CWY Snooker House

Detail Reports

SECOND ROUNDS

Marcus Campbell (Sco) 4-6 Patrick Wallace (NI)

Marcus Campbell, whose 9-0 third round victory over Stephen Hendry last year remains one of the biggest upsets of all time, was an early casualty.
Campbell, attempting to reach the third round again, was beaten 6-4 by Wallace who faces Stephen Lee, last season's Grand Prix champion, for a place in the televised stages.
"It wasn't a great match but the luck I didn't get, was horrendous. The standard these days is so high that if the flicks and nudges don't go your way, it's good night."
"This sort of thing can make all the difference when you are trying to fight your way back into the game," said the Scot who pulled up from 1-5 to 4-5 before losing the last frame on the black.
This match was suspended while Patrick Wallace led by 5-4 to accommodate the evening session. Eventually, Wallace took another 55 minutes to take the victory.

Gerard Greene (NI) 3-6 Michael Judge (Ire)

Dubliner Michael Judge defeated Gerard Greene 6-3 to become the first player into the Last 32 of the Liverpool Victoria UK Championship.
24 year old Michael Judge carved out a hard fought win over Northern Ireland's Gerard Greene and then benefited from the withdrawal of Australian Quinten Hann to leapfrog a round into the Last 32, where he might face World No. 3 Mark Williams.
A tired, but relieved Judge said after his match: "I didn't realise that would be the case until an official told me just before the match started. In a way, I would have preferred not to have known anything though it did make me try that much harder. I feel exhausted."
"I've been playing quite well this year, but I've came up against good players, so with a bit of luck now, perhaps I can go further and get a good run."
"Mark's beaten me three times, but I have played well against him, I did beat him in the one frame we played in the Nations Cup. I had played Quinten twice before and lost, but naturally I'd have beaten him this time!"

Marcus Campbell (Sco)	4-6	Patrick Wallace (NI)
Marcus Campbell, whose 9-0 third round victory over Stephen Hendry last year remains one of the biggest upsets of all time, was an early casualty. Campbell, attempting to reach the third round again, was beaten 6-4 by Wallace who faces Stephen Lee, last season's Grand Prix champion, for a place in the televised stages. "It wasn't a great match but the luck I didn't get, was horrendous. The standard these days is so high that if the flicks and nudges don't go your way, it's good night." "This sort of thing can make all the difference when you are trying to fight your way back into the game," said the Scot who pulled up from 1-5 to 4-5 before losing the last frame on the black. This match was suspended while Patrick Wallace led by 5-4 to accommodate the evening session. Eventually, Wallace took another 55 minutes to take the victory.

Gerard Greene (NI)	3-6	Michael Judge (Ire)
Dubliner Michael Judge defeated Gerard Greene 6-3 to become the first player into the Last 32 of the Liverpool Victoria UK Championship. 24 year old Michael Judge carved out a hard fought win over Northern Ireland's Gerard Greene and then benefited from the withdrawal of Australian Quinten Hann to leapfrog a round into the Last 32, where he might face World No. 3 Mark Williams. A tired, but relieved Judge said after his match: "I didn't realise that would be the case until an official told me just before the match started. In a way, I would have preferred not to have known anything though it did make me try that much harder. I feel exhausted." "I've been playing quite well this year, but I've came up against good players, so with a bit of luck now, perhaps I can go further and get a good run." "Mark's beaten me three times, but I have played well against him, I did beat him in the one frame we played in the Nations Cup. I had played Quinten twice before and lost, but naturally I'd have beaten him this time!"

THIRD ROUNDS

Alan McManus (Sco) 8-9 Michael Holt (Eng)

Glasgow's Alan McManus found that lighting can strike twice as he bowed out of the championship.
McManus, the world No.8, was beaten 9-8 by Michael Holt, the same player who dumped him out of the championship a year ago when he lost 9-7 in the same third round.
But McManus made a brave attempt to stay in the tournament after Holt had opened up a 4-1, 5-2 and 7-4 lead.
The Scot hit back and led for the only time at 8-7 but the 21 year old forced the decider after a 36 minutes 16th frame while a break of 52 in the last, proved decisive.
Holt, World Ranked No. 74, will now play the mercurial Tony Drago said "I came here this year, having not played too well, so my confidence was a bit low, but to win this game is big."
"Last year's game might have had a bearing, but I don't know what he was thinking. I played the last two frames as well as I possibly could have done."
"I'm looking forward to playing Tony, we both like playing our shots, but I think I've got every chance of winning."
McManus whose highest breaks were 79 and 69 said: "He is a very good player who seems to enjoy his matches against me."
"Michael hasn't done as well as I would have expected this season but I was pretty awful and he took his chances. He will give anyone a tough game in this sort of form."
And he sounded a warning to Drago and the other Top Seeds, saying "It's hard out there, especially when you're playing a guy whose already beaten a couple of good players. In a lot of the game, the top seeds will struggle because these guys are really sharp."
"The result is very disappointing particularly as I made such an early exit from the Grand Prix last month," he added.
Holt, highest breaks 86 and 55 remarked, "It was a happy anniversary for me though at one point I thought I was going to win more easier than I did."

Tony Drago (Mal) 9-6 Gary Ponting (Eng)

Tony Drago, the world No.20, won seven of the last eight frames completing a 9-6 victory over Gary Ponting who at one stage led 5-2.
Drago, out of sorts as Ponting, from Bristol, took charge, recovered in the second session in which his opponent added only one frame to his interval total.
"A few years ago I would probably have given up but I dug in deep and waited for my chances which was so important. To be honest neither of us played particularly well though in the second half I did a lot better," said Drago.
"I'm sure Gary would have beaten me easily had he been on top of his game but fortunately for me, he missed quite a few shots as well," said Drago whose 142 total clearance in the 13th frame was the third 140 plus break of the day.

Billy Snaddon (Sco) 3-9 Marco Fu (HK)

Marco Fu, runner-up in last year's Grand Prix but yet to make a sizeable impression on any of this season's events, produced a polished performance on his way to the fourth round.
Fu, the world No.35 from Hong Kong who stands at No.17 on the provisional rankings, compiled breaks of 120, 106, 79, 73 (twice) and 58 completing a 9-3 victory over Billy Snaddon. The two century breaks although made his century total to 36 in his short but spectacular career.
But the 21 year old refused to get carried away by his improved form. "On paper it was a good result but I only scored heavily because Billy kept missing to let me in. He also didn't punish me when I made mistakes."

Steve Davis (Eng) 9-6 Paul Sweeny (Eng)

Steve Davis, who lost the first four frames, bounced back to complete a 9-6 victory over law student Paul Sweeny.
But the six times UK champion admitted afterwards, "He should have buried me. I have got away with murder. Early on it was no race and I just don't know how I have won. I would imagine Paul is feeling very disappointed."
Davis, 5-3 down at half way, won the last five frames to join the last 32 - with a break of 54 sealing victory.
Earlier Davis had breaks of 81, 73 and 55 with Sweeny responsible for a total clearance of 142.

Fergal O'Brien (Ire) 8-9 Lee Walker (Wal)

Newbridge professional, Lee Walker, defeated Fergal O'Brien, last season's British Open champion, 9-8, after falling 6-2 and 8-4 behind.
The match lasted 515 minutes, the third longest 17 frame contest, in the game's history.
O'Brien had led by four with five to play, helped by breaks of 131, 76, 59 and 52 but Walker, in the 14th frame, recorded the highest of the match, a 137.
In a contest which didn't end until 40 minutes after midnight, eight frames took over half an hour to complete, three more than 40 minutes, and one over an hour.
In this frame, a 62 mins.10 seconds 10th, was resolved in Walker's favour on the pink after the Welshman and O'Brien had spent nearly 20 minutes trying to find an opportunity to pot it.

Jimmy White (Eng) 9-6 Paul Davies (Wal)

Jimmy White won a quality match against Cardiff's Paul Davies in the third round to give his army of fans something to cheer about in Bournemouth.
"It was a good match, said White, I never made a mistake to go 4-0 and I should have been 5-0."
White compiled breaks of 68, 55, 50 and 49 to take his 4-0 lead but Davies pegged him back to 4-3.
Londoner White stretched his lead to 5-3 with a run of 65, which was immediately countered by 99 from Davies.
White then found his touch to the tune of a 132 break and went further ahead at 8-5.
Davies contributed a break of 106, but he couldn't hold the White surge, as Jimmy closed out the match with a break of 77.
Having recovered from the shock of the football scoreline, Jimmy commented: "1-0 Scotland, you're having a laugh", "I've played like an ice-cream all season, but I'm playing well now and hitting ball really good." "I'm playing good and trying to stay solid. I sat and watched all the final of the Grand Prix with John and Mark, which is something I haven't done for years, and I'm still doing my exhibitions, but I am getting plenty of practice in and really enjoying it." White will now face Northern Ireland's Terry Murphy in the fourth round.

Peter Ebdon (Eng) 4-9 Shokat Ali (Pkn)

Shokat Ali, one of only two Pakistani sportsmen to win gold medals at last year's Asian Games, produced a major upset when he defeated Peter Ebdon, the 13th seed, 9-4.
Ali, a 29 year old who was born in Accrington and speaks fluent Urdu and Punjabi, won four of the last five frames after holding a 5-3 overnight lead.
"I kept him under pressure from start to finish and in the end it showed. To beat someone as good as Peter, will do my confidence a lot of good," said Ali who compiled breaks of 99, 98, 85, 71, 46 and 42.
He added, "I used to be safety conscious but you cannot play that sort of game these days and expect to win matches. Safety might have been the best form of attack in the 1980's but players have become ruthless going for their shots these days and I have had to changed for the better."
Ebdon, runner-up to Stephen Hendry in 1995, remarked, "Without a doubt this was the worst performance of my career. I'm devastated at the way I played, I just wasn't there. I put up no resistance and my all round game was poor."
"I cannot pin point what the trouble was but I had chances to make frame winning clearances and couldn't take them which is not like me. I also missed two blues, I couldn't believe. It was disgraceful, I was two inches out with the one shot."

Dominic Dale (Wal) 4-9 Drew Henry (Sco)

In the first session, Rutherglen's Drew Henry was 4-2 ahead but took on a spectator's role as Dale hammered home breaks of 145 and 105 to square the match at 4-4 overnight.
Dale was even heading for a maximum in frame seven but he took the blue instead of a black after the 10th red and the chance of a ￡5,000 bonus had gone. However, this break was still Dale's highest tournament break.
"I could have played for another black but the blue was easier and with the frame not quite over, it was more important to win it considering Drew was two in front at the time. I think I took the pressure off myself by taking the right shot to win the frame." said Dale.
Dale went on to praise his Coach, Don Newcombe from Cardigan, saying "I've got my coach Don to thank for this. He spotted two things last weekend that I was doing and we've corrected them. Now I'm full of confidence and I'm cueing like a dream. He's a brilliant coach."

Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng) 9-3 Steve James (Eng)

Ronnie O'Sullivan and Steve James put on a spectacular potting show, to which Cannock's James contributed breaks of 108, 143 and 113 in the only three frames he won, while O'Sullivan crashed in runs of 107 and 118 in successive frames.

Stephen Hendry (Sco) 9-8 Jason Ferguson (Eng)

World champion Stephen Hendry won the last four frames to prevent another UK championship catastrophe. He was 4-1 ahead but 8-5 behind, defeated world number 50 Jason Ferguson just 9-8.
But the Scot appeared to be on his way out as Ferguson led 44-0 in the 15th frame. The great escape gained momentum when the Mansfield professional missed a black though it was only on the black that Hendry forced the decider.
"I would have been absolutely gutted to lose. I have been playing the best snooker of my career in practice. But I couldn't get going this morning, my concentration was non existent, " said Hendry who suffered a 9-0 whitewash at the same stage of the championship a year ago.
"To be honest, Jason deserved to beat me. He had chances to win in most of the frames and I'm very fortunate to get through, there is no doubt about that."
Hendry's victory prevented Ferguson from completing a double celebration, his wife Helen having presented him with their first child in a Bournemouth hospital at 2:43 in the early morning.
Elliott Lewis, weighed in a 6 pounds 13 ounces and despite the early arrival, mother and baby were reported to be doing well.
Ferguson who was at the birth of their son and turned his attention back to the snooker table at 10am said, "The doctor told my wife Helen, the birth wasn't imminent when she went to see him on Monday. We were also working on predictions that December 5th was the likely date and that's why she came with me to Bournemouth."
"But last night she went into labour at the nearby hotel we are staying at and within four hours of going into hospital, it was all over."
"The thought had crossed my mind that I might have to pull out of the match and I would have done had the baby not arrived when it did. The only problem was that I didn't get much sleep afterwards."
Struggling to keep his eyes open, the exhausted new father said "I've played some good snooker this season, but I need that little bit of confidence to get myself going."
"I am exhausted after just three hours sleep, but I woke up a bit during the match tonight. I missed the black, but I'd left myself awkward and had to force it. When you're clearing up to win, you want to make it as easy as possible."
Hendry who knew Ferguson had become a father just a few minutes before the match start, said, "That's a huge consolation to Jason, it's fantastic to have a new baby. I'm sure it will help him get over the defeat, because he should have won, but when he gets home he'll forget all about snooker."

Alan McManus (Sco)	8-9	Michael Holt (Eng)
Glasgow's Alan McManus found that lighting can strike twice as he bowed out of the championship. McManus, the world No.8, was beaten 9-8 by Michael Holt, the same player who dumped him out of the championship a year ago when he lost 9-7 in the same third round. But McManus made a brave attempt to stay in the tournament after Holt had opened up a 4-1, 5-2 and 7-4 lead. The Scot hit back and led for the only time at 8-7 but the 21 year old forced the decider after a 36 minutes 16th frame while a break of 52 in the last, proved decisive. Holt, World Ranked No. 74, will now play the mercurial Tony Drago said "I came here this year, having not played too well, so my confidence was a bit low, but to win this game is big." "Last year's game might have had a bearing, but I don't know what he was thinking. I played the last two frames as well as I possibly could have done." "I'm looking forward to playing Tony, we both like playing our shots, but I think I've got every chance of winning." McManus whose highest breaks were 79 and 69 said: "He is a very good player who seems to enjoy his matches against me." "Michael hasn't done as well as I would have expected this season but I was pretty awful and he took his chances. He will give anyone a tough game in this sort of form." And he sounded a warning to Drago and the other Top Seeds, saying "It's hard out there, especially when you're playing a guy whose already beaten a couple of good players. In a lot of the game, the top seeds will struggle because these guys are really sharp." "The result is very disappointing particularly as I made such an early exit from the Grand Prix last month," he added. Holt, highest breaks 86 and 55 remarked, "It was a happy anniversary for me though at one point I thought I was going to win more easier than I did."

Tony Drago (Mal)	9-6	Gary Ponting (Eng)
Tony Drago, the world No.20, won seven of the last eight frames completing a 9-6 victory over Gary Ponting who at one stage led 5-2. Drago, out of sorts as Ponting, from Bristol, took charge, recovered in the second session in which his opponent added only one frame to his interval total. "A few years ago I would probably have given up but I dug in deep and waited for my chances which was so important. To be honest neither of us played particularly well though in the second half I did a lot better," said Drago. "I'm sure Gary would have beaten me easily had he been on top of his game but fortunately for me, he missed quite a few shots as well," said Drago whose 142 total clearance in the 13th frame was the third 140 plus break of the day.

Billy Snaddon (Sco)	3-9	Marco Fu (HK)
Marco Fu, runner-up in last year's Grand Prix but yet to make a sizeable impression on any of this season's events, produced a polished performance on his way to the fourth round. Fu, the world No.35 from Hong Kong who stands at No.17 on the provisional rankings, compiled breaks of 120, 106, 79, 73 (twice) and 58 completing a 9-3 victory over Billy Snaddon. The two century breaks although made his century total to 36 in his short but spectacular career. But the 21 year old refused to get carried away by his improved form. "On paper it was a good result but I only scored heavily because Billy kept missing to let me in. He also didn't punish me when I made mistakes."

Steve Davis (Eng)	9-6	Paul Sweeny (Eng)
Steve Davis, who lost the first four frames, bounced back to complete a 9-6 victory over law student Paul Sweeny. But the six times UK champion admitted afterwards, "He should have buried me. I have got away with murder. Early on it was no race and I just don't know how I have won. I would imagine Paul is feeling very disappointed." Davis, 5-3 down at half way, won the last five frames to join the last 32 - with a break of 54 sealing victory. Earlier Davis had breaks of 81, 73 and 55 with Sweeny responsible for a total clearance of 142.

Fergal O'Brien (Ire)	8-9	Lee Walker (Wal)
Newbridge professional, Lee Walker, defeated Fergal O'Brien, last season's British Open champion, 9-8, after falling 6-2 and 8-4 behind. The match lasted 515 minutes, the third longest 17 frame contest, in the game's history. O'Brien had led by four with five to play, helped by breaks of 131, 76, 59 and 52 but Walker, in the 14th frame, recorded the highest of the match, a 137. In a contest which didn't end until 40 minutes after midnight, eight frames took over half an hour to complete, three more than 40 minutes, and one over an hour. In this frame, a 62 mins.10 seconds 10th, was resolved in Walker's favour on the pink after the Welshman and O'Brien had spent nearly 20 minutes trying to find an opportunity to pot it.

Jimmy White (Eng)	9-6	Paul Davies (Wal)
Jimmy White won a quality match against Cardiff's Paul Davies in the third round to give his army of fans something to cheer about in Bournemouth. "It was a good match, said White, I never made a mistake to go 4-0 and I should have been 5-0." White compiled breaks of 68, 55, 50 and 49 to take his 4-0 lead but Davies pegged him back to 4-3. Londoner White stretched his lead to 5-3 with a run of 65, which was immediately countered by 99 from Davies. White then found his touch to the tune of a 132 break and went further ahead at 8-5. Davies contributed a break of 106, but he couldn't hold the White surge, as Jimmy closed out the match with a break of 77. Having recovered from the shock of the football scoreline, Jimmy commented: "1-0 Scotland, you're having a laugh", "I've played like an ice-cream all season, but I'm playing well now and hitting ball really good." "I'm playing good and trying to stay solid. I sat and watched all the final of the Grand Prix with John and Mark, which is something I haven't done for years, and I'm still doing my exhibitions, but I am getting plenty of practice in and really enjoying it." White will now face Northern Ireland's Terry Murphy in the fourth round.

Peter Ebdon (Eng)	4-9	Shokat Ali (Pkn)
Shokat Ali, one of only two Pakistani sportsmen to win gold medals at last year's Asian Games, produced a major upset when he defeated Peter Ebdon, the 13th seed, 9-4. Ali, a 29 year old who was born in Accrington and speaks fluent Urdu and Punjabi, won four of the last five frames after holding a 5-3 overnight lead. "I kept him under pressure from start to finish and in the end it showed. To beat someone as good as Peter, will do my confidence a lot of good," said Ali who compiled breaks of 99, 98, 85, 71, 46 and 42. He added, "I used to be safety conscious but you cannot play that sort of game these days and expect to win matches. Safety might have been the best form of attack in the 1980's but players have become ruthless going for their shots these days and I have had to changed for the better." Ebdon, runner-up to Stephen Hendry in 1995, remarked, "Without a doubt this was the worst performance of my career. I'm devastated at the way I played, I just wasn't there. I put up no resistance and my all round game was poor." "I cannot pin point what the trouble was but I had chances to make frame winning clearances and couldn't take them which is not like me. I also missed two blues, I couldn't believe. It was disgraceful, I was two inches out with the one shot."

Dominic Dale (Wal)	4-9	Drew Henry (Sco)
In the first session, Rutherglen's Drew Henry was 4-2 ahead but took on a spectator's role as Dale hammered home breaks of 145 and 105 to square the match at 4-4 overnight. Dale was even heading for a maximum in frame seven but he took the blue instead of a black after the 10th red and the chance of a ￡5,000 bonus had gone. However, this break was still Dale's highest tournament break. "I could have played for another black but the blue was easier and with the frame not quite over, it was more important to win it considering Drew was two in front at the time. I think I took the pressure off myself by taking the right shot to win the frame." said Dale. Dale went on to praise his Coach, Don Newcombe from Cardigan, saying "I've got my coach Don to thank for this. He spotted two things last weekend that I was doing and we've corrected them. Now I'm full of confidence and I'm cueing like a dream. He's a brilliant coach."

Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng)	9-3	Steve James (Eng)
Ronnie O'Sullivan and Steve James put on a spectacular potting show, to which Cannock's James contributed breaks of 108, 143 and 113 in the only three frames he won, while O'Sullivan crashed in runs of 107 and 118 in successive frames.

Stephen Hendry (Sco)	9-8	Jason Ferguson (Eng)
World champion Stephen Hendry won the last four frames to prevent another UK championship catastrophe. He was 4-1 ahead but 8-5 behind, defeated world number 50 Jason Ferguson just 9-8. But the Scot appeared to be on his way out as Ferguson led 44-0 in the 15th frame. The great escape gained momentum when the Mansfield professional missed a black though it was only on the black that Hendry forced the decider. "I would have been absolutely gutted to lose. I have been playing the best snooker of my career in practice. But I couldn't get going this morning, my concentration was non existent, " said Hendry who suffered a 9-0 whitewash at the same stage of the championship a year ago. "To be honest, Jason deserved to beat me. He had chances to win in most of the frames and I'm very fortunate to get through, there is no doubt about that." Hendry's victory prevented Ferguson from completing a double celebration, his wife Helen having presented him with their first child in a Bournemouth hospital at 2:43 in the early morning. Elliott Lewis, weighed in a 6 pounds 13 ounces and despite the early arrival, mother and baby were reported to be doing well. Ferguson who was at the birth of their son and turned his attention back to the snooker table at 10am said, "The doctor told my wife Helen, the birth wasn't imminent when she went to see him on Monday. We were also working on predictions that December 5th was the likely date and that's why she came with me to Bournemouth." "But last night she went into labour at the nearby hotel we are staying at and within four hours of going into hospital, it was all over." "The thought had crossed my mind that I might have to pull out of the match and I would have done had the baby not arrived when it did. The only problem was that I didn't get much sleep afterwards." Struggling to keep his eyes open, the exhausted new father said "I've played some good snooker this season, but I need that little bit of confidence to get myself going." "I am exhausted after just three hours sleep, but I woke up a bit during the match tonight. I missed the black, but I'd left myself awkward and had to force it. When you're clearing up to win, you want to make it as easy as possible." Hendry who knew Ferguson had become a father just a few minutes before the match start, said, "That's a huge consolation to Jason, it's fantastic to have a new baby. I'm sure it will help him get over the defeat, because he should have won, but when he gets home he'll forget all about snooker."

FOURTH ROUNDS

Steve Davis (Eng) 9-5 Jamie Burnett (Sco)

Steve Davis defeated Jamie Burnett 9-5 and plays John Higgins or Chris Small for a place in the quarter-finals, said after his win over Burnett, "I was aggressive around the table and took my chances well. It's always a delight to be able to compete in this manner."
The six times world champion who first played in the UK championship 20 years ago, added, " Winning isn't getting any easier but if you are feeling flat, you have to fight against it otherwise the time has come to stop playing."
"I still have the enthusiasm to compete though when I was trying to qualify - and failing - for the China Open in the depressing cardboard box scenario at Blackpool in September, I did wonder what I was doing there."
"My own view is that this sort of format should be thrown into the dustbin and replaced by an open plan set-up. It would be far more exciting and create a much better atmosphere for all concerned."
"I wouldn't mind a bit if I had to qualify in club surroundings with no-one watching. It would be much better than playing in those cardboard boxes," said Davis whose highest breaks were an 84 (twice), 75, 73 and 53.

Tony Drago (Mal) 1-9 Michael Holt (Eng)

Michael Holt made a near perfect start to his fourth round match against Tony Drago in winning seven frames out of eight to take a 7-1 overnight lead.
The 21 year old Nottingham professional then soon completed a 9-1 victory within 20 minutes of their fourth round match resuming.
Holt compiled breaks of 117 and 93 in the last two frames to go through to the televised stages for the second year in succession.
"I seem to like playing here and the way things are going, someone will have to play well to beat me," said Holt whose other breaks included a 114, 73, 72 and 56.
Progress for the world No.74, has followed a similar path to last year. He defeated Alan McManus 9-7 in the third round in 1998 and again this week and in his next match won 9-1 both times.
"It's nice to win as easily as this again but I took my chances and scored heavily," said Holt who faces Lee Walker for a place in the quarter-finals.
Drago who compiled a total clearance of 134 in the sixth frame, said, "It's a big disappointment to lose like this but Stephen Hendry was beaten 9-0 here last year so if it can happen to him, it can happen to anyone."

John Parrott (Eng) 5-9 Joe Swail (NI)

John Parrott, 13 successive seasons in the top 16, questioned where he was heading after losing his place in the championship.
Parrott, the world No.5 who was beaten 9-5 by Joe Swail, lost six of the last eight frames to the Irishman.
"I don't know whether I'm on the slippery slope," said Parrott whose highest breaks were a 75, 68 and 63.
"The key to my game is consistency. I'm certainly consistent this season, consistently mediocre."
"I haven't been scoring heavily enough and I've needed two or three chances to win a frame. I haven't played well at all so far this season. Joe deserved to win, his game is in better shape thank mine."

Ken Doherty (Ire) 9-4 Graeme Dott (Sco)

Irishman Ken Doherty avenged his Regal Scottish semi final defeat by disposing of Graeme Dott 9-4 to move through the Last 16 of the ￡500,000 Liverpool Victoria UK Championship.
Dubliner Doherty was very happy with his performance after a workmanlike performance in beating Scotland's Graeme Dott.
"I was very disappointed losing to Graeme in the semis last year in Scotland. It was a great 'carrot dangler' to play Stephen in Scotland in the final, but it wasn't to be, so it's really nice to avenge that defeat. It was my most disappointing result last season."
The 'Avenger' Doherty contined "I'm very pleased with the way I'm cueing at the moment. I did the damage in the first session really."
"Over 17 frames, the best players should win on the day, though there's always bound to be a few shocks and surprises. It does favour the top players, but it's very hard to predict a winner, but I'm glad I'm in there - an outsider!"

John Higgins (Sco) 9-5 Chris Small (Sco)

Scores: 28-71 (53), 87-0, 53-56, 1-88 (55), 79-50, 62-51, 89-0 (89), 61-58, 29-84 (51), 85-27 (72), 0-109 (108), 144-0 (144), 107-0 (107), 78-42
World Number One John Higgins was made to work equally hard for his 9-5 victory over fellow Scot Chris Small. In a match lasting nearly 5 hours, Higgins rattled in the highest tv break of 144 and added another 107 in the next frame. This sealed a sequence of 3 successive centuries as Small had knocked in a break of 108 the frame before.
"I'm delighted to beat him", said Higgins, "he's a good player. A lot of people knock Chris because he is a slow player but that's the way he is. He is very useful and a key member of the Scottish team for the Nations Cup."
Looking forward to a Last 16 encounter with six times World Champion Steve Davis, Higgins enthused "I'm looking forward to playing Steve. You never know with Steve, sometimes he'll bog it down and sometimes he comes out and runs round the table, I'm really looking forward to it."
Small felt he was unlucky to fall behind at half way. "It was always going to be an uphill battle trying to claw back his two frame lead. I think my game would have been too good for anyone apart from the world's top four."
"John will be happy with the way his performance and can definitely win this one again. You have to admire how well he plays under pressure and to my mind only Stephen Hendry, at his best, can beat him these days."

Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng) 9-2 Wayne Brown (Eng)

Scores: 79-33 (52), 62-48, 116-17 (77), 47-54, 24-78, 98-0 (64), 75-7, 108-12 (108), 79-1 (72), 80-19, 104-0 (104)
Ronny O'Sullivan, who already has two UK titles under his belt was on course for a maximum in the last frame but with his break on 104, he missed the 14th red.
The Rocket also reckons his best form isn't far away. "The breaks I made suggest I looked good but I'm still not quite at my best and haven't been for about seven years."
"The difference compared with 12 months ago, is I am more disciplined. I have a routine at the practice table which has helped me to play better but not cue better and that's what I'm trying to do."
"It will come back in time, in fact it's not all that far away now. It's my talent which is holding me up at the moment", said O'Sullivan who'll face Anthony Hamilton in the last 16.

Mark J Williams (Wal) 9-4 Michael Judge (Ire)

Scores: 86-25 (86), 72-34, 64-39, 71-19, 73-37, 112-8 (74), 48-64 (56), 89-21, 0-98 (89), 44-68, 20-64 (54), 65-46, 122-3 (106)
World No.3 Mark Williams, runner-up in two majors already this season, reached the last 16 when a clearance of 106 to complete a 9-4 victory over Dubliner Michael Judge.
But Williams reckoned he will have to play much better if he is to get any further in the championship.
"I really struggled to put a decent break together and I can't see myself getting much further here unless I improve," said Williams who faces Jimmy White for a place in the quarter-finals.
"I'm needing three or four chances to win a frame and that's too many against the top players and something I won't be able to afford to do."
He added, "At least I'm looking forward to playing Jimmy again. We haven't met all that often, in fact this will be the first time in a ranking event."
"When I was growing up in this game, I used to love to watch Jimmy play. He was the role model, it was probably the same for most youngsters but even more so for me because we are both left handed."
Judge had to wait exactly a week to play Williams having received a bye into the fourth round following the withdrawal of Australian Quinten Hann. He was also affected by the fact his fourth rounder with Williams along with the three other matches involving the top four seeds, John Higgins, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan, were pushed into the televised stages and co-incided with the start of the fifth round.

Stephen Hendry (Sco) 9-6 Stuart Pettman (Eng)

Scores: 65-13, 94-14 (84), 83-15, 32-68, 83-29, 30-76, 57-70 (51 Hendry), 31-68, 77-26, 47-50, 48-61, 65-59, 68-52 (67, 52), 80-5, 96-0 (74)
World No.2 Stephen Hendry, aiming for a sixth Liverpool Victoria UK championship, defeated Stuart Pettman of Preston, 9-6.
Hendry who led 4-1 but after 11 frames was one behind, produced decisive clearances of 41, 67 and 74 in three of the last four to set up a fifth round contest against local hope, Paul Wykes.
"I'm still finding it hard to get focussed and tuned in to the tournament but I have won two matches here that I could easily have lost so that's something to be thankful for," said the world champion.
"It's important to win matches like this rather than take the easy way out and give up. Hopefully I can now produce my practice game at the match table again".

Steve Davis (Eng)	9-5	Jamie Burnett (Sco)
Steve Davis defeated Jamie Burnett 9-5 and plays John Higgins or Chris Small for a place in the quarter-finals, said after his win over Burnett, "I was aggressive around the table and took my chances well. It's always a delight to be able to compete in this manner." The six times world champion who first played in the UK championship 20 years ago, added, " Winning isn't getting any easier but if you are feeling flat, you have to fight against it otherwise the time has come to stop playing." "I still have the enthusiasm to compete though when I was trying to qualify - and failing - for the China Open in the depressing cardboard box scenario at Blackpool in September, I did wonder what I was doing there." "My own view is that this sort of format should be thrown into the dustbin and replaced by an open plan set-up. It would be far more exciting and create a much better atmosphere for all concerned." "I wouldn't mind a bit if I had to qualify in club surroundings with no-one watching. It would be much better than playing in those cardboard boxes," said Davis whose highest breaks were an 84 (twice), 75, 73 and 53.

Tony Drago (Mal)	1-9	Michael Holt (Eng)
Michael Holt made a near perfect start to his fourth round match against Tony Drago in winning seven frames out of eight to take a 7-1 overnight lead. The 21 year old Nottingham professional then soon completed a 9-1 victory within 20 minutes of their fourth round match resuming. Holt compiled breaks of 117 and 93 in the last two frames to go through to the televised stages for the second year in succession. "I seem to like playing here and the way things are going, someone will have to play well to beat me," said Holt whose other breaks included a 114, 73, 72 and 56. Progress for the world No.74, has followed a similar path to last year. He defeated Alan McManus 9-7 in the third round in 1998 and again this week and in his next match won 9-1 both times. "It's nice to win as easily as this again but I took my chances and scored heavily," said Holt who faces Lee Walker for a place in the quarter-finals. Drago who compiled a total clearance of 134 in the sixth frame, said, "It's a big disappointment to lose like this but Stephen Hendry was beaten 9-0 here last year so if it can happen to him, it can happen to anyone."

John Parrott (Eng)	5-9	Joe Swail (NI)
John Parrott, 13 successive seasons in the top 16, questioned where he was heading after losing his place in the championship. Parrott, the world No.5 who was beaten 9-5 by Joe Swail, lost six of the last eight frames to the Irishman. "I don't know whether I'm on the slippery slope," said Parrott whose highest breaks were a 75, 68 and 63. "The key to my game is consistency. I'm certainly consistent this season, consistently mediocre." "I haven't been scoring heavily enough and I've needed two or three chances to win a frame. I haven't played well at all so far this season. Joe deserved to win, his game is in better shape thank mine."

Ken Doherty (Ire)	9-4	Graeme Dott (Sco)
Irishman Ken Doherty avenged his Regal Scottish semi final defeat by disposing of Graeme Dott 9-4 to move through the Last 16 of the ￡500,000 Liverpool Victoria UK Championship. Dubliner Doherty was very happy with his performance after a workmanlike performance in beating Scotland's Graeme Dott. "I was very disappointed losing to Graeme in the semis last year in Scotland. It was a great 'carrot dangler' to play Stephen in Scotland in the final, but it wasn't to be, so it's really nice to avenge that defeat. It was my most disappointing result last season." The 'Avenger' Doherty contined "I'm very pleased with the way I'm cueing at the moment. I did the damage in the first session really." "Over 17 frames, the best players should win on the day, though there's always bound to be a few shocks and surprises. It does favour the top players, but it's very hard to predict a winner, but I'm glad I'm in there - an outsider!"

John Higgins (Sco)	9-5	Chris Small (Sco)
Scores: 28-71 (53), 87-0, 53-56, 1-88 (55), 79-50, 62-51, 89-0 (89), 61-58, 29-84 (51), 85-27 (72), 0-109 (108), 144-0 (144), 107-0 (107), 78-42 World Number One John Higgins was made to work equally hard for his 9-5 victory over fellow Scot Chris Small. In a match lasting nearly 5 hours, Higgins rattled in the highest tv break of 144 and added another 107 in the next frame. This sealed a sequence of 3 successive centuries as Small had knocked in a break of 108 the frame before. "I'm delighted to beat him", said Higgins, "he's a good player. A lot of people knock Chris because he is a slow player but that's the way he is. He is very useful and a key member of the Scottish team for the Nations Cup." Looking forward to a Last 16 encounter with six times World Champion Steve Davis, Higgins enthused "I'm looking forward to playing Steve. You never know with Steve, sometimes he'll bog it down and sometimes he comes out and runs round the table, I'm really looking forward to it." Small felt he was unlucky to fall behind at half way. "It was always going to be an uphill battle trying to claw back his two frame lead. I think my game would have been too good for anyone apart from the world's top four." "John will be happy with the way his performance and can definitely win this one again. You have to admire how well he plays under pressure and to my mind only Stephen Hendry, at his best, can beat him these days."

Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng)	9-2	Wayne Brown (Eng)
Scores: 79-33 (52), 62-48, 116-17 (77), 47-54, 24-78, 98-0 (64), 75-7, 108-12 (108), 79-1 (72), 80-19, 104-0 (104) Ronny O'Sullivan, who already has two UK titles under his belt was on course for a maximum in the last frame but with his break on 104, he missed the 14th red. The Rocket also reckons his best form isn't far away. "The breaks I made suggest I looked good but I'm still not quite at my best and haven't been for about seven years." "The difference compared with 12 months ago, is I am more disciplined. I have a routine at the practice table which has helped me to play better but not cue better and that's what I'm trying to do." "It will come back in time, in fact it's not all that far away now. It's my talent which is holding me up at the moment", said O'Sullivan who'll face Anthony Hamilton in the last 16.

Mark J Williams (Wal)	9-4	Michael Judge (Ire)
Scores: 86-25 (86), 72-34, 64-39, 71-19, 73-37, 112-8 (74), 48-64 (56), 89-21, 0-98 (89), 44-68, 20-64 (54), 65-46, 122-3 (106) World No.3 Mark Williams, runner-up in two majors already this season, reached the last 16 when a clearance of 106 to complete a 9-4 victory over Dubliner Michael Judge. But Williams reckoned he will have to play much better if he is to get any further in the championship. "I really struggled to put a decent break together and I can't see myself getting much further here unless I improve," said Williams who faces Jimmy White for a place in the quarter-finals. "I'm needing three or four chances to win a frame and that's too many against the top players and something I won't be able to afford to do." He added, "At least I'm looking forward to playing Jimmy again. We haven't met all that often, in fact this will be the first time in a ranking event." "When I was growing up in this game, I used to love to watch Jimmy play. He was the role model, it was probably the same for most youngsters but even more so for me because we are both left handed." Judge had to wait exactly a week to play Williams having received a bye into the fourth round following the withdrawal of Australian Quinten Hann. He was also affected by the fact his fourth rounder with Williams along with the three other matches involving the top four seeds, John Higgins, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan, were pushed into the televised stages and co-incided with the start of the fifth round.

Stephen Hendry (Sco)	9-6	Stuart Pettman (Eng)
Scores: 65-13, 94-14 (84), 83-15, 32-68, 83-29, 30-76, 57-70 (51 Hendry), 31-68, 77-26, 47-50, 48-61, 65-59, 68-52 (67, 52), 80-5, 96-0 (74) World No.2 Stephen Hendry, aiming for a sixth Liverpool Victoria UK championship, defeated Stuart Pettman of Preston, 9-6. Hendry who led 4-1 but after 11 frames was one behind, produced decisive clearances of 41, 67 and 74 in three of the last four to set up a fifth round contest against local hope, Paul Wykes. "I'm still finding it hard to get focussed and tuned in to the tournament but I have won two matches here that I could easily have lost so that's something to be thankful for," said the world champion. "It's important to win matches like this rather than take the easy way out and give up. Hopefully I can now produce my practice game at the match table again".

FIFTH ROUNDS

John Higgins (Sco) 9-4 Steve Davis (Eng)

Scores: 85-5, 136-0 (136), 137-0 (137), 9-49, 66-41, 88-0 (88), 76-0 (76), 81-40, 60-51, 47-83, 29-68, 16-87 (87), 99-38 (93)
Defending champion John Higgins was in sizzling form as he demolished the challenge of Steve Davis. Higgins knocked in back-to-back breaks of 136 and 137 on frame 2 and 3. And in the first four frames, there was also one stage that Davis only potted in 4 balls compared to 99 from Higgins.
Though six times world champion Davis briefly rallied, Higgins was too strong for him to come back.

Lee Walker (Wal) 4-9 Michael Holt (Eng)

Scores: 36-70, 81-34, 90-1 (52), 76-29, 53-57, 61-16, 47-76, 0-101 (101), 4-108, 15-64, 17-67 (67), 36-45, 29-69

Matthew Stevens (Wal) 9-4 Joe Swail (NI)

Scores: 91-17, 22-82 (59), 26-86 (72), 81-2 (53), 130-0 (130), 64-6 (62), 113-1 (75), 69-5 (54), 9-69, 56-60, 72-37 (60), 99-33 (71), 78-1

Anthony Hamilton (Eng) 1-9 Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng)

Scores: 56-67, 7-78 (67), 20-110 (110), 0-126 (126), 1-85 (85), 77-0 (77), 0-86 (86), 0-135 (135), 1-120 (73), 15-103 (66)
Anthony Hamilton queried how well Ronnie O'Sullivan was playing after he was routed 9-1 in the last 16. Hamilton with a ring side view following a 106 minutes mauling in the second fastest best of 17 frames victory of all time, totalled only 24 points in seven of the frames and took a spectator's role as O'Sullivan compiled decent breaks. Admitting O'Sullivan was "super confident" he added the rider, "I'm not sure how well Ronnie is playing because he wasn't put under any pressure. He will have to dig deeper from now on so we will see then just how good his form is". The world number 4, twice UK champion said: "I never expected to beat Anthony by this score and really it's a bit of a freak result."
"But I got in early on and that helped me to relax much quicker. I will be hard to beat, make no mistake about that."
Though O'Sullivan who has so far won 27 frames and conceded only six in the three matches he has been involved in, he still insisted, "I don't think I'm playing well enough to win the tournament yet."

Jimmy White (Eng) 8-9 Mark J Williams (Wal)

Scores: 73-51 (68), 36-73, 75-54, 65-34, 28-66, 70-54 (50 White), 20-61, 5-92 (92), 109-7 (59), 59-47 (51), 75-1 (75), 9-89 (89), 47-57, 72-65 (57 White, White won on respotted black), 13-69, 23-70 (65), 53-62
In terms of break-building, the match was low in quality, with no century break from either and also many unforced errors.
Mark Williams' nerve held out as he cleared from yellow to pink to beat Jimmy White in the decider. But he admitted afterwards, "I honestly don't know how I'm still in it. I never played well in the first half and only half decent in the second. Jimmy should have finished me off."
"I can't play any worse than I did in the first eight frames and while neither of us played particularly well, I was worse than Jimmy. But I stuck in and tried to keep going when I could so easily have given up."
"It is nice to win three matches that I didn't play good. I need to prove a lot to win my next match."
White once again lost a game from his pocket, which many fans would recall to their mind. The disappointed six times world runner-up said: "I missed many easy balls, which is very frustrated."

Darren Morgan (Wal) 9-7 Drew Henry (Sco)

Scores: 81-6 (54), 92-15 (92), 78-0 (78), 74-26, 40-66, 20-88 (88), 2-63, 0-74, 70-26, 68-47, 77-75 (70 Morgan), 69-55 (55 Morgan), 76-10 (72), 19-70 (65), 12-77 (58), 74-9
World no. 23 Darren Morgan qualified for his first quarter-final in eight months. The 33 year old Welshman from Cwmfelinfach said, "When I lost, through sheer stupidity, the 11th frame on the black after Drew had obtained the snooker he needed on the pink, it could have been a massive turning point. Fortunately I was able to keep myself together".
Morgan's next challenge is against compatriot Mark J Williams.

Ken Doherty (Ire) 8-9 Dave Harold (Eng)

Scores: 19-70, 78-40, 104-4 (100), 55-25, 32-69, 80-4 (75), 77-48, 16-62, 18-87 (75), 69-76 (respotted black), 5-69 (69), 36-67, 87-8, 68-1, 0-104 (98), 73-0 (73), 37-74
Dave Harold produced a typically gritty performance to become the first player to reach the quarter finals. World No.17 inflicted another disappointing result on 1997 World Champion Ken Doherty at the BIC tonight.
In a six hour topsy-turvy match, Harold, who recovered from an early 3-1, 5-3 deficit, countered everything the Dubliner could throw at him.
Harold was delighted with his victory saying, "It's about time I won a match by the odd frame, I've lost so many. I am really pleased with my performance. I thought Ken played really well and the game ebbed and flowed. From 7-7 there wasn't a ball missed."
Now having a couple of days break, he added "I might go up and watch Stoke if it's not too far. I've had a great start to the season and I showed my true battling qualities and I can't wait for the next one."

Paul Wykes (Eng) 3-9 Stephen Hendry (Sco)

Scores: 67-59 (50 Hendry), 1-94 (81), 21-68, 32-113 (71), 0-147 (147), 12-74 (70), 83-42 (83),21-72, 83-0 (83), 0-109 (109), 2-69 (67), 0-79 (79)
Stephen Hendry who lost the opening frame of the second half, took only 37 minutes to win the last three and go through to the quarter-finals for the 11th time.
"My concentration was much better than it was in the first two matches but it still needs to improve if I'm going to win the championship again."
"The good thing is that my game has improved with each match. It was also nice to get this one over quickly."
"I had to guard against Paul picking up a couple of frames early on, it can make you a bit nervy. But once the 147 went in, I was able to get on with winning. If a break like that doesn't turn you on, nothing will."
Eagle eyed Stephen Hendry potted another maximum break in the fifth frame of his last 16 match. It was the world champion's seventh 147 in major competition and the first time anyone has made two maximums in the same season.
Hendry recorded his first in the final of the British Open at Plymouth in September and that was another record as it was the first time a 147 had been put together in the last round of a ranking tournament.
"Even though I've now made seven, it still gives me the same sort of buzz each time. The difference is that having made as many as this, they don't become quite as hard as the first one," said Hendry who lead Bournemouth's Wykes 6-2 at halfway.
The world No.2, whose first competitive maximum was made in Barry Hearn's Matchroom League seven years ago, has now compiled four in ranking events of which two have been in the UK championship.
Hendry's latest maximum and the one at Plymouth 64 days earlier, earned him the keys to another Vauxhall Vectra saloon.
It meant that Hendry, six time World and five times UK champion, has won five cars at the match table. The first was a Skoda and the others a Bentley Continental, Ferrari Spider and now two Vauxhall's.
Snooker's most recent 147 was the fifth this season, 10th this year, 14th in front of the TV cameras and No.34 on the all time list of maximum breaks.
Hendry now faces Dave Harold for a place in the semi-finals having lost four of the nine matches the two have been involved in. But the only time Hendry has played Harold over a distance of frames was at the 1994 Embassy world championship.
Hendry, despite fracturing a small bone in his arm when he slipped over in his hotel bathroom when leading 7-1 overnight, went on to win that battle 13-2.

John Higgins (Sco)	9-4	Steve Davis (Eng)
Scores: 85-5, 136-0 (136), 137-0 (137), 9-49, 66-41, 88-0 (88), 76-0 (76), 81-40, 60-51, 47-83, 29-68, 16-87 (87), 99-38 (93) Defending champion John Higgins was in sizzling form as he demolished the challenge of Steve Davis. Higgins knocked in back-to-back breaks of 136 and 137 on frame 2 and 3. And in the first four frames, there was also one stage that Davis only potted in 4 balls compared to 99 from Higgins. Though six times world champion Davis briefly rallied, Higgins was too strong for him to come back.

Lee Walker (Wal)	4-9	Michael Holt (Eng)
Scores: 36-70, 81-34, 90-1 (52), 76-29, 53-57, 61-16, 47-76, 0-101 (101), 4-108, 15-64, 17-67 (67), 36-45, 29-69

Matthew Stevens (Wal)	9-4	Joe Swail (NI)
Scores: 91-17, 22-82 (59), 26-86 (72), 81-2 (53), 130-0 (130), 64-6 (62), 113-1 (75), 69-5 (54), 9-69, 56-60, 72-37 (60), 99-33 (71), 78-1

Anthony Hamilton (Eng)	1-9	Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng)
Scores: 56-67, 7-78 (67), 20-110 (110), 0-126 (126), 1-85 (85), 77-0 (77), 0-86 (86), 0-135 (135), 1-120 (73), 15-103 (66) Anthony Hamilton queried how well Ronnie O'Sullivan was playing after he was routed 9-1 in the last 16. Hamilton with a ring side view following a 106 minutes mauling in the second fastest best of 17 frames victory of all time, totalled only 24 points in seven of the frames and took a spectator's role as O'Sullivan compiled decent breaks. Admitting O'Sullivan was "super confident" he added the rider, "I'm not sure how well Ronnie is playing because he wasn't put under any pressure. He will have to dig deeper from now on so we will see then just how good his form is". The world number 4, twice UK champion said: "I never expected to beat Anthony by this score and really it's a bit of a freak result." "But I got in early on and that helped me to relax much quicker. I will be hard to beat, make no mistake about that." Though O'Sullivan who has so far won 27 frames and conceded only six in the three matches he has been involved in, he still insisted, "I don't think I'm playing well enough to win the tournament yet."

Jimmy White (Eng)	8-9	Mark J Williams (Wal)
Scores: 73-51 (68), 36-73, 75-54, 65-34, 28-66, 70-54 (50 White), 20-61, 5-92 (92), 109-7 (59), 59-47 (51), 75-1 (75), 9-89 (89), 47-57, 72-65 (57 White, White won on respotted black), 13-69, 23-70 (65), 53-62 In terms of break-building, the match was low in quality, with no century break from either and also many unforced errors. Mark Williams' nerve held out as he cleared from yellow to pink to beat Jimmy White in the decider. But he admitted afterwards, "I honestly don't know how I'm still in it. I never played well in the first half and only half decent in the second. Jimmy should have finished me off." "I can't play any worse than I did in the first eight frames and while neither of us played particularly well, I was worse than Jimmy. But I stuck in and tried to keep going when I could so easily have given up." "It is nice to win three matches that I didn't play good. I need to prove a lot to win my next match." White once again lost a game from his pocket, which many fans would recall to their mind. The disappointed six times world runner-up said: "I missed many easy balls, which is very frustrated."

Darren Morgan (Wal)	9-7	Drew Henry (Sco)
Scores: 81-6 (54), 92-15 (92), 78-0 (78), 74-26, 40-66, 20-88 (88), 2-63, 0-74, 70-26, 68-47, 77-75 (70 Morgan), 69-55 (55 Morgan), 76-10 (72), 19-70 (65), 12-77 (58), 74-9 World no. 23 Darren Morgan qualified for his first quarter-final in eight months. The 33 year old Welshman from Cwmfelinfach said, "When I lost, through sheer stupidity, the 11th frame on the black after Drew had obtained the snooker he needed on the pink, it could have been a massive turning point. Fortunately I was able to keep myself together". Morgan's next challenge is against compatriot Mark J Williams.

Ken Doherty (Ire)	8-9	Dave Harold (Eng)
Scores: 19-70, 78-40, 104-4 (100), 55-25, 32-69, 80-4 (75), 77-48, 16-62, 18-87 (75), 69-76 (respotted black), 5-69 (69), 36-67, 87-8, 68-1, 0-104 (98), 73-0 (73), 37-74 Dave Harold produced a typically gritty performance to become the first player to reach the quarter finals. World No.17 inflicted another disappointing result on 1997 World Champion Ken Doherty at the BIC tonight. In a six hour topsy-turvy match, Harold, who recovered from an early 3-1, 5-3 deficit, countered everything the Dubliner could throw at him. Harold was delighted with his victory saying, "It's about time I won a match by the odd frame, I've lost so many. I am really pleased with my performance. I thought Ken played really well and the game ebbed and flowed. From 7-7 there wasn't a ball missed." Now having a couple of days break, he added "I might go up and watch Stoke if it's not too far. I've had a great start to the season and I showed my true battling qualities and I can't wait for the next one."

Paul Wykes (Eng)	3-9	Stephen Hendry (Sco)
Scores: 67-59 (50 Hendry), 1-94 (81), 21-68, 32-113 (71), 0-147 (147), 12-74 (70), 83-42 (83),21-72, 83-0 (83), 0-109 (109), 2-69 (67), 0-79 (79) Stephen Hendry who lost the opening frame of the second half, took only 37 minutes to win the last three and go through to the quarter-finals for the 11th time. "My concentration was much better than it was in the first two matches but it still needs to improve if I'm going to win the championship again." "The good thing is that my game has improved with each match. It was also nice to get this one over quickly." "I had to guard against Paul picking up a couple of frames early on, it can make you a bit nervy. But once the 147 went in, I was able to get on with winning. If a break like that doesn't turn you on, nothing will." Eagle eyed Stephen Hendry potted another maximum break in the fifth frame of his last 16 match. It was the world champion's seventh 147 in major competition and the first time anyone has made two maximums in the same season. Hendry recorded his first in the final of the British Open at Plymouth in September and that was another record as it was the first time a 147 had been put together in the last round of a ranking tournament. "Even though I've now made seven, it still gives me the same sort of buzz each time. The difference is that having made as many as this, they don't become quite as hard as the first one," said Hendry who lead Bournemouth's Wykes 6-2 at halfway. The world No.2, whose first competitive maximum was made in Barry Hearn's Matchroom League seven years ago, has now compiled four in ranking events of which two have been in the UK championship. Hendry's latest maximum and the one at Plymouth 64 days earlier, earned him the keys to another Vauxhall Vectra saloon. It meant that Hendry, six time World and five times UK champion, has won five cars at the match table. The first was a Skoda and the others a Bentley Continental, Ferrari Spider and now two Vauxhall's. Snooker's most recent 147 was the fifth this season, 10th this year, 14th in front of the TV cameras and No.34 on the all time list of maximum breaks. Hendry now faces Dave Harold for a place in the semi-finals having lost four of the nine matches the two have been involved in. But the only time Hendry has played Harold over a distance of frames was at the 1994 Embassy world championship. Hendry, despite fracturing a small bone in his arm when he slipped over in his hotel bathroom when leading 7-1 overnight, went on to win that battle 13-2.

QUARTER FINALS

John Higgins (Sco) 9-6 Michael Holt (Eng)

Scores: 60-59, 29-91 (85), 38-66 (58), 0-124 (69, 54), 64-17 (64), 68-17 (58), 59-45, 54-64, 45-85 (54), 90-0 (90), 73-0 (72), 0-131 (104), 140-0 (140), 97-8 (76), 89-13
John Higgins ended the run of world no.74 Michael Holt and moved to within two wins of retaining his title.
Higgins looked out of sorts as he stands at 4-4 in the first session. Soon after Nottingham boy put a break of 104 to draw level 6-6 at the final interval, things seems to spur Higgins to the extra gear he needed and stroked in a total clearance of 140 to win three frames in a row and wrapped up the match at 9-6.
The world No.1 who faces Stevens for a place in the final said, "I played like a champion should play. To win this one, I had to."
"Michael is at the stage where Matthew was a year ago and not far off a big break through. He is certainly one to watch."
"Obviously I was the favourite to beat him considering he is at No.74 on the rankings but that was a tough old match and I'm delighted to have come through it."
"I don't think either of us missed a ball in the first four frames tonight. I did at 8-6 and I think that was because the pressure started to get to me just a little bit. Still, this was a great win."
Higgins who beat Stevens 10-6 in last year's final, added, "I couldn't fault my form today but I will need to play like this right through my semi-final with Matthew really on top of his form."
"He is now a very confident player compared to a year ago when he probably lacked the confidence to win a big one. "
The Scot last played Stevens in the Regal Masters final at Motherwell two months ago, the Welshman banking the first prize following a surprise 9-7 victory.

Matthew Stevens (Wal) 9-3 Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng)

Scores: 78-53 (67, 53), 1-100 (62), 74-41 (62), 67-45 (61), 0-76 (52), 103-13 (63), 2-67, 66-56, 66-35 (50), 77-18 (61), 138-0 (138), 93-0 (61)
Last year's runner-up Matthew Stevens roared through to his third consecutive semi finals as the rocket failed to leave the launch pad. Few players have taken five frames in a row off Ronnie but Matthew Stevens has done just that.
Stevens, the world No.9 who defeated O'Sullivan at the same stage of the Regal Masters six weeks ago, led 5-3 overnight. He then completed four decent breaks in the second session without reply to clinch the victory 9-3.
"Playing Ronnie is like a practice match. I like to play as quickly as he does and this helped me to relax, I wasn't a bit nervous."
"To be fair, Ronnie missed a few balls in the first session which is very good for me. It is pleased to beat him in that score."
"I can't be compared just yet to the likes of Ronnie and the rest of the top four as I haven't won the number of titles they have but I've beaten them all and I'm not in awe of anyone."
O'Sullivan who didn't pot a ball in the last two frames said, "he is a very good safty game player and has put me a lot of troubles."
"Because this is a big event, I am very disappointed of my performance."
"But I have to keep positive about all this which isn't easy when you haven't played well. But I'm experienced enough to know there is no point worrying about it."

Mark J Williams (Wal) 9-1 Darren Morgan (Wal)

Scores: 78-42 (71), 79-42 (72), 55-49, 100-0 (59), 53-35, 68-0 (68), 109-0 (109), 74-16 (53), 35-76, 54-42
In the all-Welsh battle, current Welsh number one Mark Williams beat former Welsh number one Darren Morgan in emphatic style with a 9-1 victory.
The match was all over after the first session when Williams took all eight frames. Morgan could only avoid a whitewash by winning the first of the second session.
The only unpredictable aspect of the evening session being whether Williams' bowtie would fall off and foul a ball. Williams contrived to play more than half a frame without noticing that the offending article was dangling loose from his shirt. "I didn't notice it", he said.
Williams moves into a semi final encounter against Stephen Hendry in far more upbeat mood than he had displayed so far in the event. "I played quite well today, and probably my best performance of the season", said the happy Welshman.
"I hope I can play like that against Stephen, I will certainly need to. I'll look forward to it, we always have good games. If I can keep playing like this, I'll have every chance. I played a bit more relaxed and a bit quicker and I stopped looking for problems that weren't there."
The laid back Welsh star went on to outline his philosophy to snooker and his lifestyle, "I enjoy my practice. I get over to the club for 5-6 hours a day and then I look forward to the tournaments. I'll play from about 11-1 and have a bit of lunch, then play through until about 5pm."
"It's nice to do something you really enjoy as a living. Everything is sweet, but it would be really brilliant to lift the trophy. But I've been getting to semis and finals, so I'm pretty consistent."

Dave Harold (Eng) 5-9 Stephen Hendry (Sco)

Scores: 77-4 (77), 46-75, 78-29, 0-97 (96), 13-99 (72), 0-116 (116), 1-97 (92), 87-0, 72-0, 6-64, 71-39 (70), 67-68 (51 Harold), 0-66, 54-68
Stephen Hendry, reached his 10th UK semi-final when he won the last three frames to complete a 9-5 victory over Dave Harold.
Hendry recorded breaks of 116, 96, 92 and 72. The century was his 18th of the season and took him to win nine of a career total of 500.
Victory was a big relief for Hendry said: "Dave is a bogey player for me, I've lost to him a lot of times. To be honest I wasn't looking forward to the match, so I just had to knuckle down. He makes it very tough, so it was a good win for me."
The turning point of the match came when the Stoke potter's challenge which posed a serious threat with Hendry leading 6-5, lost momentum when he missed an easy brown in frame 12. It left the Scot with a brown to pink clearance and a lead of two.
"The 12th frame was a big one to get but I got the job done quickly at the second session, which was nice", added Hendry who needs to win one more UK title to equal Steve Davis' record of six, "Still there is room for improvement."
Harold, who had beaten 1997 World Champion Ken Doherty to reach this stage said: "I could easily have been 3-1 or 4-0 up. You just can't chuck frames away against Stephen. It's disappointing for me as it was my worst performance since I've been down here. If I'd played anything like as well as I did against Ken, I'd have won."
Harold, not a player to be down for long immediately started looking ahead to the his next major challenge, The China Open, where he will play Mark Williams. "I've just got to dust myself down and get ready for China."

John Higgins (Sco)	9-6	Michael Holt (Eng)
Scores: 60-59, 29-91 (85), 38-66 (58), 0-124 (69, 54), 64-17 (64), 68-17 (58), 59-45, 54-64, 45-85 (54), 90-0 (90), 73-0 (72), 0-131 (104), 140-0 (140), 97-8 (76), 89-13 John Higgins ended the run of world no.74 Michael Holt and moved to within two wins of retaining his title. Higgins looked out of sorts as he stands at 4-4 in the first session. Soon after Nottingham boy put a break of 104 to draw level 6-6 at the final interval, things seems to spur Higgins to the extra gear he needed and stroked in a total clearance of 140 to win three frames in a row and wrapped up the match at 9-6. The world No.1 who faces Stevens for a place in the final said, "I played like a champion should play. To win this one, I had to." "Michael is at the stage where Matthew was a year ago and not far off a big break through. He is certainly one to watch." "Obviously I was the favourite to beat him considering he is at No.74 on the rankings but that was a tough old match and I'm delighted to have come through it." "I don't think either of us missed a ball in the first four frames tonight. I did at 8-6 and I think that was because the pressure started to get to me just a little bit. Still, this was a great win." Higgins who beat Stevens 10-6 in last year's final, added, "I couldn't fault my form today but I will need to play like this right through my semi-final with Matthew really on top of his form." "He is now a very confident player compared to a year ago when he probably lacked the confidence to win a big one. " The Scot last played Stevens in the Regal Masters final at Motherwell two months ago, the Welshman banking the first prize following a surprise 9-7 victory.

Matthew Stevens (Wal)	9-3	Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng)
Scores: 78-53 (67, 53), 1-100 (62), 74-41 (62), 67-45 (61), 0-76 (52), 103-13 (63), 2-67, 66-56, 66-35 (50), 77-18 (61), 138-0 (138), 93-0 (61) Last year's runner-up Matthew Stevens roared through to his third consecutive semi finals as the rocket failed to leave the launch pad. Few players have taken five frames in a row off Ronnie but Matthew Stevens has done just that. Stevens, the world No.9 who defeated O'Sullivan at the same stage of the Regal Masters six weeks ago, led 5-3 overnight. He then completed four decent breaks in the second session without reply to clinch the victory 9-3. "Playing Ronnie is like a practice match. I like to play as quickly as he does and this helped me to relax, I wasn't a bit nervous." "To be fair, Ronnie missed a few balls in the first session which is very good for me. It is pleased to beat him in that score." "I can't be compared just yet to the likes of Ronnie and the rest of the top four as I haven't won the number of titles they have but I've beaten them all and I'm not in awe of anyone." O'Sullivan who didn't pot a ball in the last two frames said, "he is a very good safty game player and has put me a lot of troubles." "Because this is a big event, I am very disappointed of my performance." "But I have to keep positive about all this which isn't easy when you haven't played well. But I'm experienced enough to know there is no point worrying about it."

Mark J Williams (Wal)	9-1	Darren Morgan (Wal)
Scores: 78-42 (71), 79-42 (72), 55-49, 100-0 (59), 53-35, 68-0 (68), 109-0 (109), 74-16 (53), 35-76, 54-42 In the all-Welsh battle, current Welsh number one Mark Williams beat former Welsh number one Darren Morgan in emphatic style with a 9-1 victory. The match was all over after the first session when Williams took all eight frames. Morgan could only avoid a whitewash by winning the first of the second session. The only unpredictable aspect of the evening session being whether Williams' bowtie would fall off and foul a ball. Williams contrived to play more than half a frame without noticing that the offending article was dangling loose from his shirt. "I didn't notice it", he said. Williams moves into a semi final encounter against Stephen Hendry in far more upbeat mood than he had displayed so far in the event. "I played quite well today, and probably my best performance of the season", said the happy Welshman. "I hope I can play like that against Stephen, I will certainly need to. I'll look forward to it, we always have good games. If I can keep playing like this, I'll have every chance. I played a bit more relaxed and a bit quicker and I stopped looking for problems that weren't there." The laid back Welsh star went on to outline his philosophy to snooker and his lifestyle, "I enjoy my practice. I get over to the club for 5-6 hours a day and then I look forward to the tournaments. I'll play from about 11-1 and have a bit of lunch, then play through until about 5pm." "It's nice to do something you really enjoy as a living. Everything is sweet, but it would be really brilliant to lift the trophy. But I've been getting to semis and finals, so I'm pretty consistent."

Dave Harold (Eng)	5-9	Stephen Hendry (Sco)
Scores: 77-4 (77), 46-75, 78-29, 0-97 (96), 13-99 (72), 0-116 (116), 1-97 (92), 87-0, 72-0, 6-64, 71-39 (70), 67-68 (51 Harold), 0-66, 54-68 Stephen Hendry, reached his 10th UK semi-final when he won the last three frames to complete a 9-5 victory over Dave Harold. Hendry recorded breaks of 116, 96, 92 and 72. The century was his 18th of the season and took him to win nine of a career total of 500. Victory was a big relief for Hendry said: "Dave is a bogey player for me, I've lost to him a lot of times. To be honest I wasn't looking forward to the match, so I just had to knuckle down. He makes it very tough, so it was a good win for me." The turning point of the match came when the Stoke potter's challenge which posed a serious threat with Hendry leading 6-5, lost momentum when he missed an easy brown in frame 12. It left the Scot with a brown to pink clearance and a lead of two. "The 12th frame was a big one to get but I got the job done quickly at the second session, which was nice", added Hendry who needs to win one more UK title to equal Steve Davis' record of six, "Still there is room for improvement." Harold, who had beaten 1997 World Champion Ken Doherty to reach this stage said: "I could easily have been 3-1 or 4-0 up. You just can't chuck frames away against Stephen. It's disappointing for me as it was my worst performance since I've been down here. If I'd played anything like as well as I did against Ken, I'd have won." Harold, not a player to be down for long immediately started looking ahead to the his next major challenge, The China Open, where he will play Mark Williams. "I've just got to dust myself down and get ready for China."

SEMI FINALS

John Higgins (Sco) 7-9 Matthew Stevens (Wal)

Scores: 70-58, 76-9, 46-66, 13-53, 90-21 (57), 76-4 (76), 41-66, 60-48, 68-17 (68), 0-76 (76), 0-73 (60), 61-62 (61 Higgins), 63-36, 14-71 (55), 49-77, 0-93 (93)
Holder John Higgins lost his UK title on losing 9-7 to Welshman Matthew Stevens who won six of the last seven frames to go through to the final.
Stevens, the 22 year old world No.9, completed his second victory of the season over Higgins having beaten the Scot 9-7 to win the Regal Masters title in Motherwell two months ago.
But it was also revenge for the Welshman from Carmarthen who lost 10-6 to Higgins in last year's UK final.
A semi-final which could have gone either way, eventually fell to Stevens when Higgins missed the blue clearing up in the 15th frame.
"I should have squared things but messed up position from brown to blue," said the world No.1 who didn't pot a ball in the last frame as Stevens wrapped up victory with a break of 93, the highest of the match.
"I was well pleased to finish off like I did. John is a hard player to beat even when he isn't playing well which was the case today," said Stevens.
"I played my best in the last three frames and it's nice to know I can cope under pressure in a match like this. It was certainly a good performance to win this one even though neither of us played very well in the first half."
"The table was a bit slow and felt damp but I don't know why. Still conditions were much better afterwards. I enjoyed the second half much more, I produced my form at the right time."
Higgins who led 2-0 and 6-3 said, "I was never in control of the match and the first eight frames were terrible. I was very lucky to lead 5-3 though I felt OK at 6-3."
"All credit to Matthew, he played good snooker though a couple of shots I missed were pathetic. One was in the 12th frame and the other in the last but one. It was probably the difference between winning and losing."
"I can't say I didn't have my chances, because I did though it wasn't the great match it promised to be. Snooker is like that."
Higgins who conceded frame eight when 40 points behind and 59 still available, explained, "To be honest I was fed up with what was happening and anyway I'd left Matthew in."
Matthew now waiting to play with the winner between Mark Williams and Stephen Hendry in the other semi-final match.

Mark J Williams (Wal) 9-6 Stephen Hendry (Sco)

Scores: 1-80 (80), 40-91 (64), 92-6 (65), 7-124 (120), 18-65, 83-0 (77), 92-0 (92), 98-14 (72), 14-78, 77-2 (53), 22-76 (68), 61-46, 71-37, 75-12 (75), 89-16 (89)
Mark J Williams claimed a notable double over Stephen Hendry as he beat the Scot 9-6 to reach the final and capture the top of the provisional world rankings list from Hendry.
He now joined his friend and countryman Matthew Stevens in the first all-Welsh ranking event final since Doug Mountjoy beat Wayne Jones 13-11 in the 1989 Mercantile Credit Classic.
"Whoever wins, at least a Welshman will be taking the trophy back home. If I have to lose to someone, I would prefer it to be Matthew. He's beaten me a couple of time. We'll both be trying our best. Whoever wins, the other will have done well to get this far. We are the best of friends, and play a lot of golf together," said the new world number one.
Hendry was in control for most of the match and led 4-1 at one stage but when Williams moved ahead for the first time at 7-6 he quickly wrapped up victory with breaks of 75 and 89.
Already the winner of six ranking events and beaten in two finals, Williams said: "At 3-1 down, I hadn't done much wrong. I felt good and handled the pressure quite well. In the end I did three good breaks to win."
"Stephen had his chances and didn't take them. I was chasing the match for a long time but I always felt if I could get in front, I would win."
"The opportunity came in the 12th frame which Stephen should have won to lead 7-5. Instead I was able to draw level through clearing the colours. After that I just pulled clear."
The harsh self-criticism from Hendry, "I should have gone 7-5 up, it knocked me sideways. I missed chance after chance, it was criminal. If that happens at this level, you are out."
"All through the week here I have played in dribs and drabs. I was unable to sustain any form for a whole match," added the Scot who made the highest break of the match with 120.

John Higgins (Sco)	7-9	Matthew Stevens (Wal)
Scores: 70-58, 76-9, 46-66, 13-53, 90-21 (57), 76-4 (76), 41-66, 60-48, 68-17 (68), 0-76 (76), 0-73 (60), 61-62 (61 Higgins), 63-36, 14-71 (55), 49-77, 0-93 (93) Holder John Higgins lost his UK title on losing 9-7 to Welshman Matthew Stevens who won six of the last seven frames to go through to the final. Stevens, the 22 year old world No.9, completed his second victory of the season over Higgins having beaten the Scot 9-7 to win the Regal Masters title in Motherwell two months ago. But it was also revenge for the Welshman from Carmarthen who lost 10-6 to Higgins in last year's UK final. A semi-final which could have gone either way, eventually fell to Stevens when Higgins missed the blue clearing up in the 15th frame. "I should have squared things but messed up position from brown to blue," said the world No.1 who didn't pot a ball in the last frame as Stevens wrapped up victory with a break of 93, the highest of the match. "I was well pleased to finish off like I did. John is a hard player to beat even when he isn't playing well which was the case today," said Stevens. "I played my best in the last three frames and it's nice to know I can cope under pressure in a match like this. It was certainly a good performance to win this one even though neither of us played very well in the first half." "The table was a bit slow and felt damp but I don't know why. Still conditions were much better afterwards. I enjoyed the second half much more, I produced my form at the right time." Higgins who led 2-0 and 6-3 said, "I was never in control of the match and the first eight frames were terrible. I was very lucky to lead 5-3 though I felt OK at 6-3." "All credit to Matthew, he played good snooker though a couple of shots I missed were pathetic. One was in the 12th frame and the other in the last but one. It was probably the difference between winning and losing." "I can't say I didn't have my chances, because I did though it wasn't the great match it promised to be. Snooker is like that." Higgins who conceded frame eight when 40 points behind and 59 still available, explained, "To be honest I was fed up with what was happening and anyway I'd left Matthew in." Matthew now waiting to play with the winner between Mark Williams and Stephen Hendry in the other semi-final match.

Mark J Williams (Wal)	9-6	Stephen Hendry (Sco)
Scores: 1-80 (80), 40-91 (64), 92-6 (65), 7-124 (120), 18-65, 83-0 (77), 92-0 (92), 98-14 (72), 14-78, 77-2 (53), 22-76 (68), 61-46, 71-37, 75-12 (75), 89-16 (89) Mark J Williams claimed a notable double over Stephen Hendry as he beat the Scot 9-6 to reach the final and capture the top of the provisional world rankings list from Hendry. He now joined his friend and countryman Matthew Stevens in the first all-Welsh ranking event final since Doug Mountjoy beat Wayne Jones 13-11 in the 1989 Mercantile Credit Classic. "Whoever wins, at least a Welshman will be taking the trophy back home. If I have to lose to someone, I would prefer it to be Matthew. He's beaten me a couple of time. We'll both be trying our best. Whoever wins, the other will have done well to get this far. We are the best of friends, and play a lot of golf together," said the new world number one. Hendry was in control for most of the match and led 4-1 at one stage but when Williams moved ahead for the first time at 7-6 he quickly wrapped up victory with breaks of 75 and 89. Already the winner of six ranking events and beaten in two finals, Williams said: "At 3-1 down, I hadn't done much wrong. I felt good and handled the pressure quite well. In the end I did three good breaks to win." "Stephen had his chances and didn't take them. I was chasing the match for a long time but I always felt if I could get in front, I would win." "The opportunity came in the 12th frame which Stephen should have won to lead 7-5. Instead I was able to draw level through clearing the colours. After that I just pulled clear." The harsh self-criticism from Hendry, "I should have gone 7-5 up, it knocked me sideways. I missed chance after chance, it was criminal. If that happens at this level, you are out." "All through the week here I have played in dribs and drabs. I was unable to sustain any form for a whole match," added the Scot who made the highest break of the match with 120.

FINAL

Matthew Stevens (Wal) 8-10 Mark J Williams (Wal)

Scores: 67-24, 81-0 (81), 15-72 (60), 4-67, 46-71 (65), 8-76, 59-71 (58 Williams), 32-65, 68-0 (60), 73-27, 63-47, 110-19 (110), 63-67 (50 Stevens), 21-56, 22-62, 80-25 (76), 71-0 (71), 51-54 (50)
Mark Williams, narrowly defeated in last month's Grand Prix final, made amends in Bournemouth tonight taking his first UK Championship and seventh world ranking title with a 10-8 defeat of countryman Matthew Stevens.
Having led 6-3 at the end of the afternoon session, Williams had to sit out a Stevens revival, as the 22 year old Carmarthen man levelled at 6-6.
Stevens compiled the only century of the match, 110 to complete his recovery, but Williams clinched the next after laying a virtually impossible snooker on the last red, from which Stevens hit the black. Williams stretched his lead to 8-6, winning a scrappy frame and went to 9-6 with a run of 46.
Stevens refused to lie down, fighting back with breaks of 76 and 71, but with frame 18 at his mercy, he missed a straightforward black, leaving Williams the chance for a colours clearance and the title.
The final never reached the anticipated heights of fluent break building, but contained all the oohs and aahs of missed pots and close frames.
It was Stevens's second near-miss in the championship after losing to Higgins 12 months ago. "I expected to get the black but took my eye off it," he confessed. "I missed too many balls that came back to haunt me. But maybe I'll be back next year to make it third time lucky."
"I'm disappointed, but if I had to lose, I'm glad the trophy is going home to Wales. I am gutted, it was a struggle all the way through."
With his highest break of 65, Williams said: "Unfortunately, the final didn't really take off. We were scrambling for points and neither of us really found any fluency. But I won a lot of the scrappy frames, which was satisfying."
"Even so, Matthew came back at me well from 9-6 down and looked as though he would take it all the way until he missed the black."
"In fact, I was getting ready for 9-9," admitted Williams. "I was beginning to feel I might lose the match. Thoughts of losing to John Higgins in the Grand Prix final when I had been 6-2 up kept coming into my mind."
Williams' win moves him to the head of the World Provisional Rankings, a crown which sits uneasily on his head.
"It's a dream to be number one in the sport you choose. I'd love to be there at the end of the season, but it's going to be very tough."
"It's between me, Hendry and Higgins and I'm probably the least favourite. Personally I still think Stephen Hendry is the best player in the world today. I admire what he's done. He's the one who John and I will have to beat."
Asked whether the match will affect his close friendship with Matthew Stevens, Mark said "I'll have a couple of days off now, but Matthew and I will be back practicing together on Thursday and Friday, getting ready for China. We did an exhibition together a couple of weeks ago for charity and then had a night out and we play golf together."
"Any ranking win is a great win, but the UK, with the longer matches is one of the best of all. I am over the moon", said the happy winner.
Both players are off to Shanghai in 10 days' time for the final stages of the China International.

Matthew Stevens (Wal)	8-10	Mark J Williams (Wal)
Scores: 67-24, 81-0 (81), 15-72 (60), 4-67, 46-71 (65), 8-76, 59-71 (58 Williams), 32-65, 68-0 (60), 73-27, 63-47, 110-19 (110), 63-67 (50 Stevens), 21-56, 22-62, 80-25 (76), 71-0 (71), 51-54 (50) Mark Williams, narrowly defeated in last month's Grand Prix final, made amends in Bournemouth tonight taking his first UK Championship and seventh world ranking title with a 10-8 defeat of countryman Matthew Stevens. Having led 6-3 at the end of the afternoon session, Williams had to sit out a Stevens revival, as the 22 year old Carmarthen man levelled at 6-6. Stevens compiled the only century of the match, 110 to complete his recovery, but Williams clinched the next after laying a virtually impossible snooker on the last red, from which Stevens hit the black. Williams stretched his lead to 8-6, winning a scrappy frame and went to 9-6 with a run of 46. Stevens refused to lie down, fighting back with breaks of 76 and 71, but with frame 18 at his mercy, he missed a straightforward black, leaving Williams the chance for a colours clearance and the title. The final never reached the anticipated heights of fluent break building, but contained all the oohs and aahs of missed pots and close frames. It was Stevens's second near-miss in the championship after losing to Higgins 12 months ago. "I expected to get the black but took my eye off it," he confessed. "I missed too many balls that came back to haunt me. But maybe I'll be back next year to make it third time lucky." "I'm disappointed, but if I had to lose, I'm glad the trophy is going home to Wales. I am gutted, it was a struggle all the way through." With his highest break of 65, Williams said: "Unfortunately, the final didn't really take off. We were scrambling for points and neither of us really found any fluency. But I won a lot of the scrappy frames, which was satisfying." "Even so, Matthew came back at me well from 9-6 down and looked as though he would take it all the way until he missed the black." "In fact, I was getting ready for 9-9," admitted Williams. "I was beginning to feel I might lose the match. Thoughts of losing to John Higgins in the Grand Prix final when I had been 6-2 up kept coming into my mind." Williams' win moves him to the head of the World Provisional Rankings, a crown which sits uneasily on his head. "It's a dream to be number one in the sport you choose. I'd love to be there at the end of the season, but it's going to be very tough." "It's between me, Hendry and Higgins and I'm probably the least favourite. Personally I still think Stephen Hendry is the best player in the world today. I admire what he's done. He's the one who John and I will have to beat." Asked whether the match will affect his close friendship with Matthew Stevens, Mark said "I'll have a couple of days off now, but Matthew and I will be back practicing together on Thursday and Friday, getting ready for China. We did an exhibition together a couple of weeks ago for charity and then had a night out and we play golf together." "Any ranking win is a great win, but the UK, with the longer matches is one of the best of all. I am over the moon", said the happy winner. Both players are off to Shanghai in 10 days' time for the final stages of the China International.

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