2016 World Snooker Championship - Discussion Thread

by CaledonianCraig Sat 16 Apr 2016, 12:25 pm

First topic message reminder :

The Crucible opens its doors to snookers greatest players on the planet for 17 days but who will end it holding the world crown?

The tournament (as is tradition) starts with the champion opening proceedings and Bingham is having early problems trailing Ali Carter 3-1. On the other table Marco Fu is in command against former champion Peter Ebdon leading 5-1.

Discuss.....

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 2:48 pm

Barry Hawkins takes the first frame of the match to lead Ronnie O'Sullivan 1-0. On the other table Mark Williams leads Michael Holt 10-6.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 2:55 pm

A Ronnie century levels it up at 1-1. Mark Williams is marching to victory against Michael Holt and leads 11-6.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 3:07 pm

Ronnie misses a black off the spot and Hawkins nips in to take the third frame with a clearance of 102 and leads 2-1.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 3:12 pm

A Holt break of 75 gets him a frame back but still trails Mark Williams 11-7.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 3:22 pm

O'Sullivan bites back to level at 2-2 at their mid-session interval with a break of 88.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 3:36 pm

Michael Holt weighs in with a century break to cut Mark Williams lead to 11-8.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 3:54 pm

Now comes the acid test for Barry Hawkins as Ronnie goes into the lead with a century break in the match to lead for the first time at 3-2. On the other table Michael Holt's comeback gets stronger as he looks set to reel off another frame and could soon trail Williams 11-9 at their mid-session interval.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 4:06 pm

CaledonianCraig wrote: On the other table Michael Holt's comeback gets stronger as he looks set to reel off another frame and could soon trail Williams 11-9 at their mid-session interval.

However, Mark Williams comes from an impossible looking position to win the frame and lead 12-8. The Quarter-Finals beckons for the Welshman.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 4:23 pm

A very tactical sixth frame here. Hawkins has a 40 point lead but Ronnie has tactical edge.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 4:27 pm

But the sixth frame goes to Hawkins and is back level at 3-3 with O'Sullivan.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 4:39 pm

Mark Williams wraps up a 13-8 win over Michael Holt to progress to the QF's.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 4:49 pm

Another tactical frame and Hawkins takes it and retakes the lead at 4-3 against Ronnie.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 5:07 pm

Barry Hawkins reels off the final frame of the session and he leads Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-3.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 7:26 pm

John Higgins wins the first frame of his Second Round match against Ricky Walden. On the other table Mark Selby is in control against Sam Baird and leads 10-7.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 7:40 pm

Ricky Walden levels things up at 1-1 against Higgins with a break of 50+ and Mark Selby now leads 11-7.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 7:54 pm

John Higgins goes back ahead to lead 2-1.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 8:07 pm

Walden with a cracking century break and they go into the mid-session interval level at 2-2.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 8:18 pm

Sam Baird takes a 40 minute frame and trails Mark Selby 11-8.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 8:35 pm

And Sam Baird pulls another one back and trails 11-9. Game back on.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 8:40 pm

Higgins edges back ahead against Walden 3-2.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 9:01 pm

John Higgins turning the screw now and leads Ricky Walden 4-2. Ricky needs the next frame just to keep himself in the hunt or this session could get nasty.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 9:17 pm

Walden digs in well and takes the 7th frame and trails Higgins 4-3. A tense 21st frame going on across on the other table and it could still go either way with two reds left on the table but Baird has a chance and is at the table.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 9:23 pm

Sam Baird refusing to go away and Selby looking a little ragged and his lead is cut to 11-10.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 9:29 pm

Higgins weighs in with a 107 break to seal the last frame of the session and he leads 5-3.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 9:42 pm

Baird misses a black off the spot with a lead of 44. Pressure on Selby now at the table. He led 11-7 and should he lose this frame they go all square at 11-11.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 9:56 pm

Another long frame here and Baird has had chances as has Selby. Baird leads 46-13 with the balls gone awkward. I will stick my neck out and say whoever wins this frame wins the match.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 10:13 pm

Baird wins a marathon 22nd frame and levels the match at 11-11. Selby under the cosh. He needs to find his form and fast.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 10:17 pm

A late night thriller at The Crucible. Selby and Baird level at 11-11. Selby has the big match experience and that counts for a lot but Baird has all the momentum and the crowd behind him.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 10:33 pm

Baird beginning to snatch at his chances and Selby holds the edge in this 23rd frame leading 38-9 as the frame moves into a safety battle.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 10:45 pm

Selby holding himself together better than Baird in the 23rd frame (another long, intriguing frame) and he takes it in the end to lead 12-11.

by Guest Sat 23 Apr 2016, 10:52 pm

Lots of comments regarding misbehaving tables. Odd bounces off the cushion is causing some players to lose confidence.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 10:57 pm

Nore Staat wrote:Lots of comments regarding misbehaving tables. Odd bounces off the cushion is causing some players to lose confidence.

It is Table One (the one on the right as cameras look at it) that has been the chief culprit. Ali Carter and Alan McManus weren't happy at all and neither were Mark Williams and Michael Holt today - all on that table. They worked on that table between this afternoon and evening's session and in the match between Higgins and Walden on iy then it played a heck of a lot better. Rumour has it they changed the temperature settings. Whatever they did it certainly improved things.

by Guest Sat 23 Apr 2016, 11:01 pm

Also seems to be a lot of "kicks". Maybe something to do with the atmosphere or the nap or both.

Looks like Selby has an opportunity to finish this off.

by Guest Sat 23 Apr 2016, 11:19 pm

Excruciating positional play. Selby was clever enough to create a difficult table with colours out of position and red balls along the cushion.

by Guest Sat 23 Apr 2016, 11:31 pm

Snooker. Unbelievable. Good fortune as well as cruel luck.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 11:31 pm

Mark Selby stumbles across the line somewhat and seals the frame and the match to win 13-11. A word for Sam Baird though who looks like a good prospect for the future.

by Guest Sat 23 Apr 2016, 11:38 pm

The World Championship is such a marathon. You have to have a rock in your head to survive. Davies and Hendry were robots. O'Sullivan was a genius but had/has difficulty controlling his emotions.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 23 Apr 2016, 11:40 pm

Nore Staat wrote:The World Championship is such a marathon. You have to have a rock in your head to survive. Davies and Hendry were robots. O'Sullivan was a genius but had/has difficulty controlling his emotions.

And it tests all aspects of your game both talent, mental stamina, concentration and mental aptitude-wise.

by CaledonianCraig Sun 24 Apr 2016, 10:00 am

This morning sees two Second Round matches get underway.

Judd Trump takes on Ding Junhui and I see Trump winning this perhaps 13-9 or 13-10. On the other table Mark Allen takes on qualifier Kyren Wilson. I see Allen being too strong and winning perhaps 13-8.

by CaledonianCraig Sun 24 Apr 2016, 10:21 am

Ding takes the first frame to lead 1-0.

by CaledonianCraig Sun 24 Apr 2016, 10:33 am

Trump finds his touch and a break of 85 gives him the second frame - 1-1.

by CaledonianCraig Sun 24 Apr 2016, 10:42 am

On the other table Kyren Wilson takes the first frame - a tight, tactical frame lasting over half an hour.

by CaledonianCraig Sun 24 Apr 2016, 10:50 am

Ding responds to Trump's 85 with a break of 71 and looks certain to lead 2-1.

by CaledonianCraig Sun 24 Apr 2016, 10:55 am

Impressive start by Kyren Wilson - he leads Mark Allen 2-0.

by CaledonianCraig Sun 24 Apr 2016, 11:06 am

Trump's turn to stamp his authority on the frame with a break of 106 and levels at 2-2 and they head to their mid-session interval.

by CaledonianCraig Sun 24 Apr 2016, 11:19 am

This is getting serious for the seeded Mark Allen. He now trails qualifier Kyren Wilson 3-0.

by CaledonianCraig Sun 24 Apr 2016, 11:37 am

Kyren Wilson wins all four frames of the mini-session to lead Mark Allen 4-0.

by CaledonianCraig Sun 24 Apr 2016, 11:43 am

Ding comes from behind to pinch the 5th frame and leads Trump 3-2.

by CaledonianCraig Sun 24 Apr 2016, 11:54 am

Ding looking very good so far and now leads 4-2. Ding really frustrates though. He can look so good but deep down you just know he'll end up coming short of the title.

by CaledonianCraig Sun 24 Apr 2016, 12:17 pm

Ding clearing up with Trump careless and Ding leads 5-2 now. On the other table Kyren Wilson is heading towards a 6-0 lead over Mark Allen.

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