2017 and 2018 World Snooker Championship Thread

by CaledonianCraig Tue 18 Apr 2017, 5:04 pm

First topic message reminder :

I am surprised no topic up here yet for the World Championship so here goes a few days too late.

Mark Selby looks like a good bet for a third world title. Where will the main challenge come from? Perhaps Judd Trump, John Higgins, Ding Junhui and Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Selby looked very good in his opening match as did Higgins. O'Sullivan's mental demons have resurfaced again in time for The Crucible and will need to improve to win again.

Thoughts?

by CaledonianCraig Mon 07 May 2018, 7:58 pm

This is just snooker from the gods from Higgins here all things considered. Another great steal from nowhere. Williams still leads 15-13 though.

by Guest Mon 07 May 2018, 8:11 pm

CaledonianCraig wrote:Williams won't fade though. I still fear he will bag his third world title tonight. What a turnaround in his career.

14-15 on the cards

Oh dear god

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 8:19 pm

Uryu Ishida wrote:was anyone noteworthy slower than ebdon?

Hi, I have found a more up to date listing - ebdon is 129 and there seems to be only 131 players on the professional world snooker tour circuit. Rod Lawler and Lee Walker are slower. Rod Lawler's nickname is "Rod the Plod".

In this latest listing for the ongoing 2017/2018 season Ronnie O'Sullivan is the fastest at 16.99 seconds, Mark Williams is 7th fastest at 18.97 seconds, and John Higgins is 22nd fastest on 22.21 seconds.

The full listing can be found at the following web address:
http://livescores.worldsnookerdata.com/TourPlayers/Index/14003

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 8:26 pm

The ebb and flow of these types of marathon matches is quite interesting. Clearly John Higgins is now in the groove and on a roll. Is it just a question of John Higgins upping his level or is it more a question of Mark Williams form deteriorating compared to earlier sessions?

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 8:29 pm

The BBC text is saying John Higgins has just upped his level while Mark Williams hasn't done much wrong - he is just not getting the chances.

by CaledonianCraig Mon 07 May 2018, 8:32 pm

Just John wrote:
CaledonianCraig wrote:Williams won't fade though. I still fear he will bag his third world title tonight. What a turnaround in his career.

14-15 on the cards

Oh dear god

I suggest waiting until the match is over before gloating John. At 15-14 it is right back in the melting pot but I'd sooner have 15 frames on the board than 14. In any case whoever wins it will have earnt it. Epic final.

by CaledonianCraig Mon 07 May 2018, 8:36 pm

No name Bertie wrote:The BBC text is saying John Higgins has just upped his level while Mark Williams hasn't done much wrong - he is just not getting the chances.

John is winning frames from impossible looking positions. He is pulling out clearances from god knows where and those clearances have been far from easy. Matk Williams is just being frozen out. Deprived of time at the table it elevates the pressure when chances come your way especially when you see your opponent clearing the table in one visit.

by Guest Mon 07 May 2018, 8:47 pm

Great chance for Williams here

And then he makes a mess of it. Terrible

15-15

by Guest Mon 07 May 2018, 9:08 pm

16-15 to Williams Yahoo

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 9:26 pm

So Williams will take the next frame as well.

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 9:27 pm

So Williams wins the next frame to go 15-17 up and makes a century break.

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 9:32 pm

Williams first to score in the next frame (frame 33)

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 9:33 pm

Could this be a match winning break from Williams?

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 9:34 pm

Marks Williams is rattling through this frame - can he clinch it here.

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 9:36 pm

Williams on 63, maximum left on table is 67, with Higgins on zero and all to do.

by Guest Mon 07 May 2018, 9:40 pm

17-16

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 9:40 pm

Higgins takes the next frame and it is now 16 -17 to Williams.

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 9:43 pm

And Williams first to score in the 34th frame.

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 9:45 pm

All I am getting is the frame score. Williams now on his second break having score a single point in his first break.

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 9:46 pm

Williams up to 25 and scoring quickly.

by Guest Mon 07 May 2018, 9:47 pm

Williams

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 9:47 pm

Again Williams motoring through this second break - frame score currently 46 - 0 to Williams.

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 9:48 pm

Higgins now requires snookers and Williams is still motoring.

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 9:50 pm

Second break breaks down but Higgins requires three snookers. Frame score 70-0 to Williams and 59 on the table.

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 9:51 pm

That's it. Williams next to score again and the frame and championship must be his.

by No name Bertie Mon 07 May 2018, 9:52 pm

Williams world snooker champion. Well done. Excellent match.

by **88Chris05** Mon 07 May 2018, 10:01 pm

Wonderful final, massive credit to Higgins for making a match of it from 7-14 down. Thought tonight would just be a formality for Williams, but Higgins played some great stuff and made three separate counter-clearances to nick frames on the final blank to rank up there with any I've ever seen. Reminiscent of that amazing counter-clearance of 64 he made against O'Sullivan from 60 down to win the deciding frame of the 2006 Masters final on the final black. As Williams just said, Higgins is the best there's ever been when it comes to that.

But Mark Williams, wow. Never rattles but even his voice is breaking up here in the ceremony. What a story, I could never have imagined him winning another world title in 2008, never mind 2018! Was always a mystery to me how and why he fell away so badly after his last world title in 2003 when, in theory, he should have been more or less in his peak for the next few years and should have continued winning the big'uns, as his fellow Class of '92ers Higgins and O'Sullivan did. On balance, those two are better players overall than him, just about, but with Ronnie on five and John on four, Williams now getting to three feels about right and is more indicative of his level.

I guess this title makes up for those years in the wilderness. Unbelievable achievement, well done to him.

by Uryu Ishida Tue 08 May 2018, 5:35 am

No name Bertie wrote:
Uryu Ishida wrote:was anyone noteworthy slower than ebdon?
Hi, I have found a more up to date listing - ebdon is 129 and there seems to be only 131 players on the professional world snooker tour circuit. Rod Lawler and Lee Walker are slower. Rod Lawler's nickname is "Rod the Plod".

In this latest listing for the ongoing 2017/2018 season Ronnie O'Sullivan is the fastest at 16.99 seconds, Mark Williams is 7th fastest at 18.97 seconds, and John Higgins is 22nd fastest on 22.21 seconds.

The full listing can be found at the following web address:
http://livescores.worldsnookerdata.com/TourPlayers/Index/14003

cheers. Congrats to Williams for winning as well.

by CaledonianCraig Tue 08 May 2018, 6:09 am

First up what a superb final - one of the very best of all-time. Well done to Mark Williams on becoming a three times world champion. He scored highly throughout the tournament and played some truly amazing shots on his way to the title. Considering where he was this time last year having not even qualified for The Crucible and contemplating retirement from the sport it really is a fairytale outcome. Full credit to him as well for keeping to his promise if he won the title. I really love his sense of fun he brings to the table - a flashback to the good old days of the 70s and 80s.

Commiserations to John Higgins but what a fight he put up from 14-7 down. Epic. He won frames from impossible positions in extreme circumstances and that takes almighty bottle. Sadly, not his year but maybe next year.

by Guest Tue 08 May 2018, 8:04 am

CaledonianCraig wrote:Commiserations to John Higgins but what a fight he put up from 14-7 down. Epic. He won frames from impossible positions in extreme circumstances and that takes almighty bottle. Sadly, not his year but maybe next year.

Hopefully not

by Nathaniel Jacobs Tue 08 May 2018, 8:37 am

Really glad Mark Williams won TBH, John Higgins is a good player but a fifth world championship to tie with Ronnie would've massively flattered the Scotsman.

by Uryu Ishida Tue 08 May 2018, 8:44 am

Lets also thank Barry Hearn for his 'wonderful' comments regarding younger players

by Beer Thu 10 May 2018, 4:03 pm

Uryu Ishida wrote:Lets also thank Barry Hearn for his 'wonderful' comments regarding younger players

He wasn't wrong though.

by Mochyn du Fri 11 May 2018, 5:06 pm

Just John wrote:
CaledonianCraig wrote:Commiserations to John Higgins but what a fight he put up from 14-7 down. Epic. He won frames from impossible positions in extreme circumstances and that takes almighty bottle. Sadly, not his year but maybe next year.

Hopefully not

I agree, people (especially Scottish) to quick to forget about the match fixing scandal. Leaves a bad taste in the mouth and Higgins deserves to be reminded of it every so often.

by CaledonianCraig Fri 11 May 2018, 5:34 pm

Mochyn du wrote:
Just John wrote:
CaledonianCraig wrote:Commiserations to John Higgins but what a fight he put up from 14-7 down. Epic. He won frames from impossible positions in extreme circumstances and that takes almighty bottle. Sadly, not his year but maybe next year.

Hopefully not

I agree, people (especially Scottish) to quick to forget about the match fixing scandal. Leaves a bad taste in the mouth and Higgins deserves to be reminded of it every so often.

And too many people to quick to believe a heavily edited video from the News of the World newspaper. A newspaper which closed down due to its many court visits for printing downright lies. Best placed to judge were the WPBSA who saw the edited version and saw it for what it was. I really would love to know why all the fellow pros who travel the circuit, play against and socialize with John Higgins all to a man are always gushing in their praise of him. They know him better than any of us and had more to gain if he had got banned but yet they stand by him. Why?

by No name Bertie Sat 12 May 2018, 10:32 am

CaledonianCraig wrote:
Mochyn du wrote:
Just John wrote:
CaledonianCraig wrote:Commiserations to John Higgins but what a fight he put up from 14-7 down. Epic. He won frames from impossible positions in extreme circumstances and that takes almighty bottle. Sadly, not his year but maybe next year.

Hopefully not

I agree, people (especially Scottish) to quick to forget about the match fixing scandal. Leaves a bad taste in the mouth and Higgins deserves to be reminded of it every so often.

And too many people to quick to believe a heavily edited video from the News of the World newspaper. A newspaper which closed down due to its many court visits for printing downright lies. Best placed to judge were the WPBSA who saw the edited version and saw it for what it was. I really would love to know why all the fellow pros who travel the circuit, play against and socialize with John Higgins all to a man are always gushing in their praise of him. They know him better than any of us and had more to gain if he had got banned but yet they stand by him. Why?

Maybe someone with a bit of time and patience could write a short summary of this issue with John Higgins, and post it as a separate article.

During the Snooker World Championship, when the BBC opened up the matches for Have Your Say (HYS) comments I was surprised to read how much apparent contempt and dislike some people appeared to have for John Higgins - and that often was their focus, rather than comment on the match. The same can be said regarding Sam Allardyce. I wanted to ask why did they have such strong feelings against Higgins? I had heard something a while ago that a newspaper tried to set him up over something, but nothing was ever proved, and he wasn't banned as far as I am aware of. I tend to be sceptical of media stunts and set-ups that attempt to create a situation where reporters can create a story through the incrimination of someone.

by Marky Sat 12 May 2018, 10:38 am

Ultimately if John Higgins had said "Nope, sorry, not interested" then there'd be no story.

But he didn't.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 12 May 2018, 10:47 am

Marky wrote:Ultimately if John Higgins had said "Nope, sorry, not interested" then there'd be no story.

But he didn't.

And would you if you feared for your safety given that these reporters pretended to be a mafia? And with the New of the World - there was always a story. It didn't matter if it were lies (and usually it was) they still did a story on it. Sums up why it was closed down.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 12 May 2018, 10:50 am

No name Bertie wrote:
CaledonianCraig wrote:
Mochyn du wrote:
Just John wrote:
CaledonianCraig wrote:Commiserations to John Higgins but what a fight he put up from 14-7 down. Epic. He won frames from impossible positions in extreme circumstances and that takes almighty bottle. Sadly, not his year but maybe next year.

Hopefully not

I agree, people (especially Scottish) to quick to forget about the match fixing scandal. Leaves a bad taste in the mouth and Higgins deserves to be reminded of it every so often.

And too many people to quick to believe a heavily edited video from the News of the World newspaper. A newspaper which closed down due to its many court visits for printing downright lies. Best placed to judge were the WPBSA who saw the edited version and saw it for what it was. I really would love to know why all the fellow pros who travel the circuit, play against and socialize with John Higgins all to a man are always gushing in their praise of him. They know him better than any of us and had more to gain if he had got banned but yet they stand by him. Why?
Maybe someone with a bit of time and patience could write a short summary of this issue with John Higgins, and post it as a separate article.

During the Snooker World Championship, when the BBC opened up the matches for Have Your Say (HYS) comments I was surprised to read how much apparent contempt and dislike some people appeared to have for John Higgins - and that often was their focus, rather than comment on the match. The same can be said regarding Sam Allardyce. I wanted to ask why did they have such strong feelings against Higgins? I had heard something a while ago that a newspaper tried to set him up over something, but nothing was ever proved, and he wasn't banned as far as I am aware of. I tend to be sceptical of media stunts and set-ups that attempt to create a situation where reporters can create a story through the incrimination of someone.

Nice enough idea to create a separate topic but it would just lure the same type of HYS comments - those with a massive axe to grind with a wish to believe a newspaper closed down for blatant lying. I will pm you the full run down of the story behind the allegations if you wish.

by Guest Sat 12 May 2018, 11:24 am

Didn't he try to bet against himself as well?

Not too shady.

by Duty281 Sat 12 May 2018, 4:24 pm

Mochyn du wrote:
Just John wrote:
CaledonianCraig wrote:Commiserations to John Higgins but what a fight he put up from 14-7 down. Epic. He won frames from impossible positions in extreme circumstances and that takes almighty bottle. Sadly, not his year but maybe next year.

Hopefully not

I agree, people (especially Scottish) to quick to forget about the match fixing scandal. Leaves a bad taste in the mouth and Higgins deserves to be reminded of it every so often.

Hear, hear.

by CaledonianCraig Sat 12 May 2018, 7:19 pm

Duty281 wrote:
Mochyn du wrote:
Just John wrote:
CaledonianCraig wrote:Commiserations to John Higgins but what a fight he put up from 14-7 down. Epic. He won frames from impossible positions in extreme circumstances and that takes almighty bottle. Sadly, not his year but maybe next year.

Hopefully not

I agree, people (especially Scottish) to quick to forget about the match fixing scandal. Leaves a bad taste in the mouth and Higgins deserves to be reminded of it every so often.

Hear, hear.

I never knew all the professional snooker players are all Scottish. You learn something new everyday eh? After all they all to a man praise Higgins. I wonder why that is?

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