Second Round: Featuring Mark Selby - Part 1 UK Snooker Championship

Hello. There has been a castle on this spot in the city of York since

the days of William the Congress, nearly 1000 years ago. A lot of

history made in this beautiful place ever since. Some of it other

sporting nature. This is the tenth time we have arrived in Newark in

the run-up to Christmas receiver byes United Kingdom championship. It

is the first of the biggest three events of sleeper, the so-called

triple Crown events. Over the next nine days, we will find out who will

join this dynasty of winners. 20 different winners since the

inaugural UK Championship in 1977. Now we're in the warmth of the

Barbican centre for the 40th playing of this great championship with a

trophy up for grabs. Can it really be six months since our little team

was with you at the Crucible final night in May. How the world has

changed since then. The appeal of this game is enduring and familiar,

despite the fact that we haven't missed -- we have eight Mr Trump in

our ranks. That is jobs not Donald. This time last year it was Neil

Robertson who watched away with the trophy after a stunning performance

in the final which he made a maximum break. He is one of several big

names to exit at stage one. A grand total of four friends played

including seven. 50 matches going to an 11th hour deciding frame. We have

had a few surprise exits including Mark King just days after he won his

first-ever ranking title at the Northern Ireland open. One seismic

shot with the defending champion, Neil Robertson, falling at the first

hurdle. I started the season really well. The first four events, one of

them was a win. Peter Lyons was probably the toughest out of all the

first rounders to get because of his experience. He wasn't going to miss

easy balls under pressure and leave me in. He has a great amount of

experience. He put me under pressure with his safety. There wasn't a

great deal I could do. I wasn't good enough to create enough openings. No

surprise that our six time winner of the UK Championships is still the

record-holder. Steve Davis with us again. We have got to ask, it is

your first summer as a nonprofessional having retired at

the Crucible. How did you fill your days? By not going to the practice

table when the other players were back in the grindstone. That's a

different of mentality. I miss the game from the competitive part that

the standards is so -- the standard is so high now that it wouldn't have

made much difference. But you are ready to go on the punditry. And is

exciting to back here. We have noticed a few bumpy landings. Neil

Robertson to Peter lines. Now an amateur having gone back into the

amateur ranks. How would you rate that on the Richter scale of shocks?

It is hard to say if they are shocks are not. The UK Championship used to

be that -- best of 17, it is now best of 11. Best of 11 is still a

pretty fair test. If you look at the China International, the really high

standard of the players that got through to the quarterfinal. Last

year here, a few more surprises in the best of 11 is. The best of

sevens we play now. I think we could argue that is a bit more of a

lottery. But still a match to get your teeth into. The standard

continues to get higher and higher in this game. Even though we have

shocks, there are not many shock winners of the UK Championship. The

cream rises to the top. I wonder who will be the man with the name of the

trophy this year. 64 players starting the second round today. A

very tight squeeze at the Barbican centre. For matches and here in the

main arena. This afternoon, while War I and world champion Selby

playing Daniel Wells. This snooker's most informed player, John Higgins,

up against one of the many tied players making an impact on the

circuit. In Glasgow, Stephen Maguire on a mission to get back into the

top 16. Whilst Mark Williams, in his 25th season in the sport, they think

the Warrior, Andrew Higginson. It is so busy in here that we are having

to use a second arena as well. Just at the back where John is. There

will be plenty of snooker played in the main auditorium but plenty still

in here. We have for a table set and some cracking matches. Luca Brecel,

the Belgian bullets, taking on Sam Craigie. He beat Mark King. Mark

King forgot to bring his cue. Dominic Dale, a match player not to

be underestimated, takes on Graeme Dott. Rest assured we will keep you

up-to-date with the score is through the afternoon. Starting with a man

at the top of the tree. No one has been able to shift Mark Selby from

the top spot for 21 months. After winning his second world title, he

is the man to catch right now. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Up

until the semifinal, I didn't play fantastically. I started off well in

the final. I played well to wards the end which was a pleasing thing.

I knew he was going to be under a bit of pressure. Also the pressure

of China. I knew I needed to get off to a good session because if you get

on top of me it is one of the best front runners in the game. Such a

big tournaments. You seem to try a little bit harder in that turn and

then any other. The pressure is something you can't really

experience until you play. The first time when I got to the world final

in 2007, I was a qualifier. There was no pressure on me and I wasn't

really expected to win. I put so much pressure on myself over the

year to try and win it. Until you do, you always doubt yourself. Doing

it for the first time in 2014, I thought it would be a great feeling.

I thought if I win it again it wouldn't feel as good at it felt

exactly the same as winning the first time.

Plenty of tricks afterwords. When I got home we had another party as

well with my friends and family. Great memories for him. 28-year-old

Daniel Wells has not taken him on further three years, during which

time the young Welshman has fallen off the professional tour. He is

wielding a new cue. Some notable wins. How about this challenge

today? Very interesting indeed. We have former world champions Dennis

Taylor and Stephen Hendry. He has nothing to lose. I would tell him to

get out there and just enjoy the game. Easier said than done. This

lad almost got through to the Crucible in the first year. He lost

10-9 to Barry Hawkins. Otherwise he would have qualified to Sheffield.

The game gets tougher and tougher. A very talented player. So many great

players from that neck of the woods in South Wales. We always go on

about how important it is to make a good start but it really is today.

Definitely against Mark Selby. If he hasn't the top of this form he is

very tough to beat. If he is not playing well, he is still tough to

beat. That's why he has been number one for so long. Go out there,

Daniel, and give it your best shot. He has nothing to lose. Just enjoy

it. This is what you are judged by, winning these major championships.

There are so many big tournaments throughout the world. As the top

player and World War I, you want to prove yourself in the elite

tournaments. This is the first of three. He would look at this

tournament as one who would want to win. He has had ups and downs from

the sublime to the ridiculous. Winning a turn into China and since

then not winning a detriment. He sometimes looks at pain with his

game. This is a massive event. As world War I, he should be up for

this. Net thanks very much. Rob Walker, it is all yours. Thank you,

John. Good afternoon. We are back in Yorkshire at the Barbican for the

first of nine days of superb world action. Top quality drama every step

of the way. Please welcome a former Asian and world under 21 champion,

quarterfinalist at this year's China open, beating former world champion

in the first round, from Thailand, not when Saengkham.

His opponents, player who has enjoyed a spectacular month winning

the champion of champions, the China championship and mailing a 1-4-

seven in Northern Ireland. He has reminded us all that he is still in

his Woody for a year as a pro at the very peak of his powers, the Wizard

of Wishaw, John Higgins. On table one, please welcome a

player who came through a tense final frame against Ian Burns.

Former European championship winner, he won his place through cue school

must year, from Neath, Daniel Wells. And his opponent, a player whose

laid-back attitude to life leaves little clue of the incredible mental

strength and determination he displays on the table. A brilliant

second world title earlier this year. He is the reigning world

champion, the current drama one, the gesture from Leicester, Mark Selby.

It matches on the go so we will keep you posted on the main storylines as

we go through the afternoon. You have a choice of which of the main

tables you watch. You can use the BBC sport that when your favourite

device. We are with Dennis and Stephen on table one. Good afternoon

to everyone. It's good to be back in the Barbican. It is the left-hander

from Neath who won the toss. People get this match under way. A big day

for this Welsh player. It would be interesting to see how

he copes with the television table. You don't often see a TV round this

early in the determinants. A lot of tournaments are down to 16 players.

Usually you just hear about Mark Selby having come through this match

in the previous round but we are actually watching it today. It is a

big test. Always nice to get the first long read in. My scan and not

read. The keyboardist ended up side cushion. Almost as tough as the long

read. That was cute beautifully. That was

a tough shot. He just knocked it in. The chance to open up a few more

here and get through to the black. He has gone is closer to the cushion

than he intended. It is never easy when you're cannon in reds. Has he

got a slight angle? Having to dig down services tough as well.

That was cute beautifully. That was the other end of the spectrum. That

was not cued well at all. Tough shot. I still expected him to get

it. What a result he did get when he

missed the black. The black when safe in the white one safe. They

left for Daniel. He could do with a nice easy starter just to get a bit

of confidence going. Mark was rather fortunate when he missed the black.

The possibility of a plant here but it is the safety shot he is after.

He has hit that for a too thin. There is no value. There is a red

off to the right corner but no colour.

He seems to be having a problem with his tie. Always very smart, Mark

Selby. Always immaculate. He did try to bring the black into

play there. But he did not send the road onto the black as he intended.

Bring the black out into play. A bit of an awkward table now. Not in a

good spot either. He can bring the blackout this time.

Up to the ball cushion, some work behind the yellow and blue.

I'm a little bit disappointed he hasn't brought the black further out

into the middle of the table but a good cue ball. Keeping the pressure

on Daniel. He has done a good job. Usually on

the first day you can get a bit of a role on the table. The fact that

tables these days must be magnificent to play on. So fast.

Playing conditions these days are terrific. It is the table heater

that keeps the slight warmth. A lower setting this year than last

season when they were at 50. They had a problem with one of the tables

at the Crucible, the first week it played terrible. The reason they

have lowered the temperatures, to try to stop the bouncers. Venues

like this, there is so much heat from the TV lights. You don't

willingly did table heater is sometimes.

Past the yellow map I don't think so. I don't think the red. There is

no way that will go past the yellow. Justin behind the green.

He was like to try and round in the red. Looking at where he is aiming,

he is going to have to hit three cushions together. It is not an easy

shot by any means. Especially with the spider. He has a chance of

possibly getting there. That is not a bad effort. It just slid off

slightly. He just checked to see if that red goes in the middle pocket.

Mark is now checking. He is going to pull it back. I think the mind he

was looking at was there. My first line is a little bit out. That's the

sort of line used to get. Just to the left of the first line that I

have there. Let's see if he can get a bit closer this time.

He has had to goals. Will it be certain lucky? The slide of the

third cushion, he has got to judge. That is better, Stephen. Spot on

this time. Mark Selby have to be one of the

best tactical players we have ever had in the game, as one of punch as

well as one of the best break-builders. His safety game is

superb. Even his see game is so difficult to beat. You have to

really us of the victory. The best I have ever seen at winning ugly, no

doubt about it. Not a lot players can do about this

when the black gets tied up. When he got near the cushion and tried to

put the black, Mr Doctor spots. It has just made it an awkward frame.

Neither player would have wanted this but at least it gives Daniel a

chance to settle in. The he might just be able to take a

pop song. For reds 30 derided the pink. He can play a safety shot of

the same time. Although he is not even looking about, just making sure

he gets the white back down the table. Probably a little bit of

risk. Not a great deal to play behind with

the safety shot. The green is out of commission. The yellow is fit spot.

This is a tough shot. Very easy to catch this.

Tough shot, it was too far the other way.

Checking the cloth, to give an indication of exactly where the cue

ball was. The thick contact, does not look

like has left the pot on. Trying to bring the black into play. Open this

pack up. Not sure, if that was heading in the

pocket. Seems to move away from the commission of the last moment. Let's

have a look. Turning slightly. That has opened the

game up. The end of the stalemate. Not got the cue ball where he

intended. A choice of a couple of raids into

the corner here. Possibly read middle. -- couple of reds. Don't

know whether he has the Hangeland is read, to come off cushion, cannon

off the pink closest to the black spot. Leaving the pink to the left

corner. If he chooses to play back-up to the blue, tough to avoid

the cannon off the red. Played for the blue, but hit made

far too hard. A couple of reds near the pink spot available.

This mark Selby a big lad, six foot two, six foot three. Spread right

across the table. That has the pink in the open, the

black is still tied up in baulk. Don't know if the black is available

to the left corner, that would make this easier. Obviously is. Not the

best positional shot. Would have likely been straight on the black,

not as close to the cushion. Not straightforward.

Manufactured a natural angle to drop behind it, worked perfectly. A

chance to win this game for Daniel Wells. Work this out very well.

Looking at Daniel's stance, more traditional than many of the

modern-day players. Square on. He has won foot in front of the other.

That goes back to the days of Joe Davis, author professionals, well

there wasn't that many of them. They will do the same. The modern game, a

lot of players are square on. Very calm around the table. Looks

like has a very good temperament. Just only that slightly. A tough

game for these lads. Almost got off to a good start in qualifying in his

first season. Barry Hawkins beating him 10-9. Stopped in getting to the

Crucible. Talented player. Served his apprenticeship, eight years on

and off the tour. This is a big day for the Welsh player.

He has lost the cue ball completely. A few shots ago landed straight on

the black. This is what has happened because of it.

Disappointing end, for all the hard work, creating a good chance to win

the frame. Having got that position, just a careless positional shot.

Causing him to lose the cue ball. To leave himself so straight, a poor

shot. Back at the table. At the moment, favourite to win the frame.

Could disappear quickly he lets Mark Selby back to the table. This long

frame has helped them settle down. He could do with winning it. You

don't want to be making a 47 break, losing the frame. I know it is the

best of 11. Not a sprint match, the best-of-7. Could do with taking this

frame, Daniel. When you are playing the world number one, the top player

in the world, you have to take these opportunities. He knows it.

This taking this on, looking to find a gap. May have to go around the

pink. Could go wrong. Playing part of this shot is knocking the

red in. He has gone around the back of the pink.

Tricky blue, donate it is the natural angle to come off it and

Canada pink. As to be careful here. Tighten the cushion, as you can see.

-- cannon off the pink. Easy on one to the middle? -- is he

on one. Must be tight, but he feels he can see enough of that.

He could see it, he missed it to the left of the pocket.

STUDIO: We are settling in, moving over to BBC Two for the rest of our

afternoon. A date with the international rugby. We hope you can

settle in with us on