2015 World Championships - Discussion Thread

[CaledonianCraig]

First topic message reminder :

So another world championship at The Crucible is upon us. Who will emerge victorious and be crowned the world champion? For me a lot depends on the early rounds. Players who will get better as the tournament goes on I feel will be the likes of Neil Robertson, Mark Selby and John Higgins so them avoiding an early exit will put them right in contention. Obviously, Ronnie O'Sullivan will be one of the favourites and his chances will hinge on avoiding top notch match play players ie Mark Selby and John Higgins in the latter stages. Ronnie is at his best in matches against expansive shot players who play an open game and whose misses leave chances. This year it is wide open I think so here is hoping we have a great fortnight of snooker. Enjoy and start discussing here when the matches get under way........

[CaledonianCraig]

This match is looking close to being all over - Murphy leads 9-2 now.

[CaledonianCraig]

Murphy in again after a Hawkins mistake and is closing in on a 10-2 lead prior to the mid-session interval.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Feel free to shoot me down in flames but what would Bingham in the final do for the image of snooker? I follow it and know he is a cracking player, but let's be honest, if someone with a passing interest tuned in, it could re-inforce the negative stereotypes of it not being a real sport as you can be out of shape and make the world final. Also, he is a pretty charisma free zone whilst playing.

Players like O'Sullivan, Robertson, Trump are probably not everyone's cup of tea, but they do attract new fans, and that is something that snooker seems to badly need.

If fans are put off by what Stuart looks like or how he plays then they need a firm slap. Snooker is about skill not about what you look like

Plus if Ronnie and Trump were so popular then why is snooker still behind most other sports?

[VTR]

Feel free to shoot me down in flames but what would Bingham in the final do for the image of snooker? I follow it and know he is a cracking player, but let's be honest, if someone with a passing interest tuned in, it could re-inforce the negative stereotypes of it not being a real sport as you can be out of shape and make the world final. Also, he is a pretty charisma free zone whilst playing.

Players like O'Sullivan, Robertson, Trump are probably not everyone's cup of tea, but they do attract new fans, and that is something that snooker seems to badly need.

I see where you are coming from but equally don't you think it sends out other messages? His win over Ronnie showed that if you don't focus or lack motivation then you will get beaten (take note Ronnie) and it also sends a message to keep persevering even after years of hardships and with hard work you can reach your end goal.

That's a good counter-argument, but would the casual viewer flicking over hang around enough to appreciate that narrative? Sadly, a lot of people will only watch the final, and may not watch much of it if there's a player they don't really recognise in there. Their loss of course!

Re new fans, anecdotal only, but I went to the UK Champs a couple of years ago, and was able to walk in and buy 2 tickets to watch Judd Trump (who was then world number one) play his first round match jsut after the match had got underway. This was on a weekend, in a venue with a capacity of maybe 300, tickets were about a tenner. I personally found it a bit depressing that there wasn't more interest.

[VTR]

Feel free to shoot me down in flames but what would Bingham in the final do for the image of snooker? I follow it and know he is a cracking player, but let's be honest, if someone with a passing interest tuned in, it could re-inforce the negative stereotypes of it not being a real sport as you can be out of shape and make the world final. Also, he is a pretty charisma free zone whilst playing.

Players like O'Sullivan, Robertson, Trump are probably not everyone's cup of tea, but they do attract new fans, and that is something that snooker seems to badly need.

If fans are put off by what Stuart looks like or how he plays then they need a firm slap. Snooker is about skill not about what you look like

Plus if Ronnie and Trump were so popular then why is snooker still behind most other sports?

I agree with you, but I am a snooker fan. I am talking about attracting the casual viewer/lapsed fan/younger fan to the game

[CaledonianCraig]

But those extrovert players are still there. Look at the 1985 Final. Still talked about today with the biggest ever viewing figures and played between two far from extrovert type players and won by Dennis Taylor who is/was more in a Stuart Bingham mould than a Ronnie or Judd mould. Another that was far from fit was Joe Johnson during a time when snooker was more popular.

[CaledonianCraig]

The Hawk has won a frame!! Still though he trails Shaun Murphy 10-3.

[CaledonianCraig]

I wouldn't say that the type of players on show in the world final will automatically draw fans in. Snooker (viewing figures wise) was far more popular in the 1980s and 90s before players like Ronnie and Judd were even on the scene. Sure you had Hendry and White then into the 90s came Ronnie and Mark Williams and Higgins but into the 00's when O'Sullivan had a purple patch and appeared in a lot of finals the viewing figures were going down so what you are saying VTR doesn't add up.

I think the loss of viewing figures came about with more tv channels to watch, the internet age and other stuff yanking away the audience from snooker and even players like Ronnie and Judd hasn't lured people back.

[CaledonianCraig]

Murphy nips any hopes of a comeback in the bud. Hawkins spurns another chance and Murphy pounces and leads 11-3.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Steve Davis-Dennis Taylor 18 million viewers in 1985.

Ronnie-Selby less than 6 million viewers in 2014.

Pretty sure it was 6.5 million who watched Higgins-Trump in 2011.

A myth that Ronnie draws in the most fans

[CaledonianCraig]

Shaun Murphy wins another frame and now leads 12-3. This semi looks odds on to finish a session early.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Murphy, who has been playing like a potting machine, takes the final frame of the session and leads 13-3. What a massacre. Hawkins just leaving far too many chances and not scoring heavily when he has got his chances. He cuts a dejected figure as he leaves the arena.

[Josiah Maiestas]

I thought Hawkins would atleast push him the way Mcgill did, this will not even go to a 4th session probably..

[CaledonianCraig]

Bingham with chances in the first frame of the day and takes it at the third attempt. Bingham leads 6-3.

[CaledonianCraig]

Much better from Judd Trump as he takes the frame in one visit with a sizeable break and trails 6-4. Like the pundits say he looks anxious here.

[CaledonianCraig]

Bingham breaks down with the frame at his mercy and Trump pounces to take the frame with a break of 65 and Bingham leads 6-5.

[CaledonianCraig]

That frame could be a momentum changer.

[CaledonianCraig]

Bingham has other ideas and a 67 break helps him to the 12th frame and he restores his two frame advantage. 7-5 at their mid-session interval.

[CaledonianCraig]

Bingham remaining the more composed and takes the next frame to lead 8-5.

[CaledonianCraig]

Trump takes a tense frame with a very good run of the ball to keep in touch and Bingham leads 8-6. I have worked out who Trump looks like and wonder whether he is Matt Dawson's love child?

[CaledonianCraig]

Bingham powers in a break of 85 and he stretches his lead to 9-6.

[temporary21]

Big frame this one

[CaledonianCraig]

Big frame this one

Agreed. Trump takes it to stay in touch and will trail 9-7 overnight.

[CaledonianCraig]

Murphy's march to the semi continues. He takes the first frame of the evening to lead 14-3.

[Josiah Maiestas]

No nerves or letdown from Shaun tonight I think. Hawkins must clear in 1 chance to win frames.

[CaledonianCraig]

Hawkins gets a frame on the scoreboard with a century break but you feel it is far too little too late. He trails 14-4.

[CaledonianCraig]

Frames are like buses at the moment. He waited ages for one then two come along at once. The Hawk fighting to extend this match into the final session. He trails 14-5.

[CaledonianCraig]

Barry looking far more settled now (probably the tension has gone as he realises the match is probably lost) and he strikes another century to go into the mid-session interval trailing Shaun Murphy 14-6.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Murphy dunno what hit him here Maybe he won't win with a session to spare after all

[temporary21]

This is gutsy stuff from Barry, hes been steamrolled, but hes dug in and looking to extend the match until tomorrow, hes halfway there to levelling at 7-14

[CaledonianCraig]

The Hawk on a roll here. Another frame to him with a big break and it is 14-7. If he wins at least one more frame this evening then the match will go into the final session.

[CaledonianCraig]

Shaun Murphy stops the rot and a big break of his own gives him the frame and he leads 15-7. Two frames for the final. Can he seal his spot a session early?

[CaledonianCraig]

Murphy back into the groove and takes the penultimate frame of the day and leads 16-7. If he wins the final frame of the session he is in the final and he can have tomorrow's session off. This frame was the tail of the match. Hawkins getting in but not scoring heavily enough, breaking down through poor positional play and losing the frame.

[temporary21]

16-7, big ish frame coming up. A lot of rest or pride at stake

[CaledonianCraig]

And The Hawk lives to fight another day in this tournament. He wins the final frame of the day and has taken the match into tomorrow's final session. He trails Shaun Murphy 16-8. He has done well to hang on in there.

[temporary21]

and We do come back tomorrow!

[VTR]

Feel sorry for anyone with tickets for the Murphy match today!

[CaledonianCraig]

Feel sorry for anyone with tickets for the Murphy match today!

Don't worry it means they'll get some JV impersonations:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAqMpsRxxqI

[CaledonianCraig]

Trump off to the start he would have wanted. A big break and the first frame to cut the lead to one frame. He trails Bingham 9-8.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Trump carries on in the same vain taking the second frame to level it up at 9-9. You feel Bingham has to try to stay ahead in this match otherwise if Trump goes ahead he may run away with it.

[CaledonianCraig]

Bingham edges back ahead 10-9 - looking solid.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Bingham restores his two frame lead as they go into their mid-session break. Bingham leads 11-9.

[CaledonianCraig]

This 21st frame could be crucial. A lengthy frame, chances for both, safety duel and it is Stuart Bingham who takes it and extends his lead to 12-9. Beginning to look worrying for Trump.

[CaledonianCraig]

Bingham now in firm control as he takes the next frame and leads 13-9. Two frames left to play in this session and I'd say Trump really wants both of them.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Is this a semi final? Hardly any big breaks in this match. I hope Murphy wipes the floor with Bingham he's had such a lucky run.

[CaledonianCraig]

Critical frame that you feel. Both players will feel they should have won it but Trump takes it on the pink and he is clinging on to trail 13-10.

[CaledonianCraig]

And Trump manages to take the final frame of the session and he is still in this. He will go into tonight's final session trailing 13-11.

[temporary21]

Massive last 2 frames! Trump might be marginal favourite now

[CaledonianCraig]

Massive last 2 frames! Trump might be marginal favourite now

Hmm not sure about that yet. I think Bingham remains favourite as long as he keeps his nose ahead in the match. Trump has looked desperate and flustered at times (perhaps trying too hard) in playing catch-up. If he goes level or ahead it should relax him and perhaps cause Stuart to start doubting. We shall see.

[CaledonianCraig]

Hawkins win the first frame of the final session but still trails Shaun Murphy 16-9. Barry just playing for pride just now.

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