2007 888.com World Championship

MATCH BY MATCH LIVE MATCH NOTES [CLICK ON MATCH FOR LIVE COMMENTARY, NEWS, QUOTES]

READ ALL THE CUE SPORTS LATEST NEWS - JOIN THE NEW GLOBAL CUE SPORTS FORUM

MARK ALLEN

v

MATTHEW STEVENS

Round Two - Match 21

(Best of 25 frames, 3 sessions)

Friday 27 April - 14.30

Saturday 28 April - 10.00

Saturday 28 April - 19.00

Welcome to the first of a possible three sessions in this match between Mark Allen and Matthew Stephens.  This session will see eight frames being played, with the players returning tomorrow (Saturday) morning to play the second session of eight frames.  If neither player has reached the required 13 frames to win the match, the final session will be played to its conclusion on tomorrow evening.  This is uncharted territory for the Northern Irish player, on his first visit to the Crucible, although he has already taken out Ken Doherty 10-7 in their thrilling first round encounter. Matthew, on the other hand, cruised through to this round after winning against Joe Delaney, who like Allen, was making his debut appearance at the Crucible, which has be dubbed the "Home of Snooker". Neither player has yet turned up the temperature on sizzling snooker, although it shouldn't be too long before either of them add their names to the ever-increasing list of century break-builders.

Richard Beare the Master of Ceremonies, welcomes the players and referee to the table.  The match on the other table, is the second session of the Anthony Hamilton/Ian McCulloch match.  With the frame scores level at 4-4, the only thing we can be confident about, at the moment, is that they will have to return to play a third session tomorrow morning at 1000(BST), as neither can cross the winning line in this session.  Our match referee Jan Verhaas, settles the fans and spectators, as Matthew comes to the table to get the match underway. Allen makes a good attempt, playing from behind the yellow, although misses the 15 reds as the miss is called.  He is coming off two cushions to try and hit a loose red.  Attempts two and three fail to hit a red and Matthew is left a free ball, although Matthew chooses to have Mark play again, from the new position of the left of the brown.  Another miss, before eventually Mark makes contact with the back of the pack, having given away 16 points in fouls.  Not the start he would have hoped for, and hopefully, will not upset his confidence at the very beginning of the match. Stevens pots the first red, but both the pink and black are covered, so it will be hard to get a high scoring break.  Stevens plays the safety shot into baulk, before Allen is at the table and also pots a red. He plays the yellow to try and bring the black into play, although does not achieve it.  His next shot is a safety into baulk, although he has managed to get the pink into play, which will be a good opportunity for either player to build a good break. Stevens, in going in-off has knocked the pink onto the side cushion, again making it hard to score a high break, more so as the blue has been knocked towards the other side cushion.  Allen gets to the table, pots a red and yellow before getting good position although it will be hard to get onto another colour. Matthew gets to the table, although as with all the breaks, does not get past the opening red.  The frame score is stands at 18-16 to Matthew with 9 reds left on the table, five of which only go into the black corner which is blocked by the pink. Referee Jan Verhaas is watching the proceedings, and as both players exchange safety shots, with all the reds heading to the same side of the table, near to the pink which is sitting over the pocket, may consider re-starting the frame. This could become a real possibility. After 18 minutes of play, Matthew catches Mark's eye before he gets down to play a shot, and a raise of the eyebrows, between both players is enough to signal the frame to re-commence.

The frame re-starts and unforced errors by both players in the opening exchange, continues where the aborted frame left off. Matthew does take the opportunity to make the first break in the frame and starts to show some fluidity in his cueing action as the break develops. Matthew gets the score up to 36, before missing a red into the middle, and is lucky that the cue-ball continues into baulk. Allen gets to the table, but on his return, Stevens is again making the break. The break gets up to 35 with four reds remaining as Matthew puts the frame beyond the reach of Mark.  Matthew cannot continue the break, but gets the score to 1-0.

As frame two gets underway, we remind you of our exciting Global Cue Sports Centre competitions that are being run throughout the course of the 888.com World Championship.  Three competitions have already taken place, and the latest competition is a chance for one lucky winner to win a signed cue. Allen is quickly among the balls in this frame, and it is not too long before he has a break up at 32, picking off the loose reds, one at a time, until a missed red, ends the break at 34. There are six reds in a cluster, and will have to be opened at some point. Matthew pots a red and then sinks the black, opening the pack at the same time, although the cue-ball comes back to rest on the top cushion.  A good pot into the middle, keeps Matthews break alive, with the possibility of this becoming a big break. Matthew is becoming more confident now, as his game picks up speed and the break increases. Although Mark had the early chance, it is Matthew who makes the break of 83, to take the second frame and develop his lead.

The pressure on Mark is starting to build as he really needs one of the next two frames to cut the deficit before going into the interval.  Mark is left with an easy red to open the scoring in frame three, and pots a long red, and long blue, before missing another long red.  Still a little unsettled, he will have to dig deep to get a frame registered on the score board. He is not doing much wrong at the moment, but is not maximising on the opportunities that Matthew is leaving for him. Mark gets back to the table and pots his opening red, but misses the black of its spot, concentrating on position rather than the pot. Matthew is left with a chance. With the break on 22, Matthew clears the red next to the black, and providing he can open the pack of seven reds, could have a frame winning chance at this visit. You can see pictures of all the action from Sheffield in our gallery, this is updated regularly, with in-match pictures from the matches included. Matthew's break ends at 46, which is not quite enough to win the frame.  Mark manages a safety, which is returned by Matthew. A cut into the corner pocket puts another point on for Mark, although, yet again, he cannot progress past his opening pot, as he is forced to play safe.  All the remaining five reds are in pottable positions.  Whoever is lucky to pot the next red, could be on a winner. Matthew gets a fluke, which will be a contender for fluke of the championship, to get rid of a red. Mark comes to the table trailing 37 points, at 49-12, and can only play a safety as the frame passes the 20 minute point. Matthew pots the last red, as Mark comes to the table requiring snookers now.  A safety exchange is underway, as the clock reaches 30 minutes of play so far in this frame, as Mark continues working hard to lay the required snooker. A foul by Matthew, from a very difficult snooker, give Mark a little more hope of keeping the frame alive, until Matthew pots the last red and makes a break of 10.  His lead is now 3-0.

Mark breaks-off in frame four, knowing that Matthew is more than capable of winning the frames by making 40+ breaks, as he has done in the previous frames, and shows extreme caution in selecting his shots, be very careful not go give Matthew any chances. Matthew, however, is looking to go into the interval with a four frame advantage as he pots the first red.  He cannot continue as Mark is given his best chance to make a decent size break, which does not reach double figures.  Matthew is back at the table and could do some damage in this visit.  Both players need to win the match, but Matthew has the additional pressure of achieving a good run in this championship to keep him ranked in the top 16 professionals.  At present, it looks he will have to get to the semi finals to secure his top 16 spot. Matthew's break ends on 28, before Mark comes to the table and starts potting balls. He is unlucky as he ends up on a touching ball, forcing the safety.  The only positive for Mark, after failing to make a frame winning visit is that he only trails 28-21 in this frame. Matthew comes to the table, and should win the frame from this visit as the reds are evenly spread, the high valued colours spotted, and no requirement to play the low value colours as the frame will be safe by time he gets onto the colours, which he clears anyway to take a massive 4-0 lead going into the interval.   

As the players return to the arena, it is also a good chance to welcome our viewers from across the world, with a special welcome to those from Bulgaria and also from Saudi Arabia.  Matthew comes to the table to get the action underway in frame 5.  If Mark wants to have a good chance of a recovery, he will need to take at least two frames from the remaining four frames of this this session.  Reports of all the matches appear in our news pages, and it gives you a good chance to keep up to date with action form all the matches as they finish. Matthew is at the table, scoring some points, although the pink and black are tied up and Matthew will need to do some work if he wants to win the frame on this visit.  It proves not to be a winning visit, as the break ends on 18.  Mark comes to the table and cannot do anything apart from offer a safety shot. A safety exchange gets underway, although an attacking safety by Mark puts the reds into open play.  Mark returns to the table a few shots later, and takes advantage of the evenly split reds to make his highest break of match so far, registering a 101, raising the temperature in sizzling snooker.

Mark goes into frame 6, having found some form, and hopefully increasing his confidence, as well as letting Matthew know that he is not going to give up without a fight.  He has found the road to recovery, and his fans at the Crucible, will be hoping that it is not too long before he catches Matthew. He is off to a good start as opens the scoring in this frame. It is looking a good solid performance now, as the break climbs get close to the mid-century point, before not being able to recover from a poor position. A good attacking safety from Matthew splits the reds, although it is Mark would gets the advantage returning to the table to make a 33 break to cross the safety line in this frame.  The break ends at 65, concluding the frame.  Mark now only trails by two frames, having dominated the last two frames.  he is now only 2 frames behind with two frame remaining.  

In no time at all, Mark is on an opening break, although the split of the reds, leaves Mark with a difficult cut into the middle to continue the break.  He makes it look so easy as the break passes the half-century point.  He looks comfortable. The break passes the century point with two reds remaining, coming to its conclusion at 118.  He is now within one frame of clearing Matthews lead.

The last frame of the session gets underway, and Matthew, not having scored a point in the last two frames, gets the first points of the frame on the score board.  The breaks comes to its end at 27. Mark plays a safety, and in an unlucky reply, Matthew plays in-off, but Mark is not able to capitalise s he misses the pot on the red.  Consistent play gets Mark back within five points of Matthew's lead.  With so much hanging on the frame, both players are desperate not to make errors as it could be the difference between winning and losing.  The patriotic Welshman, proudly showing Dragon's on his cuffs, soon disposes of of the remaining reds and colours, to end the session, leading 5-3. Coverage of this match resumes on Saturday at 1000(BST).

Our live coverage continues over one table 1 with the concluding frames of the session in the Ian McCulloch/Anthony Hamilton match.  We will also be following the two matches which commence at 1900(BST) which sees the conclusion of the exciting, and currently level (8-8) thoroughly entertaining match between two world champions in the form of John Parrott and Shaun Murphy. Table one sees the 2nd second session of the Stephen Maguire/Joe Swail match, with Maguire having dominated the first frame to get a 6-2 lead.

Good morning and welcome back to this fabulous match... Matthew leads 5-3, but Mark Allen fought back brilliantly with two centuries yesterday afternoon... Stevens is first amongst the balls and he's rattled up 46 already... this is a great start to the day, 73 and counting... and there's the century, the match has been of the very highest standard... another ton on our snooker sizzler...

... Matthew's firing on all cylinders this morning, up to 25 already and has split the reds open as well, but not so lucky with that split as the white sticks on the pack... so he's had to play safe... Not for long as he finds a red and moves to 24, but that's his first error of the day as he misses a black off the spot... a chance now for Mark to get amongst the balls... and he's missed a black, trying to force an angle... Matthew leads 49-9... now he leads 63-9 and it looks like 7-3 now....

... Mark needs  nice easy opening to get him into the match this morning, but he's had a difficult one there and only made 6 before missing a thing cut red... Matthew has another chance and he's beginning to dominate this match now... and the leads grows to 40 points, he's heading for a 5 frame lead... If Allen can win a frame before the interval he'll still have a chance in this match before it slips away from him... so that's another frame in the bag for Matthew, a dream start for him this morning...

...Now can Mark get any sort of chance in the last frame before the interval... he's had very little to go at so far this morning as Matthew has totally closed him out of the match at the moment.... Matthew looks very assured today, he's cueing extremely well, and it's an even more meritorious performance considering the pressure he is under to salvage his top 16 ranking... he needs to reach the semi-finals here at the Crucible this year to keep his elite ranking... Mark's found a red, but no position so he's forced to play safe, he's clinging on by his fingertips at the moment... a little safety exchange here is at least giving Mark a few shots, he's had very little table time this morning... Allen's popped in a long red, he still looks in good touch despite being frozen out this morning, at last he has a chance and he has to take it... God morning to a visitor from Freemont, California, you're up early! I hope you're enjoying our coverage... why not sign out Guest Book, Join the GSC Forum or pop us an email to share your views... Mark's moved along to 35 and this is more encouraging for his supporters... Matthew and Mark have never played in a major event before, but Mark used to visit South Wales as an amateur to practice with the lads at Neath and he did have some practice games with Matthew at that time, but this is a bit different, this is the Crucible... he's 56 ahead now with 5 reds left... and that red secures the frame for him... he'll feel a little better during the interval... the break goes to 70, can he make his third century of the match... no he can't but he's got a spring back in his step as they go off for the interval... join us again in 15 minutes... the dramatic conclusion of the Anthony Hamilton v Ian McCulloch match is unfolding on the adjoining table this morning...

...Play has resumed and Mark Allen will be looking to make further inroads into the deficit... Of course Mark is a former European Under 19 champion, this year's event, held at Pontin's, Prestatyn, was won by fifteen year old Michael White, who take his place on the 2007-8 WSA Main Tour... you can see some video clips from the matches in our new Pontin's Video Library, there are also clips from the PIOS, and the final crucial PIOS event, which will determine the 8 players gaining promotion to next season's Main Tour, takes place 10-14 May, you can followed PIOS 8 live here on GCS... Mark has found the opening red of this frame... he's in amongst the reds and has built a 28-6 lead so far... he doesn't take long to compile a break and he's moved along to 52 now... he's added a blue but he's not on a red here, so back to baulk with the white and he'll sit on his lead... but he left a red and Matthew's hit that sweetly into the top pocket, a good chance to score heavily... and he's back to only 51-57 behind, but a loose position makes this red hard, it sails in! It's all about position from black to yellow now... the yellow is slightly off its spot... it will go into the centre... good chance to nick the frame... this will be a body blow to Allen, a two frame swing in Matthew's favour... just pink needed and that's a good pink, 73 and the frame to Stevens...

...Into frame fourteen and to have any realistic chance in this match Allen needs to win the remaining three frames of this session, but whatever happens he has had a wonderful Crucible debut, to round off a very good season, he's secured a place in the Top 32 for next season, and he's announced himself with a vengeance to the game's leading players, his defeat of Ken Doherty proved to Mark and all players and spectators that he is heading for the very highest status in the game and is a name we will be hearing a lot about in the next few season.... Well there's a cracking opening red by Mark, he'll continue to go for his game, it's the only way he knows how to play and it's usually very successful... In fact it's so successful that in this match Mark has 100% success on his long pots, but not on blacks off the spot as he misses that one.... he's got away with it, nothing on for Matthew and the black has gone down into baulk, the pink is tied up by the pack so break-building will be complicated for whoever gets the next red... Allen's just ruined his 100% long pot record by missing one but again nothing left for Matthew... a couple of excellent safety shots from either player... but not that time by Matthew who's pushed a red over the pocket...a lot of applause from the adjoining table  as Anthony Hamilton completes his second century of the morning... meanwhile Mark has broken down and it's back to safety for a moment or two... Hamilton has won all four frames of this morning's session and stands one frame from victory in that match at their interval... both players have missed attempt reds now but not too much damage done... now there is and Allen is capitalising... another good chance to pull a frame back... he's having to work off pink and blue as black is still down the other end of the table... but he's 51 ahead with 67 left... he's got this one as frame ball red lands safely in the pocket... another excellent break by Allen... and a great double to keep the break going, he's after another century... there's exactly 100 on if he can clear up... and he doubles the green as well... but the brown stays out, but it's another frame on the board for Allen...

...Now can Mark Allen continue his recovery, he must still be kicking himself for letting frame 13 slip away, this match could be a lot closer, but he's at the table again here as Matthew broke down on 11.... the other match has resumed after their interval and Hamilton needs just one frame now to book a quarter final against either Stephen Maguire or Joe Swail and Maguire leads that match 11-5 and they play to a finish this afternoon... Mark has progressed to 35 but he's not on the black so it's end of break... and he's put Stevens in trouble with his safety shot... Matthew's left a long red to the green pocket, will Mark be tempted... silly question, but he's missed it and left nothing easy... Matthew's safety has left one for Mark and he's stretching his lead now... and that's another frame under his belt...

.. so this is the final frame of the session, can Mark close to 9-7, this is a massive frame for both players... Matthew's found a superb red up into the green pocket, great pot and he's on the black... he's cracked the reds open, but he's got no position so will have to wait for another chance to come his way... well there's another fabulous red from Matthew, the balls are open, the black is a bit tied up by a red and the pink is out of the game at the moment, so he'll work off the blue... a mid-range red eludes him, only 20 points and an opening for Allen... He moves 27-21 ahead, a lot of work to do yet.... he's not got good position here... so the break ends at 27... Mark leads 34-20... it's got rather nervy in this important frame... Anthony Hamilton has secured victory on the other table... Matthew's tickled another red in... it wobbled but dropped... no easy colour... but that's an excellent pink... but no red to follow... there is for Allen though, he leads 52-27 and there are two more reds left... he's won the frame, a brave fight back and he trails 9-7 at the end of the session... join us again this evening for the conclusion of this thrilling match... We'll be back at 1430 BST as Maguire/Swail continue and Stephen Hendry starts out against Ali Carter...

...Good evening, welcome back to the concluding frames of this high quality match... Matthew misses a long red with his first shot of the evening, just the spur that Mark Allen needs as he tries to close the gap on the former Crucible finalist... only 12 before he runs out of position... Matthew's got a red and forgotten to pot the black... another chance for Allen... he's unlucky, the white has glued itself to two reds and he's snookered on all colours... shame we're not allowed jump shots in snooker because the black is hanging over the pocket... the players resort to a safety exchange and wait to pounce on the slightest chance of a red... It's Stevens who breaks the deadlock, a very good red.... this is a fair chance for Matthew to clinch the frame... as the break reaches 24...thanks to the generosity of sponsors 888.com you've got the chance to win tickets to the quarter-finals, semi-finals and even the final of this year's 888.com World Snooker Championship... but you'll have to put a bit of brain work into this... total up the amount of points you think will be scored by all players on both tables and submit your entries... in no time at all Matthew is on to 53 and the frame is in the bag....

...a chance for Matthew right at the start of frame 18.... he's looking to put a lot of daylight between himself and Mark as soon as he can... he's lost position here playing a pot left-handed... so just 22 at that visit... a chance for Mark now... but he's missed trying to cue down over the pack... there's a lot of noise from the other table... John Higgins is on a maximum attempt... Matthew continues oblivious of the noise, which has subsided as Higgins missed on 89... Matthew hasn't missed the break is up to 31 and he leads 54-19, he's put the frame beyond doubt now... Mark Allen's Crucible dream is fading quickly here...

...an early chance for Mark and chances and time are fast running out for him... he hasn't done much wrong, but Matthew's play has been quite superb, particularly at the start of each session, leaving Mark playing catch-up all the way through this match... the break ends at 25, a tough red with the rest and he's unlucky, it's gone over the other corner... a rare miss by Matthew, Allen breathes again... Whoomph, what a pot by Allen, but all he can do is roll up to the yellow now... a miss by Matthew... and back it goes behind the yellow again... he's missed again... miss number three... all useful points for Allen who leads 38-9 and there's a red for him.... he's made 32, missed a red but he leads 70-9 with 4 reds left... that's put it beyond doubt as he pots another red... he's still in the match - just...

... into the last frame before their final interval... another thumping long red by Allen and he's on the black... he can only make 16 as a long red to yellow pocket fails to drop... and it's a chance for Matthew.... only 22 though as Matthew's lost position... but he'll have another chance as Mark over cuts a red... an easy red for Matthew but not good position and he's missed the mid-range blue... it's gone a bit scrappy as the nerves kick in... so yet another opportunity for Mark to get in and win this frame... he's got a kick... but the ball still drops... it's cost him position... he gets yet another chance as Matthew kisses a red over the pocket... now he leads 56-23 and he's opened the last three reds, he should win the frame now... and he has... so he's just two behind as they go off for a 15 minute break...

... the players are back in the arena for the final frames of the match... a possible five frames to play... Stevens needs two of them and Mark needs four... a bad miss on that red from Matthew, not quite settled yet... Mark returns the favour... clear signs of nerves now... that's an easy red for Matthew, he's landed badly on the blue, but retrieved the position thanks to the one red at the baulk end... but he's missed the black, he looks a bit edgy now... Mark can't turn that into a decent chance but he's played a good safety... and so has Matthew... and he's picked out a red, needs good position from the green and that is okay... lots of hard work here off the blue as pink is tucked up and black is on side cushion... Matthew's got the pink into play onto the black spot, that helps his cause a lot... Matthew's moved 30 points ahead but he's lost ideal position, not easy to get on the next red now... and he's missed the red, so he leads 42-7, an easy red for Mark... he'll have to split the reds though... he can't from the pink so he's forced to play safe now... not the best safety from Matthew... can Mark pot another good long red... yes he can... can he hold his nerve and clear up this frame and close to only one behind... that would put severe pressure on Stevens... 4 points behind as he cues up the last red... but he's over-cut the black... the yellow is on for Matthew... and how relieved does he feel at the moment... he only needs brown and blue now... he gets them, what a huge swing, he's 12-9 up, it could have been 11-10...

...will this be the final frame of the match or can Mark mount another recovery, he's staring defeat in the face now... he's missed a red... but so has Matthew but he's covered the red in the jaws... and now it's on again for Matthew... the audience has gone quiet, it's very tense... Matthew's got the black back on its spot and this looks like a good chance now... the red has spun off the pack and there's no easy red on here... nothing on at all in fact so just a safety shot... Matthew has a 24 point lead... an excellent safety by Allen, back to the top cushion... all Matthew can do is roll up to the pack... Mark's missed a long red attempt and here's another good chance for Matthew to clinch frame and match... the winning line approaches and so does a repeat of the 2005 final as Matthew goes forward to face Shaun Murphy in the quarter finals... the leads goes to 63, 6 reds left, the red disappears, just the blue for victory... and he misses it... Allen can only get one point, he needs snookers and it's all over now...

FRAME SCORES

1. 1-78(36,42)

2. 34(34)-83(83)

3. 16-65(46)

4. 21-79

5. 101(101)-18

6. 105(40,65)-0

7. 118(118)-0

8. 22-112(85)

FRAME SCORES

9. 0-101(101)

10. 9-76

11. 6-71(34,33)

12. 85(83)-0

13. 57(57)-79(73)

14. 90(78)-1

15. 76(41)-11

16. 64-27

FRAME SCORES

17. 17-92(83)

18. 19-87(64)

19. 98-9

20. 97(56)-30

21. 39-60

22. 1-65(40)

23.

24.

25.

WINNER

QUOTES

MATTHEW STEVENS

"Mark was scoring quite heavily and put me under pressure but he missed a black at 11-9 which was a big shot."

"He’s done very well here, it’s his first visit here, he's an unbelievable player."
"There is enough pressure here in the tournament but even more when you are thinking about your top 16 ranking."

 "The way I’ve played this season I probably don’t deserve to be here."

"It’s the tournament everyone wants to win and that’s what I’m here to do."
"Shaun Murphy has improved a lot since the 2005 final, he’s one of the favourites for the tournament so I would be the underdog."

 "I look forward to the challenge. I haven’t played him since that final, I haven’t got far enough in the tournaments."

"He’s second favourite for the event but I’m feeling good about myself and hopefully I’ll give him a tough game."
"I’ve put in extra practice for this tournament, I’m trying to get fitter for the longer games and I’m feeling pretty good about myself."

"I’ve been close to winning this tournament a couple of times and it’s the one I want to win."

MARK ALLEN
"I missed quite a few blacks in the whole match. "

"I scored probably just as well as Matthew but made mistakes that top players probably wouldn’t make."

"It’s encouraging for the future."

"I never really settled at the beginning whereas Matthew is a little more experienced and settled right away."

"At 4-0 down in the match you’re up against it straight away. I got it back to 4-3 but never got within 2 frames of him."

"I kept missing chances and couldn’t put any pressure on him. When it was 9-6, he let me in again for 9-7."
"I beat Ken in the first round and he’s one of the top players and it gave me the confidence to play against Matthew."

"All credit to Matthew, any chance he got, he scored pretty heavily against me."