sport. We've had it over the years with Reardon,

Spencer, Higgins and White. I am sure they are gonna serve us up

plenty of those in the coming years. We had another match also this

morning. Matthew Stevens forced a decider with Ding Junhui. Former UK

champion, it was Stevens first before Ding's vital contribution of

62 was enough to see him over the line. Hugely impressive effort from

the Welshman, but the Chinese player is still on track for a

third UK title. Well, apart from those two matches,

the other news on everyone's lips concerned the comments yesterday

from Mark Allen about the running of the game. Northern Ireland's

world number 14 was criticised and indeed he was chasti zed for

comments as a press conference, and more specifically, his language at

that press conference. He strongly criticised the chairman, Barry Hern.

Today, Mark Allen was unrepentant. Never shy away from speaking my

mind. I think more need to do more of it. Too many have said exactly

what I said in my press conference yesterday, amongst themselves. But

they are not man enough to say it to the public and journalists and

have it documented. Obviously I have been criticised for swearing

on TV, or on the press conference. But I think obviously it's not

gonna set a good example, but I stand by everything I said. From

what I've been told, it came across as very, very negative towards

Barry, which does seem that way. But I don't know Barry. He's

probably a nice man. He's done very well for whatever tournaments he's

been at in the past. I'm sure he will do well in the future. I think

in the short term he's not making changes that will benefit the sport

and players. I don't understand the changes he's making. He's ruffling

a lot of feathers along the way. It's a pity I'm the only one

standing up to him. We've heard the comments about he's very critical

of Barry. I'm sure Barry will look at this issue himself, with Mark.

It was the use of inappropriate language we're concerned B the

matter's been referred to our disciplinary panel. It will make a

view and start to look at it now. Interesting to see what further

developments there are throughout the week on this particular story.

Now we're gonna concentrate on this evening's other match - John

Higgins up against fellow Scot, practice partner and great friend,

Stephen Maguire. It was Maguire who won the first frame. He's at the

table again. Willy Thorn and Dennis Taylor in

the box this time. go into the pocket if he's going to

pop this red. If he gets on that, it would really

open the rest up. Yeah, he's got an angle on the

black. If he could leave the white somewhere near the angle or just to

the left of it, the one at the back will go, or open up quite a few

reds up. Let's see if he does that now or

waits for a while. Nearly got the circle. Forcing through these reds

here now, because he has left that perfect angle that Dennis was

talking about. Two different ways you play this - topspin or

screwback or come off the opposition, or get a good kiss off

the reds. Oft cushion. And lucky for him, the -- off the cushion.

And lucky for him, the pink's strung out. A little bit fortunate

seconds." I think he thought the blue was on the spot and he was

gonna have to put the pink behind, on spot. But suddenly that blue

spot just appeared by magic. Of course, they have got a tough

job, referees. They have gotta concentrate 100% on what's going on

with all the rules these days, with misses and what have you.

probably thought, "Give me a couple Stephen Maguire's won three of

those. In fact, the last time he beat John Higgins was in the 2008

where the matches will be decided over two sessions.

He's in no-man's land, really. One of those shots where I think

that's how he just played for the register of the black and slightly

overscrewed it. If he had have gone harder, he would have had the one

on the pink spot in the opposite corner. He will take this on,

because he can get around the back of the reds.

Yeah, where he wanted to be. See that little white? That wourve

absolutely spot on. -- that would have been absolutely

spot on. This one looks a little bit dangerous. The other one with

the rest, he can play the shot for Very good. Very good. Well, he's

put himself in with a great chance to open up a 2-frame advantage

against the defending champion here. He's got a natural angle, if he

wants it. He doesn't need that many more, but he's got a natural angle

to cannon that little triangle of reds there. That would leave him

absolutely perfect. That was the shot. And now all the reds are in

the open. He only needs... Well, a few more, maybe three more reds to

make absolutely certain with There's another player that's made

over 200 competitive centuries. The Scots are brilliant. Maguire over

watching here, I suppose you could say served their apprenticeship

when they turned professional, practising with John Henry, and

then Stephen Maguire, if you're gonna learn quickly how to play the

game of snooker, couldn't pick a better person than Stephen Hendry

to learn off. held by Matthew Stevens - a break

of 140. Five times at the higher when you're enjoying yourself?

Coming to the end of four days' play, not three. A magnificent town,

is is good to be back at this centre. Wonderful venue,

wonderful crowds. Stephen Maguire, if he does go to make a century,

the only player to have compiled three centuries so far in the

tournament. He's on two at the moment. One good shot here and he

will get another one. Yeah, clever shot, that.

APPLAUSE He's gonna have to play this

difficult bit at some time. He Very well done. John Higgins

completely messed his last shot. He was playing for the blue and

completely mishit it. Very well done, Stephen Maguire. His 205th

competitive century. APPLAUSE

Now he's got a chance of the highest break, and �5,000, if he

can clear with probably pinks or blacks.

He's had a couple of maximum breaks in his career. One in the Schapelle

Corby Open way back in 2000 and one -- one in the Scottish Open way

back in 2000 and one in the China Open in 2008.

Well, you haven't seen any bounces off the cushions. I did have a chat

last night and they said it was bouncing a little bit off the

cushion in his match against Mark Williams. That was bouncing off the

black cushion, which we didn't see last night. This is a possible 144.

That will take a bit of beating. APPLAUSE

Been on every ball he played, apart from when he got on the pink in the

middle, when he possibly played to get on to the black - that was very

The proverbial on a string. Absolutely magnificent!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE The highest in the tournament. He

goes top of the list. That magnificent score of 144.

APPLAUSE Yes, that puts Stephen in pole

position for the 5-grand prize this week. Maguire surged into a a-is 1

lead -- 5-1 lead. Higgins made it 5-2. However, in frame eight,

Maguire looks like he's about to close out the match.

40 in front. This will be 46. So two more reds and covers. Should be

en en not his best shot. Made this red in the middle a

little more tricky than he would Hello, John Higgins. He's leading

6-3 in their head-to-heads. They have played twice in this UK

Championship. It's one each. It looks as if Stephen Maguire is

gonna be 2-1 up with regards to you get to that? To that ball

that's gonna take you through to the next round.

Never looked comfortable in that little break, did he? I think

suddenly he just thought about the to come off the top -- little shot

here to come off the top cushion. Just watch where he puts this cue

APPLAUSE I think... Not much of an angle, is

Better contact on that red, he would have put it on for the middle.

Absolutely. That's what he tried. He will certainly be swinging it

around two cushions to try and get in behind these two reds. Second

prize in the corner. That's tight on the cushion.

Now, has he covered them up? Has he covered them up? Yes, he has. He's

lifeline, because Stephen Maguire looked for all money like he was

gonna clear up earlier on. Oh, what a shot this would be, past the

yellow and into the corner. You can see what he's faced with. Oh. Look

at this - right in the middle of the pocket.

strength, this player, Willy, because we've seen him do it so

many times. This is the only difficult shot.

If he gets this last red now, he goes favourite to win these two on

was such an easy chance to win a frame in a match.

- either just a little bit left on side and go one cushion. Most

players decide to play two. Let's see what John fansies. Played off

two cushions. Might have gone too hard. He's played it absolutely

perfectly. He is quite remarkable, this man. He's right under the

pressure, amazing what he produces. He has been sit inning his seat,

felt it's all over - "I'm on my way a little bit of confidence, that

Stephen Maguire just saw the winning there. They all know,

whatever the score is, that Stephen Maguire's got a little bit of

twitching going on there. frames, John Higgins is looking the

best he has in the tournament so Maguire who's gonna go into the

quarterfinal against Judd Trump. John Higgins is back in the match,

but he still trails by three. Yes, Higgins is well on the march

now. His opponent is beginning to wobble just a little bit. Can the

world champion continue his charge? Let's find out? He's six points

could play into the pack here from this red. Very rarely do you play

in the pack with the red, but with the blue in the pocket, depends on

how he feels at the moment. He seems to have got himself right

back into this match. Just the one red out, and that's turned out very

nicely. Just flicked that one red into play. There was nothing to pot

I don't think he could have won this frame. Stephen Maguire's had

couple of shots -- in a couple of shots' time, could have a good

chance again. That will have to go as near to its own spot, in the

direct line behind it, in line with the black and the blue. He will

just line that up and just roll the pink towards the red. Must not be

just making sure he place the correct shot here, if he goes into

but he's fine. I think there's two or three reds available into this

the pink without any problem. many players in the game who could

produce this sort of snooker against someone like Stephen

Maguire, one of the top players in the game. 5-1, he led. He was one

shot away from a place in the himself a little strait on this

black. May have to just screw back, OK. He has that red I mentioned.

Some performance, this, isn't it? Unbelievable. Yeah, he's been given

a chance here, hasn't he? He's great to do it. But Stephen Maguire,

the last frame and a half, he's really struggled. And John Higgins

is the type of player, if you show one little bit of weakness, that

will give him the lifeline he needs. He looks like he's taking it with

both hands at the moment. This little red will leave all reds on.

APPLAUSE Three on the trot. And close the

gap of just one frame. Just having a quick glance at the

REFEREE: 54. A bit of noise from the other table,

couple of times, 9-5 down against Mark Williams in the final last

year. He won five frames in a row. That was a remarkable victory.

Every chance he could win five frames in a row here to keep

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 67 seconds

himself in this year's UK What a performance by John Higgins!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE He's had three breaks now. 101-4.

And that's 5. He still needs to get through to the quarterfinals.

The world champion is beaming fast. He might have missed a key black

builder Stephen Maguire is, as he showed in the second frame. Not

quite as much pressure as there is now.

chance he's had to win a frame of the match now. Will he take this

This is the key shot. He has to get the kiss right. He

would like to screw the same corner as the black, but once he hits the

four all on thelands, he could be fine. He could hold it, so the

bottom red pass... 24. From our commentary position, this one was

APPLAUSE And he's in business.

He's played for the loose one, the one at the back still goes. Not a

bad choice. The way he was cuing up, it looked as if he was gonna screw

that black in. But can he hold himself together?

He's faced a bit of an on slaught from the defending champion in the

because he was a bit closer to the Dennis was talking about, to go

into the bunch. He didn't have to at that time. He knew if they split

nicely, he would have a choice of shots. He's probably one red away

from making this a certain cleanerance. From everything else,

a little bit of stuns and screws. If he gets nicely now, I can't see

Higgins coming back to the table. John Higgins, his name is on the

trophy three times. APPLAUSE

REFEREE: 41. He just looked at the other table

there. That's the trophy that he once.

REFEREE: 48. REFEREE: 49. All right 43 in front.

He would have to do something very chance.

REFEREE: 56. And then he missed a black that we didn't expect him to,

win in the end, Willy, it looked like he could have won this match

6-1. But John Higgins put up a fantastic fight-back, winning three

in a row. APPLAUSE

REFEREE: 63. Regardless of who won this match, it's gonna be a game

against Judd Trump. The defending champion will be on his way back up

to Scotland. misses this red, but Jim Maguire

looks like he is in the next round. John Higgins, congratulations.

(LAUGHTER). He put up a real fight for the defending champion Higgins,

Maguire was a little too strong for him on the night. He goes out by 6

to 4. A great contest. Tonight's other match Neil Robertson against

Graham Dot in a repeat of the Crucible final. That is it. Snooker

Extra follows next then we will be back tomorrow afternoon at 1