Day 4 World Championship Snooker Extra

Hello and welcome to snooker extra, extended highlights of today's first

round match from the Betfred World Snooker championship. Mark Allen

takes on a man making his debut hit. Mitchell Mann making his debut

here at the Crucible in Sheffield. I haven't seen him play before. Have

you? Not a great deal. No, I haven't. But what you can say is

that anybody who has gone through the qualifying sections of this

event, three rounds to get through in the week before, the Crucible

starts, he is a player. No hiding place now, really. The problem of

course is that we rarely see debutante play well, that is a

problem. A possible future world champion, Mark Allen.

That's a nice feeling. To gnocchi and -- to gnocchi on your first

reasonable chance. -- to knock in. I think how you perform here at your

first outing at the Crucible can inform how much of a good start you

get off too. It is not easy. -- get off to.

Decent effort to get to a good area of the table, but he is betwixt and

between. The cutback red into the corner. Looking to see how he is

going to collide with the red and black he cuts his back. -- if he

cuts this back. Something like that. Could never have predicted the

outcome. Probably try and drop this black in, but he may have to go

around the back of the red and play for the red in the corner. He might

not be able to play it soft enough to play for the middle. He may be OK

doing that though. I think that was a wise choice. So far, a

doing that though. I think that was controlled opening four balls. Yes,

he has not been in prime position yet, but he is now. The key to

making your debut at the Crucible is to make every post a winning post.

Don't go into it, just be straight on the next black.

He may have finished straight. Just at a slight angle. It is worth

actually playing for both reds here, you bounce at the cube also so it

goes wide and sits on the cushion, but ideally you would like to finish

low on the one that is at the back of the pack, but if it sits low on

that he can bring other reds into play. Use that to bounce. OK, he is

on the red now. Perhaps playing for the blue to open

the black up. The problem with playing for the pink will make the

bottom red not drop. He has lost the cue ball a fraction but if he does

pot this red, assuming that the pink does spot... That is a mistake,

isn't it? Why not take the blue if you are unsure? He didn't really

have a look at the pink. It is usually not on its spot perfectly. I

thought he could have perhaps played the pink with top spin and perhaps

flecked red interplay -- flicked a red into play. You didn't look too

disappointed when he played it, so he is certainly settled. Good start

to the first visit at the Crucible. 28.

Let's see if he can get through the yellow and black. He might catch the

jaws of the right-hand corner pocket. He has cut to make sure he

can do something thin. -- you has got to -- he has got to. Quite

confident. That is a good safety shot. If he plays a plane ball it

will kiss into that red. Excellent shot by Mark Allen. Having had no

table time. Judge the pace nicely as well. -- judged.

No heroics there and I don't think there are any opportunities into the

right middle. Mitchell Mann's has had quite a

journey so far to get into this tournament. -- Mitchell Mann's had.

Football was his first love and he got a bad injury and bone disease

and that stopped him playing foot wall. -- football. He took up

snooker and has done a pretty good job of taking it up. He supports

Aston Villa though, so he would be happy about those results this year.

-- you want -- he won't be. A bit unfortunate to have stuck this

up. Couldn't have possibly foreseen that outcome. Got a good white.

That is a good cannon. Excellent chance now to take the opening

frame. You knew he was going into the reds but you want to sure how

the contact would have been. If it had just the pink it would have

stayed on the blank but it missed it. Doesn't really want to move the

blackout of the weight because it is in a good position at the moment. --

out of the way. May be able to avoid the kiss on the black.

He has kept the black and play though so that is OK. -- in late. It

was a clever shot. Could have been forgiven for trying to be too

precise but screwed the cue ball back, freed the black and will at

some stage be looking to clear that red from the black spot before he

pots the black again, ideally. I can only presume he played for the pink

because he got into the cue ball too much. You can win it with pinks of

course, but it is always nice to have a couple of colours at the top

of the table. You can always come unstuck without ball. -- with that.

I think you can roll on and off the cushion. You didn't get that right,

he has had a bit of good, didn't play that properly. He was not

certain where that cue ball was going to end up, but he will be

pleased that he has got some type of shot. But from being in a prime

position, he needs a good recovery now. At this stage of the frame, we

are one panic, one error to letting your opponent) into it. He is a very

considered player and very precise. Good controlled cue action. -- your

opponent right back into it. Very impressed with the control of

the backswing of the final pullback. A player that panics

sometimes pulls the cue back to quickly. Some of the great players

of the game controlling the backswing, you can control the hit.

Excellent opening frame so far from Mitchell Mann.

Excellent opening frame so far from qualifiers seems to have played

pretty decently. Not all of them, but good standard. They used to

playing the big names now because but good standard. They used to

year. Years the Crucible, they had probably not

played their the Crucible, they had probably not

whole career. It is not quite an ordeal to play one of the top

players. Playing safe. Usually you like

play more exhibition snooker now to Playing safe. Usually you like

get your arm going and the pace of the table. For instance, play

get your arm going and the pace of the black instead of the pink to get

the pace of the table. It needs to loosen up little bit now. -- he

needs. Very impressed. First frame at the Crucible. It has been a lot

more butch tree than this for the players over the years. Seems to

have his head screwed on quite nicely and in good control. Mark

Allen would never have taken this as an easy draw. That was the first

person to come to the Crucible and make a century. It looks like he is

going to win this frame without Mark Allen scoring a point. Chance of a

century. Not too difficult to imagine getting on the pink from

this red. Going to be stretching a bit over the top of the black ear.

-- here. What a start for Mitchell Mann. He gets up for the ideal start

and takes the opening frame. So, Mark Allen having not scored a point

in the opening frame breaks off in friend too. Noses opponent is in

good form. Excellent pot. Not far off a

collision with the red past the black that would have possibly got

him on the black. Difficult and very miss able pink, depending on how he

tries to play it. Percy played positively or does he shut up shop?

Not a terrible option to play defensively. One of the things you

don't want to do is to let your opponent in with an easy starter,

especially if he has not scored a point in the match so far.

All the time your opponent is effectively cold in the session, you

might as well make it as difficult as possible. Tough to keep the

modern day players under wraps though. This would have been a shock

to the system really to see that Mitchell Mann played so well in the

opening frame. Well, that looks a bit thin. He

needs that white to slow down, if it doesn't, it is right behind the

green. Very good. Mark Allen saying it doesn't really

matter where it is. He is going to play exactly the same shot.

Hopefully better than the first. He has got a bit more pace on this.

Heart in his mouth. And he has got a very acute red into the middle

pocket. That would be tough to play and get onto the pink. It have to

put a bit of pace into the cue ball. Very risky shot. Perhaps looks

easier on our television screens than it actually is. If there was a

cholera available, I think you would definitely go for it, but would the

blackout play, he is looking at the question. He has good to be careful

on the red that is loose on the right-hand side. .

I am not too sure that was the best choice of safety shots.

What a helpful nudge that was. He will play choice of colour now. What

a great pot. Probably worth trying to get the black into play here. A

small cannon. Way off. He didn't hit the black correctly, and it was a

bigger target with that pack there. You have called the shot perfectly

there, thinking he was bound to get the black into play. He wouldn't

necessarily know what is ready but there was a choice of format reds

and he has got on all four of them apart from the black being where it

is. Perhaps that red behind the black does pot into the back

cushion. Not happy. I think he has gone a fraction too fine. Is going

to be difficult to make a break from here, isn't it? He would need the

rest of you is going to play the green. A big shot to get the rest

that with the yellow. -- the rest out. Well, this is an aggressive

shot he is going to take on here. He has not had much table time and he

is going to play a red into the right corner that is guaranteed to

open up other reds. I wouldn't like this much. Shows you the competency

has got at the moment. He is trying to scoop out for pink or blue.

Hopefully move the red away from the black as well because they will be

accruing far and wide. That would have been easy to panic

on that one. A lot of cue movement without pace. The advantage is you

have a good place to an. As long as you can generate speed in your cue

arm. This could be a friend winning chance. -- frame.

If he chooses the second red across the table of that line of five into

the middle pocket. He could get on the pink. He has a wonderful

judgement of pace. So far, excellent effort. He was going wide of the

blues. The pink is the one he wants. Fascinating. A fascinating

chance he has here to unravel. It really shows the experience of the

top players. How often they go to the practice table it really shows

the experience of the top players. With it really shows the experience

of the top Doesn't look to be perfect here. The

pink is available. I didn't think that went past. He will be

disappointed with that. Trying to screw a fraction more. These are

horrible. He will have to bite the bullet and

play safe off the green. If it is dead straight there is no

value. A bit of an angle... He has decided to play safe. It

looks like he has played it well. APPLAUSE.

He may have put his opponent in trouble here. Playing thin. The two

Reds are together. Not easy to get these perfect. It opens up the lack.

-- black. Never hit it big enough. That should find the ball without

any problems. The pace is not bad at all. I think

he caught that a bit thick. He was trying to play behind the green.

This would hurt. That looks very gettable. I expect him to get it.

APPLAUSE. I am surprised with the pace here. A bit of a wasted chance.

He should have made sure to get a ball of colour, softer or harder.

Rolling behind the yellow is OK. But you don't get many easy chances to

win a frame. A possible two ball escape across the face of the black.

He has decided to play a different one. A very risky attempt going that

way. Surprising. This is the type of shot where you

are presented with a relatively easy opener. It puts a little bit of a

shop on the player in front in terms of frames. It looks easy. -- a bit

of pressure. Excellent brown. Actually, a very

nice chance to clinch this frame now.

Leaving those two reds alone for the moment. He can get over the line

without them. 22. APPLAUSE. 40 points in front, 47,

48, 55. The first of the blacks. He can confidently play the cannon

onto the two reds. Looks like he can just about get to the red. The

middle pocket, not sure about the corner. A good response from Mark

Allen. It will be interesting to see how he plays this year's

championship after recent success and winning a PTC in the tournament.

This could be his best chance to go a long way in the tournament.

APPLAUSE. He plays little kisses and doesn't

really play them hard. Likes to bump into balls. This was a very acute

angle. I just question his temperament at times. He gets a

little bit agitated sometimes. A slight Achilles' heel.

APPLAUSE. He is a very dangerous type of

player that nobody in the game really can be comfortable playing

against. Hasn't won one of the three majors yet here in the UK. But he is

the type of player that if he did get on a roll it wouldn't be a

surprise to anybody, that is for certain.

A little exhibition shot here to get around the table for the black. 74.

Oh! A break of 74! They are all square at 1-1. The first interval.

From what I have seen so far, he is doing very well.

Just looking at the picture here, it is pretty straight. I am not

Just looking at the picture here, it he can play it through and avoided.

-- avoid it. He has played it safe, though. Well, he found a path, apart

from the blue. Actually, he has left it awkward for Mitchell Mann. And a

little bit of Russia on this one as well. -- pressure.

Very nice. Black in open play. Blue APPLAUSE. --

Very nice. Black in open play. Blue not on the spot, unless he puts it

on there now. That is more difficult but the right shot. Perhaps it is

wider than I can see, but the green is good for position... He said.

Perhaps that was a bit of a jump too far to play the blue with easier

pots on. Pressure on this red now. APPLAUSE Stock Another clean pot,

and a chance to realistically open the reds with a guaranteed red on. A

nice little grouping bear to be able to screw into. -- there. I can't

really see this going wrong as long as he pots the black.

APPLAUSE That was almost bound to bring five

or six in. At first glance, I don't think Mitchell has left a red on. He

can come into the side of the punch, but he has obviously held his hand

up there and apologised for missing the black. It is tight. Talking

himself into it. He has to play softer. Too much. He had to put a

lot of righthanders spin on that. -- right hand. In the older days with

the different ball you could import that much spin on it. -- couldn't

put. No problem putting this red off the

cushion, but position isn't guaranteed. Delighted with that. He

cannot argue with the outcome. I don't know. He will be upset if it

doesn't go on the black spot. The black is still relatively in place

so he won't be too worried if it comes off its spot.

Would have been nicer to have the pink in the black's spot and black

in the blue one. He has to be careful pace-wise. Chose a good

line. A brave shot to smash up into the pack. It is available... He is

looking at it. It is the right shot, though, a bit of an angle. If the

cueball was six inches closer... I don't blame him for that at all. I

don't know. Perhaps it was a wider pot than it looked. It would have

been brave to use power, and an absolute frame winning shot if he

did it right. Now more work to do. Nothing wrong with the way he has

played it. Early days in this frame and match. If he plays a good

positional shot he could break the pack up again, even if not ideal

from the black. Would like an angle here on the

black. 24. Perhaps a bit straighter. Perhaps he can screw back on the red

now and if things go badly he has the loose red. The first chance to

see his cue power. Interesting to see what happens when he does. He

may have picked out a far better way to use the pot than I spotted. I

thought he was going to use backspin, but this is clever. Wasn't

much room for moving. Could have opened the balls up and got the

cueball in roughly the same position. Nothing wrong with keeping

it tight but at some stage he needs it to open, unless he spots a plant.

Well, that helps. Yes, the plant, obviously on. This will bring one

more red into play. Sometimes you can be too careful.

APPLAUSE. Very surprised he could put so much spin on that. Bemused at

how easily he pushed through the pack. Yeah. I think there is trouble

in not having the pack open. I know there was a plant, but once the reds

are open it is a far easier prospect. A 45 point lead.

Worthwhile playing colour-safe. Worried he's left a plant open for

Mark. That isn't a very good shot if you can see the red below the pink.

He has the blue safe. Part of the insurance policy. I don't know if he

can get through to it. He can't. I think, Steve, we often talk in

commentary how hard it is to get the first 50-60 points and how easy the

next are. It is easier to see that from the box than playing out there,

seeing how a game and frame unfolds. A very loose safety shot. Mitchell

has dominated this frame. A very loose safety shot. Mitchell

shot that cost it... That is how quick it can happen. There is no

shot you can criticise. It is only at the level of the world champions

standard against the standard of the players you are playing against that

you have to be even more aggressive in your break building. Mark

stretching. Even though it is a poor safety shot from Mitchell it looks

like he will win the frame. Although, this is a bit of a reach.

He missed a similar black trying to go into the pack. He still needs

this black and couple more reds. A little bit of pressure. Rolling it

in this time. APPLAUSE. A few friends and family

there in the back knowing the significance of this shot. Friends

often come to the Crucible knowing even the simple shots are difficult.

APPLAUSE. His concentration is great. Temperament looks pretty

good. APPLAUSE Stock Only been a pro for

two years. While he hasn't done anything really significant in the

ranks, qualifying for the World Championship... The confidence that

would have given him means that he may be ready to jump up a level in

the ranks. He looks solid. Solid cue action. Impressed with that. Not

that all players don't have that these days. It reminds me of Nigel

Bond. Tough to beat, but doesn't do anything to two outrageous. -- too

Looks like he will frighten you, the way he plays.

APPLAUSE. Getting a bit more of a flow on. This is his first time

here. You have to consider that. Very impressive. It is OK to

criticise some shots. But this is an excellent start to his campaign.

Through the gap into the side. Very nice.

APPLAUSE. And with the frame over you would

guarantee he is going to pot the brown and get the blue into place.

The two frames that Mitchell's one, he has kept Mark Allen of the table

completely. He has made a great break of 77 in the third and leads

2-1. Mark Allen will be wanting to level

the scores up. Mitchell Mann will want to push on. Of course if he

does push on and win this frame, Mark Allen will feel a lot worse

than when he came into the auditorium. In those Mitchell is

playing that -- he knows that Mitchell is playing very well and

this is not the best break, Mitchell can take this on.

Tempting red into the right corner. That has been turned down in favour

of the containing safety to the top cushion.

A lot of players would have gone for that red into that right corner.

Name names. Always tried to protect his lead little bit. He could have

played the red and gone up to the ballcarrier.

Looked a risky one, because he has left the red on the black spot that

is available. Struck that very well. So close to going on. -- going in.

The real problem with the pot until you start to work out that he is

good to try and manufacture a positional shot out of it. Trying to

work out what happens when it goes to the pack, whether collisions in

the reds are going to be. -- where the. Well, the way he lined up for

that, I thought he was not going to be able to avoid going into the pack

of reds. Last chance. -- nice chance. The two reds above the

black, I think look on first glance, and even second glance, to be

possible -- able to be potted into both corner pockets.

Not really ideal. You are sort of playing for both balls in a way. He

has left himself far more difficult on the pink then he wanted.

The angle he has got, he has got every chance of running through the

pink and getting into the opposite pocket to what he has potted the red

in. I think there is a bit of milage in taking this on. The only trouble

is he might lose the cue ball down into the green pocket area if he

plays it with topspin, so into the green pocket area if he

perhaps trying to control things here. Perhaps he can screw past the

pack somehow. Took a bit of time on that one. He

is obviously not happy with it. Sometimes after you have made a

positional mistake, you beat yourself up a bit, so this is one

that Mark Allen would love to get in. A very gettable red. But of

course, Mr ball as well. Listed by so far, hasn't done any damage,

really. A few tactics going to be coming up

over the next few balls. Difficult to get an attacking safety

shot here, whichever way he plays it round he plays it up into the

ballcarrier and needs to get it up on the left-hand side. It came off a

little bit square, he was probably playing off the line of the brown

spot. He has got Mark Allen on the rack at the moment. Chances like

this, you have got to take them on. You deserve what you get from here

now young man and it could be plenty. Very, very good shot.

Had eight century breaks so far this season. Obviously has not played as

many matches as these higher seeded players. In two years, he has done

pretty well. 16 centuries in total. He knows his way around the

blackspot area. So disappointed there. I didn't

detect a kick. The ball was at his mercy. He knows that was a chance to

go 3-1 in front at the interval. And he may have missed the trickiest,

because if it is 2-2 at the interval, Mark Allen will be

thinking it is his birthday. Yes, when you get amongst the balls like

that, you have got to try it can clinch the frame. Obviously you are

trying to clinch the frame, but it does put pressure on the easy

chances sometimes. Trying to be careful, trying to get over the

line. Looks to be a formality. Here is that 28 seconds a shot at the

moment. Over 17 days at the Crucible, the concentration level

would have to be magnificent to last that long. Mark Allen, it is very

pedestrian for him. He normally plays around 19 seconds a shot. Most

of the time of the table he has been playing safe. 15 -18 seconds a shot,

he is very, very quick when he gets on the balls.

Not perfect. Just about. Struggling to keep position. That's nice.

Unless he goes forward, just about... He is going to need both of

those reds on the right cushion. The way this has come out, he can Esso

choose to get this red off the side cushion. -- if so. Decided against

it. Here is another chance, and perhaps

a far better one to get this red into play. I am sure he will try

now. Or is it me just making shots up? I agree with you, because he is

sure to get the White in open play. The fact that he caught it then, he

has got the shot The fact that he caught it then, he

little careful here that he doesn't A little bit short but he is still

on the red nicely. Realistically, just these two reds

to get off the table. I think in doing that, there will be still in

position. Not ideal to drop on the red. Right behind it. He's got to

play this blue perhaps with a bit of left-hand side. Policy can get

behind it, get around the back it, it was a clever little shot. Very

well played. That was one of the best position shots of the

championship. He could have been forgiven for trying to leave himself

a bit further away from that, guaranteed to be on the red. Now

this yellow into the middle pocket. It will clinch the frame completely.

He has had the best chances to win all four of them. Mitchell Mann

concedes, so Mark Allen has got himself on the scoreboard again.

Good pot from Mitchell Leben not the desired position. -- Mitchell there

bite. -- but. A little bit heavy, but the yellow

could come to his rescue. Disappointed that he didn't find the

black cushion as it were. I don't think you'll be playing this quite

pacey. When you play these, it is a little bit of hit and hope. You try

to make something happen but unfortunately he didn't make

anything happen unless he wants to take the risky black.

It's a horrible situation, in some ways, just checking that the pink

doesn't go. Very hard to do anything with the cue ball off the black,

makes the black and less able. Might have to just roll the black in. If

it wobbles, gets it safe. If he puts it, he plays safe. It's one of those

no-win situation, situations really, he is in. Depends on the exact angle

he has got. I think you can cut the red back

into the corner, the one he is nearest to. Mark Allen is one of the

most attacking players in the game. This is very unlike Mark Allen. It

would be a tricky situation. I think he is loath to sort of give up the

opportunity. Just looking for some type of opportunistic shop, but

there is none. -- shot. The safety shot, the trouble is, he doesn't

feel like he can even get the advantage, safety wise here. Just

looking up at the commentary box there, didn't have a clue what to

do, sometimes there is an anything on. With that with both of the two

reds in the bottom area, it is going to be who takes a risk first ordered

makes a poor safety. It's a little bit dangerous. Trying

to cut off Mitchell Mann's escape route back to the top cushion using

the black ball as a snooker in ball. He has risked going in off.

Far too close for comfort. Don't get many frames in the modern

day game that go this way. For very long. Usually somebody becomes the

aggressor earlier than that. Very close. Doesn't find the top

cushion. There is one. The fact that the referee claiming the ball, there

was potential that they got a kick and took the back spin off the ball.

These are the kind of positions that Mark Allen relishes. You would

expect him to win the frame at this point. Didn't have to go up for the

blue, could have remained up for the black and I think he thought he was

guaranteed to have good positional options after this blue, but as it

has turned out, he has got a minor problem.

One of the few players that have made well over 250 competitive

centuries. Made quite a few this year, so he has had a good season.

Yes, obviously, with many more tournaments now being played in the

season, the centuries board is going through the roof. An interesting

statistic these days is not just the amount there are but the frequency

per frame. And how many frames per 100 break. I seem to remember last

time we did those Ronnie O'Sullivan was at the top even though he had

not played many tournaments that season. 26.

Taking this red will open the pink into the corner. A frame opportunity

now. Both of the brakes have come after mistakes. -- breaks. This is

the first time he has come in quite early. Mark has the balls at his

mercy. A nailed on century. Obviously, from a commentary

perspectives, not pushing the boat out too far to say that as cliches

go. Can't fail to make a century. Never

really pushed the tempting boat out. You can have a go. I am worried

about it. It is possible not to make one. I will say it again. Just to

really risk it. Now he can concentrate on what Steve thinks is

empty. The break goes to 85. This is 90,

so... Should be a century. This will be the 25th Crucible century should

he go on to pot brown and blue. 95. The blue for Steve Davis prediction

to come right. And there it is. A wonderful century. A wonderful

prediction from Steve as well. No complete clearance for Mark.

Getting better and better as the day goes on. Now taking the lead. Mark

to break. Settle down, please. A speculative long red. No damage

done, unless Mark decides to take on a very risky cut-back.

It is key for Mitchell to compete with Mark in the safety department,

he can't do it in the break one. He still has a great chance in this

match. Playing it in the right hand side. A bit like the break shot. At

least I thought so. That was... Well, not really the best safety he

has ever played in his life. Oh, that's certainly turned out OK.

Excellent try from Mark there. Mitchell Mann, eyeing up the

possibilities of dropping it into the bottom cushion and sticking Mark

Allen over the top of the yellow. That makes for a difficult shot,

your opponent, this. I thought the shot to leave Mark

over the top of the yellow was a better shot. Very difficult to force

an error from Mark Allen from this position. If this goes behind the

green... It could be difficult for Mitchell Mann. OK, the red has gone

over the pocket, but he had a Mitchell Mann. OK, the red has gone

for Mitchell Mann. He just asked for that, didn't he. Didn't put on any

pressure at all. The thing is he lined up

pressure at all. The thing is he here that he was willing to do it

and then he changed his mind. This is all that is left. He thinks that

is his only choice. He is all that is left. He thinks that

too much of a look at it but he is all that is left. He thinks that

could get on the black is all that is left. He thinks that

under that much pressure. I think it might not be guaranteed even if he

did hit the red, but, you cannot really fault players too hard or it

reduces the possibility of the red going in off the other one. He has a

chance, but it is a horrible shot, though.

APPLAUSE. He called it. And what a wonderful shot it was! Sometimes

when you are forced into it, Stephen, it helps, doesn't it? Yeah.

I thought cushion-first was the way he played it but he had

I thought cushion-first was the way margin for error. He came down to

look at the safety shot... Why did he go down to the bottom of the

table? (LAUGHING). He is looking at the

green. Oh, yeah, you are kidding me. He can... And he has.

That is a frame-winning shot, going for the black down the cushion.

Yeah, it will be tied up somewhere. But these days it seems to be the

way you play regardless of how you are feeling, 3-2 behind. OK, it was

a decent safety shot, but... APPLAUSE. So is that. I can

understand how he is feeling, like a fish out of water. It is modern-day

snooker to know that the way forward is to score. It was more of an

old-school shot, that. From the era of "don't take a risk and be the

first to make a mistake." These days you need to walk the tightrope a bit

more. Now, I think, Mitchell Mann is sitting in his chair wishing he took

a chance with the black, a 50-50 chance.

I think the vast majority are times now you have a 50-50- chance, that

with the black and the cushion was, and under most conditions, you play

it. -- 50-50. He might just be able to roll

straight forward, about six or nine inches, and leave himself a red. He

could then have a path back down for the blue. It is not as he played it.

Not a clear-cut opportunity from here. Pink goes into the left

corner. It has to get on a red to be able to get on that pink. That is

the key ball to opening things up. APPLAUSE. Very nice. Beautiful,

wasn't it? All the room to get onto this red and now the pink is in

play. Guaranteed that he was high on that pink. Just a bit more of a

stretch than he wants. He has an extra bit on his cue, essential

these days, to have that. Didn't take the option of freeing

those reds below the pink. They will be the stumbling block for a while.

I would have been tempted to. Ireland not dispute Mark Allen's

understanding of breaking. -- I will not.

Not too sure I can repeat what he said earlier, but a very funny line.

Not perfect on the pink. Once again, would have wanted to be a bit

higher. Certainly those two want to. You can see Mark's tip is a fair way

away from the cueball. Some players, like the great Jimmy White, really

close, others, a bit of distance. He used to be three inches away, and

then as soon as he got close he improved overnight. It was amazing.

And now, after this next shot, so long as he doesn't go around to

played the red, which I am a bit surprised he isn't...

He has lost it. A big bounce off the cushion perhaps.

That is a good recovery. APPLAUSE.

57. Absolutely fantastic red he has played there.

57. Absolutely fantastic red he has played like he was in practice.

Shows you the confidence. Getting over the line in

Shows you the confidence. Getting important. And with a win under your

belt it seems to make important. And with a win under your

much easier. If he plays it slow, look how the pocket takes the black,

this is a lot harder than the one Mitchell Mann refused.

Back-to-back centuries. Will he bring the reds into play?

APPLAUSE. 77. Not guaranteed to get onto a colour.

If he kisses it full it could be on the cushion instead of the black.

Regardless of whether he makes the century or not which you would

expect from a top 16 player moving through the gears as the session on

faults. -- unfolds. Here is the Mr Green. Another

century this time. Even Here is the Mr Green. Another

cannot fault him that. Left hand over the top of the cushion might

pot it. That is the shot. No century for Mark Allen this time. That takes

him two clear for the first time at 4-2. SYNTH MUSIC.

His heart was in his mouth there. A bit too close to be comfortable.

Tempting red for Mark. Can't win the frame from this position, but he can

go a long way if he gets it in, and it is very close. Too reds and two

colours would have it is very close. Too reds and two

colours would have left it is very close. Too reds and two

colours would have left him still needing the trickier red near the

black. APPLAUSE. That is a good pot. Just

failed though. He has left it now as brown or

yellow. A bit of pressure on both. That was always going to be a tough

shot. Plenty of mileage here by potting the red and playing the

snooker. Tough to hit. It is one of those situations where the rules of

the game dictates that if he did play the snooker it would be more of

a negative shot than an attacking option. He can win the frame from

the offensive point of view. How many points will he give away?

That is the question. So, a relatively easy, if you can call it

that, escape, because Mark Allen has not cut off the one-cushion escape.

He has to hope for the best here, I think, pace-wise, and direction. A

bit hard, what is the direction like? AUDIENCE GASPS. He may have to

put that back. (LAUGHING). Unless the yellow is...

Impossible to get out from there. If he cannot get out from their that is

what Mark is looking at. -- there. He could knock the black in next

time. Couldn't he? Mark Allen is starting to like where the white

ball is. Know he is not. -- No, he. (LAUGHING).

The referee, Greg, charged with the problem of putting these back

exactly where they were. Might not be too much difference. I think they

got it right. No, nowhere near. That is the original position. The

black is nowhere near where it should be. Nowhere near it, and

Mitchell Mann should say that, because he has more of a chance

there. (LAUGHING). . The black is touching

the jaw. It was never there. Walked out there and put it back.

Put it on the cushion. That is all they have to do. It was on the

cushion a bit more... The red is right. I don't know if they can hear

me... If you put the black on the cushion it is fine. Where they were

and where they are now. Not right, but pretty close. The black is a

quarter of an inch, and now it is tight. No problem. He would do well

not to knock the black in. He's to be so careful here, because

he could give a whole lot of points away. -- he's got to be. That is

another thought, that he can do. This is where the rule is a little

bit awkward because now if he misses it and needs a snooker. It came so

close. It has good to be put back because he wasn't close enough. A

shame to lose a frame in this way but it was a good snooker that Mark

Allen laid. It's a shame. That is definitely going to be frame over.

Played that position. If he had played it off the green spot and

just dotted the ready and it was all over. Just thought he could not miss

it. of an issue, became one, didn't it?

Very little risk involved in that line of play.

Played the red up and down. The key is getting the red safe here. It is

all about getting the red safe and I is getting the red safe here. It is

think he has just about done that. Excellent choice of shot there from

Mark Allen. He could have been tempted into rolling the red towards

the middle pocket hoping it would go in but he would have sacrificed the

tactical side of the frame. Now he has put Mitchell Mann under a lot of

pressure. The cue ball didn't really have time to swerve. He is going to

be in a hell of a snooker here as well. It is getting tough out there.

He can get through the gap though, Cani? -- Kanti. -- can't he?

Well... He played it off the cushion. Still got the desired

amount of screw. There is enough angle on this escape route that Mark

Allen has good to choose either one or two Mac, he can't have both as an

option. 43 points in front, is Mark Allen.

His only option is hoping for a free ball. I think you'll settle for

that. Getting the yellow into play has another snooker in ball. Didn't

play the pot. Let's not forget that Mitchell Mann

started this so very well. Since then he has been all at sea. The

first chance he led by 28 points and frame four, Mr couple of easy balls

and since then he has struggled to get a foothold in this match again.

Mitchell Mann I think will be deciding to concede, so once again

Mark Allen controlled that frame and he goes further clear now.

If Mark Allen gets himself to the quarter-finals say, can you play

enough of the top players to win the event as Stuart Bingham did last

year beating Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump and Shaun Murphy? The question

mark over that, perhaps the puzzle to be sold is the recent win that

Mark Allen has had in the players championship has moved him up a

level. Perhaps confidence is the key.

Interesting comments from Mark Allen prior to the match, I wasn't aware

that had been said I admit, and they assume that Mark has had previous

experience. He lost 5-2 Mac to him. Yes, wasn't aware of that. -- 5-2

Mac,. -- 5-2. Is always a problem, when you play a

shot to nothing, when you put it, you get nothing. In the modern day,

even that shot is a chance, perhaps you should not be playing for the

bottom cushion any more. Once upon a time you always tried to play the

pasted make the bottom cushion. -- pace. Overheating the shot a little

bit. On very few occasions, under hitting. This is a tough green into

the middle, if he is playing it. He played it in such a way that it is

going to be a very difficult pot for Mark.

That shot has forced an opening for Mitchell. Myler table time just

lately. He has got what looks very gettable into the corner. It looks

pretty bog standard but there is a bit of Russia on it. -- pressure. A

good pot. He had to get the contact on the red to stay on the black. If

he was just coming into the auditorium now you would fancy him

to score quite heavily but having just lost four on the trot. That

would have taken the pace out of it. What he should have done was made

sure that he overhit that shot rather than underhit it. Pressure on

the shot again. You've got to go into the pack now.

Firm, guaranteed to be on a red. No screw back though. Perfect. A bit

unlucky not to open up more reds. Couldn't have asked for it a worse

outcome from playing the right shot, really. They need to get the white

into open play and of course, if you don't hit this, you are faced with a

cutback black and where you are under pressure, they are never easy.

Well done. He is taking a bit of time, he

hasn't got the flow in him in the moment. Sometimes difficult to build

up the rhythm required to really start buzzing out there at the

Crucible. He has had a look at the red into the middle pocket, like

that up and now he has changed his mind and is playing for the red to

the top cushion. Obviously it is not easy out there. He has had a

disappointing second half of the session. Just trying to regroup,

soap character builder would be a good break here.

He hit the wrong red. The left-hand red, it is bound to be on one. Just

hit are completely wrong side of it and that looks like you can only

play a safety shot at first glance. That was a tough way to play that

shot. You got to try and red the danger in going into the pack. If

there was a little trap that could unfold. The way he played it, the

speed he played it, I wouldn't say he is asking for trouble but you

could make the case for it. Well, it was a generous sized pocket

to aim for. Potting it was a lot harder. Looking again, that red was

a long way away. You've got to take advantage when you have some good

fortune. He almost looked as if he was embarrassed if he got that

fluke. He had to take advantage when you do. He will be kicking himself.

Well, you would expect Mark Allen to smell blood here.

He knows even though his opponent is in front in this frame, he is all at

sea. Chance to go into the pack and open them up Tripoli now. --

properly. A bit surprised he played its urgently. -- played its --

played it so gently. Should win the frame from here and it is another

frame that Mitchell perhaps should and could have won.

Guaranteed position the way he played that. This was one of the

shots where you can play four reds at the same time, no matter how bad

or good you hit it you will be on one.

I think perhaps we are assuming that Mark Allen goes on to win this frame

and retains the upper hand, but looking at Mitchell's plate, play

and we have certainly all been there in the situation we get bogged down

and trying to work out the right shot, a bit more fluency, sort of

like the style you would play in the club also, even though it is hard to

pull the trigger and do that, there could be the solution to the next

level of play for him. Playing with a bit more freedom, easier said than

done though. Big stretch but for a left-hander,

it is no problem. The league goes to 17. Without doing too much in the

last two frames, he looked pretty 17. Without doing too much in the

good in frames four, five and six. That's why we talk so much about

experience in the game. If there was one venue in one tournament in the

world where it counts for something, it is here. It is weird, isn't it?

world where it counts for something, Everybody, even the very, very best

get nervous about coming to the Crucible. If anywhere is going to be

a problem of trying to get a clear head on the shot and make your mind

up on a shot, it's here. It is one of the reasons why Ronnie O'Sullivan

plays such a fantastic game. This time, the break 78. Mitchell Mann

just nods his head. Mark Allen goes for the clear and leads 6-2. Hasn't

got the cueball tight on the cushion and it makes this red on the right

to the middle little bit easier. At least I think you can get to it. He

is not even attempting it. Is he just playing safe? Gets the

is not even attempting it. Is he into the middle. Good try, but not

good enough. And he stuck it up. With both pink and black being out

of play, it will be on hand to get on the blue. Not this time. I am

just looking at the pack of reds, if he does get the chance to get it off

the blue in a few moments' time and get it on the pink, he will probably

free up the black as well. He is having a look at the pack. I

think it is a bit dangerous, he hasn't really got a half all angle

on this blue so he wouldn't be able to generate the spin he would

normally want. I don't think he played that last red that well

actually. Just let the cueball runthrough and now he is going to be

playing off able colour. It can always be good off the yellow and

green. Couldn't eat them any better. And that is probably the reason why

blue is the better option for going into the pack. He will take the cut

on and if it does go in, this could become a frame when. Slightly the

wrong angle on the yellow. A little close to the reds from here.

Decision time. Push the boat out or wait for a better chance? He's in

control but you don't really want to take a liberty. A bit shot to putt

this red, collide with the red, then get enough to get the cueball out.

Playing a runthrough of types. Yuck. To question that decision... He has

his opponent in his pocket at the minute. A bit of a lifeline,

stretching all over the place there. It has been quite some time since

Mitchell has been in this position. He has to win the round with this

visit. Trying to get the black onto its

spot. The next couple of reds if he can. That frees the pink into the

righthand corner as well. 15. Just the one more loose red now.

That will open the other red. A good chance now to win the frame at this

visit. APPLAUSE

Both these reds are available. Taking the slightly more difficult

one. I say that because you can't see the full pocket. 29. That's

good. He's got himself in a bit of a trap

again. No guarantee to be on the colour

now. He has to play the little deaf cannon. Should be OK but you've

gotta hit it well. Just. cannon. Should be OK but you've

use the two reds to get the cue ball for the loose red.

APPLAUSE. Use the two reds... Just a little bit harder to free the red

and pink. But 14 points in front. Needs the remaining five to be sure

of winning this frame. My mistake. 24. Not 14. 25 now, so two more reds

and two colours. Taking these quite nicely considering he's been off the

table so long. 50. And if he does go on to win this frame he's given

himself an outside chance because when they come back tomorrow perhaps

he will be more used to the surroundings. He could get a bit

more of a flow on. Now, clearly didn't want to kiss the

yellow. Oh dear. AUDIENCE GASPS. Well, a

nice break, but 56 might not be enough.

APPLAUSE. Screws him behind the one nearest

the pink. Just about 3-4 inches short of pace. 33 points behind. No

worries about what colour he pots here.

Not an easy shot at the best of times, but with the extension of

your cue it makes things even harder.

APPLAUSE. Made that look easy, although, too straight on the pink

to get across the table. Is he looking somehow to get that cueball

behind the yellow? Yes, trying to leave the angle on this last red. No

way he'll be playing the double off the red. A big target to get him

behind the yellow with the two cushions. Now the blue is in the

way. Now, he could play a harder shot with topspin to try and get

behind that yellow, but it will risk the red. Perhaps he will try and

line up red and white along the line of the blue, pink and black, or

perhaps the pink and black. On the other hand, perhaps distance is the

better solution with the cueball. Thank you. That is no problem at all

with hitting this, but where the balls are, can't afford to leave the

red. A controlled one to send the cueball to the side cushion and not

away again. He can push it thin but that will go towards the top right.

Yep, very nicely done. APPLAUSE. May have snookered him

back, but I think he can see the red. Just has to miss the kiss on

the pink red. Just has to miss the kiss on

the pink on the way back. A risky double into the corner pocket. I

suppose he can play it safe at the same time if he hits the left-hand

side of it. I dunno. SLightly swerving it. Ehh, didn't like that

one. A miracle, absolute miracle. Completely mishit it. Fortunate to

get that safe. Mitchell has first chance to play a telling safety

shot. This should be a way to guarantee some kind of snooker here.

At the level we talk about you really need to make these types of

situations pay. It is key when you are playing snooker you have to be

careful the way the object is going. Didn't concern him with the red, but

he overhit it. APPLAUSE.

The angle on the green with the yellow of its spot is not good. Not

much benefit. Looks good behind the black. A lovely shot.

APPLAUSE. Right-hand side cushion. That's got

to be the choice. Unless he can get just before the middle pocket. Might

work. Enough room around the yellow to get right round the back of it

and miss it. He'll settle for that. The yellow is cuttable, but he will

have to go twice around the table. May come into the blue.

APPLAUSE Excellent shot there from Mark Allen. A bit unlucky, really.

And there's always the significance of the last session seeming greater.

7-2 and 6-3 seems enormous for both players. Short of pace.

Decides to swing the green round. You need to get a good object ball

and cueball at the same time. Risky, but boy did he do well. OK. So, easy

to get out of the snooker but if he wants the top cushion he has to

judge it well. Misjudged the line and looks like the end of frame.

Don't think there's any danger with this shot even though the balls are

lined up. He can guarantee potting it. Don't fail on the blue, though.

APPLAUSE. Even for a split second he started to worry he might not get

that right. Well, 26 points in front. Mark needs a five-point

penalty. Oh, miscued it! There was noise in the room. Someone had their

phone on. Please switch that off. Using the spider... He may not have

chalked his tip properly. That's unbelievable. He could tie. Let's

look again. Wasn't even near the cushion. Half an inch away at least.

Well, this is too hard. I don't necessarily think the cushion played

its part in that. He didn't get enough sidespin on that to slow it

down. So, now what? Safety. But he's going away from the black. That's

very dangerous. At least he's back in the frame from that miscue from

Mitchell. Mark, nine. Thanks so much. A partial snooker, and even if

it is a full one, he can swerve it. Not guaranteed to get the pink safe

from a swerve shot. Looks like he can hit it direct. That's OK.

APPLAUSE. This is really tough to get safe.

Might have to play double. If he hits the pocket, great, otherwise he

has to get the other end of the table. No easy safety shot here, is

there? No. Maybe he got away with it. Delighted with that. A tempter

for Mitchell to go overnight at 6-3 with a double. Safety probably the

right one. But the double is a tempter. Where is the cueball going?

Goodness me. Heartaches tonight. Looked up at us with a smile on his

face. Up and down. Avoid the double kiss. Should be a straightforward

safety, this one. APPLAUSE. If the black wasn't there

he could take this on confidently. He could try to nudge the black

towards the top cushion for insurance. He could just play the

pot, but it is very risky. APPLAUSE May take the double knowing

he can get the white tight on the cushion. That is wide. Needed the

white tight. Careless. Less pressure on the pink because the black is

safe. Deep breath. GASPS. Wasn't easy at all, but I thought he'd pot

that. Mark could try to get the black out

here. Perhaps play the pink to sort of like the middle cushion. Right

line to get the black out? Didn't like it. The pink too close to the

black is pretty clever. One thing Mitchell won't be doing is moving

the black. Could play cushion first. Not a bad option, that.

A good safety shot. Not so easy this time. Maybe to get behind the pink,

but too dangerous, to get it near the top corner pocket.

APPLAUSE. Still a very good safety shot.

Mitchell should be trying to play the same shot as last time, I think.

Sen the pink up to the cushion and halfway back down the side. Oh, OK,

nothing wrong with that, unless... GASPS. Hasn't gone anywhere near the

pocket. How will you get this one safe? The toughest safety shot he's

played today. Might be worth the risk to double kiss. It is too

risky, if you miss he could now win. Double kiss is the way to go. Easier

if dead straight. Oh. The second time he's hit the top of the cueball

and miscued. As if he is too low. Oh, what a terrible shot. Sent the

pink into the cushion instead of along to knock the black out. Maybe

extra chalk from the miscue. Never seen anything in my life like those

extra chalk from the miscue. Never three shots. Somehow Mitchell Mann

won those last frames. Still trailing for tomorrow's session.

Mark Allen has the advantage in the final session later today. We will

be back at ten o'clock with further live coverage of the championships.

We will see you then. For now, goodbye!