:00:34. > :00:40.Hello. There has been a castle on this spot in the city of York since
:00:41. > :00:44.the days of William the Congress, nearly 1000 years ago. A lot of
:00:45. > :00:47.history made in this beautiful place ever since. Some of it other
:00:48. > :00:51.sporting nature. This is the tenth time we have arrived in Newark in
:00:52. > :00:57.the run-up to Christmas receiver byes United Kingdom championship. It
:00:58. > :01:01.is the first of the biggest three events of sleeper, the so-called
:01:02. > :01:03.triple Crown events. Over the next nine days, we will find out who will
:01:04. > :02:29.join this dynasty of winners. 20 different winners since the
:02:30. > :02:33.inaugural UK Championship in 1977. Now we're in the warmth of the
:02:34. > :02:37.Barbican centre for the 40th playing of this great championship with a
:02:38. > :02:41.trophy up for grabs. Can it really be six months since our little team
:02:42. > :02:46.was with you at the Crucible final night in May. How the world has
:02:47. > :02:50.changed since then. The appeal of this game is enduring and familiar,
:02:51. > :02:55.despite the fact that we haven't missed -- we have eight Mr Trump in
:02:56. > :02:59.our ranks. That is jobs not Donald. This time last year it was Neil
:03:00. > :03:02.Robertson who watched away with the trophy after a stunning performance
:03:03. > :03:21.in the final which he made a maximum break. He is one of several big
:03:22. > :03:27.names to exit at stage one. A grand total of four friends played
:03:28. > :03:31.including seven. 50 matches going to an 11th hour deciding frame. We have
:03:32. > :03:34.had a few surprise exits including Mark King just days after he won his
:03:35. > :03:39.first-ever ranking title at the Northern Ireland open. One seismic
:03:40. > :03:46.shot with the defending champion, Neil Robertson, falling at the first
:03:47. > :03:51.hurdle. I started the season really well. The first four events, one of
:03:52. > :03:53.them was a win. Peter Lyons was probably the toughest out of all the
:03:54. > :03:58.first rounders to get because of his experience. He wasn't going to miss
:03:59. > :04:06.easy balls under pressure and leave me in. He has a great amount of
:04:07. > :04:10.experience. He put me under pressure with his safety. There wasn't a
:04:11. > :04:15.great deal I could do. I wasn't good enough to create enough openings. No
:04:16. > :04:19.surprise that our six time winner of the UK Championships is still the
:04:20. > :04:24.record-holder. Steve Davis with us again. We have got to ask, it is
:04:25. > :04:28.your first summer as a nonprofessional having retired at
:04:29. > :04:32.the Crucible. How did you fill your days? By not going to the practice
:04:33. > :04:36.table when the other players were back in the grindstone. That's a
:04:37. > :04:40.different of mentality. I miss the game from the competitive part that
:04:41. > :04:44.the standards is so -- the standard is so high now that it wouldn't have
:04:45. > :04:50.made much difference. But you are ready to go on the punditry. And is
:04:51. > :04:57.exciting to back here. We have noticed a few bumpy landings. Neil
:04:58. > :05:01.Robertson to Peter lines. Now an amateur having gone back into the
:05:02. > :05:06.amateur ranks. How would you rate that on the Richter scale of shocks?
:05:07. > :05:12.It is hard to say if they are shocks are not. The UK Championship used to
:05:13. > :05:17.be that -- best of 17, it is now best of 11. Best of 11 is still a
:05:18. > :05:21.pretty fair test. If you look at the China International, the really high
:05:22. > :05:25.standard of the players that got through to the quarterfinal. Last
:05:26. > :05:30.year here, a few more surprises in the best of 11 is. The best of
:05:31. > :05:34.sevens we play now. I think we could argue that is a bit more of a
:05:35. > :05:38.lottery. But still a match to get your teeth into. The standard
:05:39. > :05:45.continues to get higher and higher in this game. Even though we have
:05:46. > :05:49.shocks, there are not many shock winners of the UK Championship. The
:05:50. > :05:53.cream rises to the top. I wonder who will be the man with the name of the
:05:54. > :05:56.trophy this year. 64 players starting the second round today. A
:05:57. > :06:01.very tight squeeze at the Barbican centre. For matches and here in the
:06:02. > :06:09.main arena. This afternoon, while War I and world champion Selby
:06:10. > :06:12.playing Daniel Wells. This snooker's most informed player, John Higgins,
:06:13. > :06:18.up against one of the many tied players making an impact on the
:06:19. > :06:26.circuit. In Glasgow, Stephen Maguire on a mission to get back into the
:06:27. > :06:32.top 16. Whilst Mark Williams, in his 25th season in the sport, they think
:06:33. > :06:37.the Warrior, Andrew Higginson. It is so busy in here that we are having
:06:38. > :06:41.to use a second arena as well. Just at the back where John is. There
:06:42. > :06:47.will be plenty of snooker played in the main auditorium but plenty still
:06:48. > :06:52.in here. We have for a table set and some cracking matches. Luca Brecel,
:06:53. > :06:58.the Belgian bullets, taking on Sam Craigie. He beat Mark King. Mark
:06:59. > :07:03.King forgot to bring his cue. Dominic Dale, a match player not to
:07:04. > :07:09.be underestimated, takes on Graeme Dott. Rest assured we will keep you
:07:10. > :07:18.up-to-date with the score is through the afternoon. Starting with a man
:07:19. > :07:21.at the top of the tree. No one has been able to shift Mark Selby from
:07:22. > :07:25.the top spot for 21 months. After winning his second world title, he
:07:26. > :07:46.is the man to catch right now. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Up
:07:47. > :07:49.until the semifinal, I didn't play fantastically. I started off well in
:07:50. > :07:55.the final. I played well to wards the end which was a pleasing thing.
:07:56. > :08:01.I knew he was going to be under a bit of pressure. Also the pressure
:08:02. > :08:05.of China. I knew I needed to get off to a good session because if you get
:08:06. > :08:10.on top of me it is one of the best front runners in the game. Such a
:08:11. > :08:15.big tournaments. You seem to try a little bit harder in that turn and
:08:16. > :08:20.then any other. The pressure is something you can't really
:08:21. > :08:25.experience until you play. The first time when I got to the world final
:08:26. > :08:33.in 2007, I was a qualifier. There was no pressure on me and I wasn't
:08:34. > :08:37.really expected to win. I put so much pressure on myself over the
:08:38. > :08:50.year to try and win it. Until you do, you always doubt yourself. Doing
:08:51. > :08:54.it for the first time in 2014, I thought it would be a great feeling.
:08:55. > :08:57.I thought if I win it again it wouldn't feel as good at it felt
:08:58. > :09:19.exactly the same as winning the first time.
:09:20. > :09:27.Plenty of tricks afterwords. When I got home we had another party as
:09:28. > :09:33.well with my friends and family. Great memories for him. 28-year-old
:09:34. > :09:37.Daniel Wells has not taken him on further three years, during which
:09:38. > :09:45.time the young Welshman has fallen off the professional tour. He is
:09:46. > :09:52.wielding a new cue. Some notable wins. How about this challenge
:09:53. > :09:59.today? Very interesting indeed. We have former world champions Dennis
:10:00. > :10:02.Taylor and Stephen Hendry. He has nothing to lose. I would tell him to
:10:03. > :10:07.get out there and just enjoy the game. Easier said than done. This
:10:08. > :10:12.lad almost got through to the Crucible in the first year. He lost
:10:13. > :10:17.10-9 to Barry Hawkins. Otherwise he would have qualified to Sheffield.
:10:18. > :10:20.The game gets tougher and tougher. A very talented player. So many great
:10:21. > :10:25.players from that neck of the woods in South Wales. We always go on
:10:26. > :10:32.about how important it is to make a good start but it really is today.
:10:33. > :10:37.Definitely against Mark Selby. If he hasn't the top of this form he is
:10:38. > :10:40.very tough to beat. If he is not playing well, he is still tough to
:10:41. > :10:44.beat. That's why he has been number one for so long. Go out there,
:10:45. > :10:52.Daniel, and give it your best shot. He has nothing to lose. Just enjoy
:10:53. > :10:56.it. This is what you are judged by, winning these major championships.
:10:57. > :10:59.There are so many big tournaments throughout the world. As the top
:11:00. > :11:03.player and World War I, you want to prove yourself in the elite
:11:04. > :11:07.tournaments. This is the first of three. He would look at this
:11:08. > :11:14.tournament as one who would want to win. He has had ups and downs from
:11:15. > :11:18.the sublime to the ridiculous. Winning a turn into China and since
:11:19. > :11:23.then not winning a detriment. He sometimes looks at pain with his
:11:24. > :11:28.game. This is a massive event. As world War I, he should be up for
:11:29. > :11:34.this. Net thanks very much. Rob Walker, it is all yours. Thank you,
:11:35. > :11:39.John. Good afternoon. We are back in Yorkshire at the Barbican for the
:11:40. > :11:57.first of nine days of superb world action. Top quality drama every step
:11:58. > :12:01.of the way. Please welcome a former Asian and world under 21 champion,
:12:02. > :12:05.quarterfinalist at this year's China open, beating former world champion
:12:06. > :12:19.in the first round, from Thailand, not when Saengkham.
:12:20. > :12:31.His opponents, player who has enjoyed a spectacular month winning
:12:32. > :12:35.the champion of champions, the China championship and mailing a 1-4-
:12:36. > :12:38.seven in Northern Ireland. He has reminded us all that he is still in
:12:39. > :12:40.his Woody for a year as a pro at the very peak of his powers, the Wizard
:12:41. > :13:03.of Wishaw, John Higgins. On table one, please welcome a
:13:04. > :13:07.player who came through a tense final frame against Ian Burns.
:13:08. > :13:08.Former European championship winner, he won his place through cue school
:13:09. > :13:32.must year, from Neath, Daniel Wells. And his opponent, a player whose
:13:33. > :13:36.laid-back attitude to life leaves little clue of the incredible mental
:13:37. > :13:40.strength and determination he displays on the table. A brilliant
:13:41. > :13:46.second world title earlier this year. He is the reigning world
:13:47. > :14:06.champion, the current drama one, the gesture from Leicester, Mark Selby.
:14:07. > :14:11.It matches on the go so we will keep you posted on the main storylines as
:14:12. > :14:20.we go through the afternoon. You have a choice of which of the main
:14:21. > :14:24.tables you watch. You can use the BBC sport that when your favourite
:14:25. > :14:31.device. We are with Dennis and Stephen on table one. Good afternoon
:14:32. > :14:39.to everyone. It's good to be back in the Barbican. It is the left-hander
:14:40. > :14:42.from Neath who won the toss. People get this match under way. A big day
:14:43. > :14:53.for this Welsh player. It would be interesting to see how
:14:54. > :15:15.he copes with the television table. You don't often see a TV round this
:15:16. > :15:23.early in the determinants. A lot of tournaments are down to 16 players.
:15:24. > :15:27.Usually you just hear about Mark Selby having come through this match
:15:28. > :15:35.in the previous round but we are actually watching it today. It is a
:15:36. > :15:41.big test. Always nice to get the first long read in. My scan and not
:15:42. > :15:45.read. The keyboardist ended up side cushion. Almost as tough as the long
:15:46. > :16:01.read. That was cute beautifully. That was
:16:02. > :16:12.a tough shot. He just knocked it in. The chance to open up a few more
:16:13. > :16:18.here and get through to the black. He has gone is closer to the cushion
:16:19. > :16:25.than he intended. It is never easy when you're cannon in reds. Has he
:16:26. > :16:37.got a slight angle? Having to dig down services tough as well.
:16:38. > :16:43.That was cute beautifully. That was the other end of the spectrum. That
:16:44. > :16:47.was not cued well at all. Tough shot. I still expected him to get
:16:48. > :17:00.it. What a result he did get when he
:17:01. > :17:06.missed the black. The black when safe in the white one safe. They
:17:07. > :17:11.left for Daniel. He could do with a nice easy starter just to get a bit
:17:12. > :17:18.of confidence going. Mark was rather fortunate when he missed the black.
:17:19. > :17:31.The possibility of a plant here but it is the safety shot he is after.
:17:32. > :17:34.He has hit that for a too thin. There is no value. There is a red
:17:35. > :17:49.off to the right corner but no colour.
:17:50. > :17:59.He seems to be having a problem with his tie. Always very smart, Mark
:18:00. > :18:24.Selby. Always immaculate. He did try to bring the black into
:18:25. > :18:34.play there. But he did not send the road onto the black as he intended.
:18:35. > :18:40.Bring the black out into play. A bit of an awkward table now. Not in a
:18:41. > :19:08.good spot either. He can bring the blackout this time.
:19:09. > :19:13.Up to the ball cushion, some work behind the yellow and blue.
:19:14. > :19:19.I'm a little bit disappointed he hasn't brought the black further out
:19:20. > :19:20.into the middle of the table but a good cue ball. Keeping the pressure
:19:21. > :20:00.on Daniel. He has done a good job. Usually on
:20:01. > :20:07.the first day you can get a bit of a role on the table. The fact that
:20:08. > :20:17.tables these days must be magnificent to play on. So fast.
:20:18. > :20:24.Playing conditions these days are terrific. It is the table heater
:20:25. > :20:30.that keeps the slight warmth. A lower setting this year than last
:20:31. > :20:34.season when they were at 50. They had a problem with one of the tables
:20:35. > :20:39.at the Crucible, the first week it played terrible. The reason they
:20:40. > :20:48.have lowered the temperatures, to try to stop the bouncers. Venues
:20:49. > :20:51.like this, there is so much heat from the TV lights. You don't
:20:52. > :21:04.willingly did table heater is sometimes.
:21:05. > :21:16.Past the yellow map I don't think so. I don't think the red. There is
:21:17. > :21:35.no way that will go past the yellow. Justin behind the green.
:21:36. > :21:45.He was like to try and round in the red. Looking at where he is aiming,
:21:46. > :21:49.he is going to have to hit three cushions together. It is not an easy
:21:50. > :22:02.shot by any means. Especially with the spider. He has a chance of
:22:03. > :22:10.possibly getting there. That is not a bad effort. It just slid off
:22:11. > :22:16.slightly. He just checked to see if that red goes in the middle pocket.
:22:17. > :22:27.Mark is now checking. He is going to pull it back. I think the mind he
:22:28. > :22:32.was looking at was there. My first line is a little bit out. That's the
:22:33. > :22:46.sort of line used to get. Just to the left of the first line that I
:22:47. > :23:00.have there. Let's see if he can get a bit closer this time.
:23:01. > :23:31.He has had to goals. Will it be certain lucky? The slide of the
:23:32. > :23:33.third cushion, he has got to judge. That is better, Stephen. Spot on
:23:34. > :24:09.this time. Mark Selby have to be one of the
:24:10. > :24:12.best tactical players we have ever had in the game, as one of punch as
:24:13. > :24:21.well as one of the best break-builders. His safety game is
:24:22. > :24:29.superb. Even his see game is so difficult to beat. You have to
:24:30. > :24:31.really us of the victory. The best I have ever seen at winning ugly, no
:24:32. > :24:58.doubt about it. Not a lot players can do about this
:24:59. > :25:03.when the black gets tied up. When he got near the cushion and tried to
:25:04. > :25:08.put the black, Mr Doctor spots. It has just made it an awkward frame.
:25:09. > :25:10.Neither player would have wanted this but at least it gives Daniel a
:25:11. > :27:18.chance to settle in. The he might just be able to take a
:27:19. > :27:24.pop song. For reds 30 derided the pink. He can play a safety shot of
:27:25. > :27:27.the same time. Although he is not even looking about, just making sure
:27:28. > :27:29.he gets the white back down the table. Probably a little bit of
:27:30. > :27:52.risk. Not a great deal to play behind with
:27:53. > :28:15.the safety shot. The green is out of commission. The yellow is fit spot.
:28:16. > :28:35.This is a tough shot. Very easy to catch this.
:28:36. > :28:56.Tough shot, it was too far the other way.
:28:57. > :28:59.Checking the cloth, to give an indication of exactly where the cue
:29:00. > :29:25.ball was. The thick contact, does not look
:29:26. > :29:27.like has left the pot on. Trying to bring the black into play. Open this
:29:28. > :30:14.pack up. Not sure, if that was heading in the
:30:15. > :30:23.pocket. Seems to move away from the commission of the last moment. Let's
:30:24. > :30:27.have a look. Turning slightly. That has opened the
:30:28. > :30:36.game up. The end of the stalemate. Not got the cue ball where he
:30:37. > :31:18.intended. A choice of a couple of raids into
:31:19. > :31:36.the corner here. Possibly read middle. -- couple of reds. Don't
:31:37. > :31:40.know whether he has the Hangeland is read, to come off cushion, cannon
:31:41. > :31:52.off the pink closest to the black spot. Leaving the pink to the left
:31:53. > :31:54.corner. If he chooses to play back-up to the blue, tough to avoid
:31:55. > :32:16.the cannon off the red. Played for the blue, but hit made
:32:17. > :32:37.far too hard. A couple of reds near the pink spot available.
:32:38. > :32:43.This mark Selby a big lad, six foot two, six foot three. Spread right
:32:44. > :32:49.across the table. That has the pink in the open, the
:32:50. > :33:30.black is still tied up in baulk. Don't know if the black is available
:33:31. > :33:37.to the left corner, that would make this easier. Obviously is. Not the
:33:38. > :33:43.best positional shot. Would have likely been straight on the black,
:33:44. > :34:22.not as close to the cushion. Not straightforward.
:34:23. > :34:28.Manufactured a natural angle to drop behind it, worked perfectly. A
:34:29. > :35:08.chance to win this game for Daniel Wells. Work this out very well.
:35:09. > :35:14.Looking at Daniel's stance, more traditional than many of the
:35:15. > :35:24.modern-day players. Square on. He has won foot in front of the other.
:35:25. > :35:29.That goes back to the days of Joe Davis, author professionals, well
:35:30. > :35:32.there wasn't that many of them. They will do the same. The modern game, a
:35:33. > :35:55.lot of players are square on. Very calm around the table. Looks
:35:56. > :36:04.like has a very good temperament. Just only that slightly. A tough
:36:05. > :36:09.game for these lads. Almost got off to a good start in qualifying in his
:36:10. > :36:17.first season. Barry Hawkins beating him 10-9. Stopped in getting to the
:36:18. > :36:21.Crucible. Talented player. Served his apprenticeship, eight years on
:36:22. > :36:49.and off the tour. This is a big day for the Welsh player.
:36:50. > :36:56.He has lost the cue ball completely. A few shots ago landed straight on
:36:57. > :37:15.the black. This is what has happened because of it.
:37:16. > :37:22.Disappointing end, for all the hard work, creating a good chance to win
:37:23. > :37:28.the frame. Having got that position, just a careless positional shot.
:37:29. > :38:37.Causing him to lose the cue ball. To leave himself so straight, a poor
:38:38. > :38:44.shot. Back at the table. At the moment, favourite to win the frame.
:38:45. > :38:56.Could disappear quickly he lets Mark Selby back to the table. This long
:38:57. > :39:04.frame has helped them settle down. He could do with winning it. You
:39:05. > :39:13.don't want to be making a 47 break, losing the frame. I know it is the
:39:14. > :39:21.best of 11. Not a sprint match, the best-of-7. Could do with taking this
:39:22. > :39:25.frame, Daniel. When you are playing the world number one, the top player
:39:26. > :40:03.in the world, you have to take these opportunities. He knows it.
:40:04. > :40:13.This taking this on, looking to find a gap. May have to go around the
:40:14. > :40:19.pink. Could go wrong. Playing part of this shot is knocking the
:40:20. > :40:36.red in. He has gone around the back of the pink.
:40:37. > :40:44.Tricky blue, donate it is the natural angle to come off it and
:40:45. > :40:47.Canada pink. As to be careful here. Tighten the cushion, as you can see.
:40:48. > :41:10.-- cannon off the pink. Easy on one to the middle? -- is he
:41:11. > :41:31.on one. Must be tight, but he feels he can see enough of that.
:41:32. > :41:54.He could see it, he missed it to the left of the pocket.
:41:55. > :42:02.STUDIO: We are settling in, moving over to BBC Two for the rest of our
:42:03. > :42:10.afternoon. A date with the international rugby. We hope you can
:42:11. > :42:11.settle in with us on