Fast and Furious Snooker

the ultimate challenege

2014-05-13T07:31:00.001-07:00

I am putting myself to the ultimate challenge of spinning 250 miles for diabetes uk over 7 days, if 250 miles is hit before 7 days is up I will continue to spin for the full 7 days so who knows what the miliage could be! now here is for the big ask, please could sponsor me? as little or as much as you can literally every penny helps. If you do it online and if you pay tax please tick gift aid so the tax man has to put his hand in his pocket! Thanks

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Press conference's of Ali carter and Ronnie O'Sullivan

2012-05-10T14:12:00.001-07:00

Ronnie O'Sullivan is 2012 World champion

2012-05-07T14:37:00.001-07:00

(photo by steven Kent at Maximum snooker) There has possibly never been a more exciting World Snooker championship. Ali Carter fought hard against Ronnie O'Sullivan, but he was just simply out played. Ronnie rarely put a foot wrong through out the championships and he dominated every match he played. Ali has put his return to form, down to a healthy diet, and carrot juice! Apparently he could play even if the lights were switched off. No one could doubt that, surely now Ali will stay in the game and be a strong threat in up and coming matches! "Gutted I lost, but lost to the greatest player of all time, so no disgrace there. Thanks to all my positive followers." Ali said on twitter following his loss. The down side is that reports have it, Ali has to face a drug test- thankfully they will only find carrot juice. Once Again All talk has been full of Ronnie since the event started 17 days ago, talk of possible retirement. He could hardly put an end to his career after Stephen Hendry got in first. Or was it the fact Stephen had called a day, that encouraged Ronnie to carry on, now he could see a chance to beat Stephen's record of 7 World Championship wins? It has been said before and will without doubt, be said again about Ronnie. Half the time he doesn't even know what he really wants. This years event appeared to show Ronnie in a better place. Here is what Ronnie had to say for himself More videos and pictures will follow tomorrow

Ali Carter and Ronnie O'Sullivan into the final

2012-05-05T14:31:00.000-07:00

Ali Carter put up a fantastic 4 sessions of snooker against Stephen Maguire. He barley did a thing wrong, he looked as though he enjoyed every second, being out there in the Crucible. He finished last nights session 14-10 up, Ali was punishing himself as he knew he could lose, the match from his position. Thankfully Carter returned this afternoon and even after Maguire pulled two frames back Carter won 17-12. Here is Ali Carter's press conference. Here is Stephen Maguire's Press conference Tonight saw the finishing up of the O'Sullivan V Stevens match, Matthew opened up the nights session with a century break and there was hope he could pull a few frames back. O'Sullivan was on form however and finished the session early at 17-10. Here is Ronnie's press conference And here is Matthew Steven's Press conference the final starts tomorrow and it a rerun on the 2008 final, here at Fast and Furious Snooker we wish both players all the best. But extra good luck to Ali Carter, from me!

Last Night Press Conference.

2012-05-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

Ali Carter talking about his win Jamie Jones Talking about the match

Day 12

2012-05-02T14:26:00.000-07:00

Today has been the day of semi finalists to be. Matthew Stevens was the first through, after his win over Ryan Day 13-5- Ryan's poor performance had been due to a migraine which started before yesterday's match and unsettled him. Never the less Matthew fully deserves his place in the semi finals.
You can view Ryan and Matthews press conferences here.

Matthew will now meet Ronnie O'Sullivan, who saw off the Aussie hunk Neil Robertson 13-10. It was a nail biting match to watch, in this afternoon's session Robertson lost his lead; after seeming to not be able to pot a ball. Every shot he went for he failed to pot. Was it pressure of the moment? Who knows? Ronnie however was untouchable and made a great impact on the game. Tonight's session saw Neil pull back the deficit, but it wasn't enough.
Neil Robertson commented on twitter about his performance. 'Oh well. Didn't quite get going this afternoon which cost me the match in the end but fair play to Ronnie as he played some great stuff'

Stephen Maguire is awaiting the winner of the Carter V Jones match. Jamie was almost giving up as Carter lead him 12-8 put he pulled it back to 12-9 and his chances came back to being possible. It has been seen before and Jamie has never stopped fight back. Carter's four frame lead has taken a beating in the last through frames 12-11. Jamie looked a few times as through he was giving up but when Carter should have closed the match up, he made mistakes and gave Jamie an in to the game. Ali Carter managed to come back, avoiding the final frame decider. No one can deny that Jamie Jones has played out of his skin, the experience will do him no harm at all. The audience where so impressed they gave Jamie a standing ovation as his left the theatre of dreams. Carter breathed a sigh of relief. 13-11. Press conference of both players will be added as soon as they are available.
The semi finals start tomorrow at 1pm

Day 11 Stephen Hendry retires from snooker

2012-05-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

Well no one saw that coming, at Stephen Maguire saw Stephen Hendry off 13-2 with a session to go in the quarter finals, the press conference arrived and Stephen Hendry announced his retirement shocking the media contingent. On a personal note, its sad I remember Hendry through out my child hood as he played snooker and he will be sadly missed on the scene. Here is the moment Stephen announced he was giving up.

Fellow snooker players have left comments on twitter as Stephen Hendry quickly began to trend. 'Can't believe Stephen Hendry is going to retire, the guy is a genius, thank you for all you've done for snooker' Tweeted Mike Dunn 'Most successful snooker player of all time, Stephen Hendry retires. Can't believe it.' Added Shaun Murphy Here is Stephen Maguire's reaction to the news

In other quarter final news:

Matthew Stevens is leading Ryan Day 11-5, Ryan looked as though he wasn't there, his snooker wasn't as good as he had previously shown. He still has a chance to make a difference but Matthew has to be a favourite for tomorrow.

Ronnie O'Sullivan V Neil Robertson was left with Robertson 5-3 in the lead, the match will conclude back to back tomorrow evening. Also to conclude tomorrow is Ali Carter V Jamie Jones. Carter 5-3 in the lead, he could either run away with this or have to slog it out to the finishing line!

Day 10 part 2

2012-04-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

You would expect nothing else from Ronnie but to win the match 13- 6 over Mark Williams. But something you would expect of Ronnie is to give away 36 points trying to get out of a snooker!

Ronnie's press conference can be heard right here

and Mark Williams right here Then over on the other table, Jamie Jones V Andrew Higginson, Andrew came back strongly in the first half to equal up at 10-10. The interval came at the right time for Jones, whoever gave him a kick up the bum; it worked! he finished the session after a bit of a nail biter at 13-10. He will now face Ali Carter. Andrew Higginson speaks to the press Jamie Jones Quarter finals start tomorrow!

Day 10 part 1

2012-04-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

No one can deny Ali Carter V Judd Trump of being one of the best matches of the championships so far! Butt clincher it was. Ali Carter is back to form and good health, he fought like a demon against Trump. Any bad shots or mistakes he made, he let go of them and came back to the table stronger. He broke Judd down and it showed. Even though in the final frame decider when it looked like Ali was to win, he made a dodgy shot and put Judd back in needing 4 snookers. Judd came to the table and scooped back 3 Snookers. Ali fought on and flew against Judd into the Semi finals. 13-12. A Result surely to hurt Trump. As Rob Walker spoke to Ali after the match, Carter seemed a little emotional who could blame him. Peter Ebdon then decided to plant a sloppy kiss on Carter's fore head that soon bought him round.

listen to Carter's press conference. Thanks to Monique Limbos

And here is Judd's press conference as well On the other table Matthew Stevens but an end to Barry Hawkins hopes and dreams of a crucible quarter final as he ended the final session 13-11 Here is Matthew's Press conference Tonight is set to be just as fantastic with Ronnie and Mark Williams finishing up there session and Jamie Jones V Andrew Higginson playing 'til an end. Both too close to call but we all have our favourites!

day 9

2012-04-29T15:21:00.001-07:00

Its has been a mixed bag of carrying on to the quarter finals day. No one has won a spot, just made a bigger mark in their target of getting there!
All of today's matches will finish up tomorrow. Carter went into his second session against Trump, two frames up and after a difficult session came out two frames down; he trails Trump 9-7 into tomorrows final session.
Ronnie held all the cards in today's match against Mark Williams, at one point it looked as through he would finish his session with a game to spare. Mark pulled it out the back and clawed back two frames to go into tomorrow's final session 11-5.
Matthew Stevens and Barry Hawkins, have hammered it out tooth and nail. They remain 8-8 going into tomorrow's final session and it is too difficult to call a winner. Who ever recheas 13 tomorrow will well deserve their quarter final place!

Andrew Higginson V Jamie Jones. started off this morning with Andrew being in control of the balls, although Jamie never gave up and fought all the way. In this evenings session he ended the second session 10-6 ahead of Higginson. I have said since, I saw Jamie in the qualifiers he would do well and now he only needs 3 frames, to get the well deserved quarter final spot for the talented young Welshman.

There will be a much more interesting review tomorrow and hopefully press conference video's!

Day 8

2012-04-28T15:30:00.001-07:00

Well what a day! First up Stephen Maguire but an end to Joe Perry's run as he won the match 13-7 and will now face Stephen Hendry. Hendry saw off Higgins 13-4. In a match that seemed as though it was the first time, Higgins had picked up a snooker cue!

And here is John Higgins thoughts

It didn't take long for Hendry to see off Higgins, so all the audience on that table then got the pleasure of watching Ronnie O'Sullivan V Mark Williams. It was the start of their three sessions, but Ronnie has at the moment got the advantage. 5-3

Also through to the next round is Ryan Day, who had a great match against Coa Yupeng, he saw off the young Chinese player 13-7. But it was a great experience for Coa and got him the exposure he needed. He is a talented young man!

Tonight Ali Carter V Judd Trump started their first round. Ali Carter looked spot on with his game and had control. Trump managed to pull some back. As the first session came to a close, Judd had a chance to steal the frame to make 4-4 but some bad shots, meant that Carter walked away 5-3. This one will be a close session, and who ever wins it will deserve their place in the next round!

Up tomorrow Jamie Jones V Andrew Higginson to start off their second round matches and it will be a great second round match to witness!

Mixed bag of updates again day 6 &7

2012-04-27T14:56:00.001-07:00

Sorry about lack of update yesterday, I was at college late last night! Anyway what a Day. The captain Ali Carter, showed he was truly on form and comprehensively beat Mark Davis.  10-2, M.Davis had been suffering from illness, but you can take nothing from Carter he was truly flawless. 
  Mark Williams went on to beat Lui  Chuang 10-6 and was half booed half celebrated from the Sheffield crowd. 
The second round also began yesterday with Neil Robertson v Dave Gilbert. Gilbert didn't seem at all fazed by playing Robertson. Thought out the 3 sessions played over the past 24 hours, Gilbert showed a lit of skill and fight. Losing out tonight 13-9 after a mammoth fight back. 
  Joe Perry v Stephen Maguire, also kicked off in the evening session on Thursday. At the end of play it was 5-3 to Maguire. They met again today for the second session with results seeing Maguire in need of only 2 frames tomorrow morning. 
Today saw the start of Higgins v Hendry this mornings session had Higgins, two frames behind Mr maximum Hendry. Going into tonights session; which was as bad as the weather! Higgins struggled badly with every shot, god only knows what was going through his mind! Its doubtful he can come back from a 12-4 score line. Hendry needs only 1 frame tomorrow.
Ryan Day v Coa Yupeng started this afternoon, Ryan also appears to be back in form. He ended the first session with a 6-2 advantage going into tomorrow mornings session.
Mark Williams v Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter v Judd Trump are the second round matches, starting tomorrow for your viewing pleasure!

Day 5 part 2

2012-04-25T15:25:00.002-07:00

Where to start today! With more Seeds dropping out of the competition, its becoming wide as to who could win! Ding Junhui lost his fight against Ryan Day, it was a close battle but the Welsh qualifier beat the Chinese player 10-9.
Here is Ding and Ryan's press conference

Ryan Day

Joe Perry saw off Greame Dott 10-1,
Greame's press conference

Barry Hawkins then put an end to Mark Selby's crucible 2012 beating him 10-3.

The only seed of today to make it through to the next round is youngster Judd Trump who saw off Dominic Dale 10-7, a good win for trump who had been ill the previous day. Here are Judd and Dominic's Press conferences

And Dominic's

Mark Williams was booed as he made his entrance into the crucible, after comments he made, calling the crucible a sh*t hole! The booing however didn't detract him from ending his first session 6-3 against Lui Chuang.

Ali Carter also made a great start against Mark Davis who is also suffering a dodgy stomach, Ali leads 7-1
The last two first round session end tomorrow and then its straight into the Second round session with Neil Robertson up first

Mixed bag of up dates

2012-04-25T02:55:00.001-07:00

Sorry there was no blog yesterday. You shall all find out why, threat the next magazine edition! Anyway look back at yesterday. Ronnie beat peter ebdon 10-4, neither player played particularly well. But Ronnie did was was needed for entry into the second round.
Judd started his first round against Dominic Dale, with food poising he was off colour, for a frame or two but ended the first close session in the lead 5-4. The match resumes at 2:30.
Joe Perry looked very convincing in his opening session against greame Dott. And this morning session saw Joe go on the win the Scot. 10-1, that had to be a tough result for Greame Dott.
Stephen Lee also fell at the first hurdle last night, as Andrew Higginson booked his second round place 10-6.
Mark Selby v Barry Hawkins also took place yesterday. Mark has been suffering a neck problem, it was unsure if the world number 1 would compete. At the end of the first session scores were 6-3 to Hawkins.
Ryan Day also is a frame ahead of Ding Junhui 5-4.
This years champs maybe one for the qualifies.

Day 3 part 2

2012-04-23T14:17:00.001-07:00

The 7pm session saw the finish up of the Stevens V Fu match, which may not be a surprise to anyone who watched this mornings session. Saw Matthew clean up at 10-3, it didn't seem to be an easy session for Marco, who had played well leading up to the champs!
On the other table the start of Stephen Lee v Andrew Higginson got under way. Lee had a very positive start in this campaign against Higginson. The only problem for Stephen, is that Andrew is having an equally positive start and leads 5-4 after Stephen won the last frame of the session. They will resume the match tomorrow, one thing is for sure it will be a close closing score!

Barry Hearn's Press Conference Allen and Williams

2012-04-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

Barry has a point, he speaks sense!

Day 3 part 1

2012-04-23T10:58:00.000-07:00

So day three at the Crucible, sucked weather wise! None stop rain, nothing like being proper Yorkshire!
Now to the snooker, what an exciting a few matches we've seen so far today. First up Stephen Maguire saw the end of youngster Luca Brecel. 10-5 was the finishing score, maybe hard on Luca; but he played well and the experience will count for more in the long run! In the long run Luca can't really grumble, as Barry has given him a two year wild card slot.
Matthew Stevens v Marco Fu, started on the other table. It was starting to look a little like a white wash, as Stevens got to 8-0 before Marco managed to get a frame on the board, the second part will continue at 7pm tonight!
This afternoon's session saw Shaun Murphy v Jamie Jones, to finish up what was started yesterday. Jamie put in a great effort yesterday and he didn't disappoint today either! It was a close session specially as Shaun levelled up with Jamie at 8-8. It was great however to see a qualifier, doing so well. Jamie potted a difficult red in the final frame and gave a fist pump as that red put him over the line to win. He potted the following colour, then unfortunately his fist pump was wasted as he, went in off. Shaun didn't take the opportunity and won the frame and match. 10-8.
Ronnie O'sullivan V Peter Ebdon, was a match that was anticipated for different reasons. Most worried the playing style of Ebdon may bore O'Sullivan into submission. After a shakey start Ronnie left the first session 7-2 and will complete it tomorrow.

Crucible day 1 part 2

2012-04-22T14:07:00.003-07:00

Well I left off the last post, with and overview of this mornings session. Which was nothing in comparison to this afternoon's! First of all Ken Doherty, was on for the Maximum but broke down at 104; the Crucible had got itself all excited it hope they would see it. Then over on the other table Stephen Hendry pulled a maximum out of the bag! Which then in turn got the Scot trending on twitter, quiet a feat for the player who dropped out of the top 16 early in the season.
Hendry has played well through the qualifying for this event and if the first session was anything to go by, today then who knows- maybe just maybe he could go all the way!
Robertson finished the afternoon session ahead, with three century breaks to finish up with! Neil will go into the second session tomorrow with a comfortable lead, over Ken Doherty 7-2.
Tonight's session saw the first player through to the second round. John Higgins fought a serious battle against Liang Wenbo, the nail biting match went to a decider at 9-9. It could to be fair have gone either way, but John found the power from somewhere and booked himself a match next Friday. On the other table Mark Allen started his match against Cao Yupeng. Which ended with Yupeng a frame, the Chinese player looked very strong in the qualifying rounds, Allen will not have an easy ride against him, when they meet again tomorrow to fight for second round access.
Finishing up tomorrow will also be Martin Gould, who should hope he can find some form against Dave Gilbert; who is at present looking like a serious threat to the Potter from Pinner.

The Crucible Day 2

2012-04-22T14:07:00.002-07:00

Well no one could be disappointed with today's action! First off this morning Martin Gould met Dave Gilbert and finished off what was started yesterday. Martin played well, a lot better than his first attempt; he made the 9-8 just one crucial frame behind. Dave pulled it out the bag and swoop in to make it to the second round.
Gilbert was as you can imagine very pleased with his win, "I thought I played really well yesterday and came back, I struggled a bit today and Martin probably went favourite when he came up 9-8. But I am pleased that I proved to myself I could do it." Gilbert said to World Snooker after the match. On the other table Stephen Maguire V Luca Brecel. The qualifiers are giving the top 16 boys a run for their money! Luca showed great skill, and though he trails 6-3 to Maguire, what he can take from this tournament is experience. At 17 he is a threat in a few years time he will be very dangerous, around that table!

This afternoon, saw the start to Shaun Murphy V Jamie Jones and Mark Allen was out to clean up against China's Cao Yupeng. Allen trailed last night, in a move he said was due to him highly under estimating Yupeng. Again the balls did seem to play right for Allen. Yupeng walked away with 10-6.

"If there was ever a ranking position that was false it was that one because he played like a seasoned professional there and he made a few good breaks towards the end of the match.

"A lot of people coming here for the first time crumble and he's definitely not one of them and if he keeps going on the right track then he's got a very bright future." Allen saud about the youngster to World snooker.

On the other table, Shaun Murphy, was given a bit of punishment from Welsh lad Jamie Jones. He finished the first session a frame behind Murphy, but I would say we haven't seen the last of Jamie and he will not let, Murphy run away with it!

The evening session was a cleaning up session, Neil Robertson V Ken Doherty. Neil was 7-2 a head of the Irish man as he came back to the second round. Doherty started a come back attack, but it was shorted lived as Robertson took the match 10-4.

On the other table Stephen Hendry returned to finish uo the match against Stuart Bingham, there was no 147 this time but the Scot was focused and out to prove, there is still life in the old dog! He saw off Bingham 10-4. giving everyone at the crucible a nice early night!

Day 1 so far

2012-04-21T08:55:00.001-07:00

Well Sheffield has welcome the snooker, with sunshine! Lets over look the fact, its freezing!!!
Anyway enough on the weather, the first matches of the day; came down to Martin Gould v Dave Gilbert, on table 2. Table 1 had John Higgins v Liang Wenbo. Results table one see John 6-3 up on Wenbo, after a tense drawn out session. On table two, Martin Gould appeared to be still suffering, his lack of form as Gilbert had all the run. Hope is that Gould can pull it back, this evening.

The afternoon session, is now underway- Neil Robertson v Ken Doherty on table two and Stephen Hendry v Stuart Bingham.

Hours until the Crucible

2012-04-20T15:48:00.002-07:00

At 10 am Saturday 21st April 2012, the best 17 days of any snooker fans, life will begin. There has been a strong buzz about the World Championships for the last few weeks. Lots have people have counted down the days, finally it is almost here.

But the big question is who is you're winner?
Stick with Fast and Furious Snooker blog, to take you through the World Championships!

Michael Holt PTC10 Winner!

2011-11-30T13:13:00.000-08:00

Michael Holt was crowned two times PTC champion in Sheffield as he beat Dominic Dale 4-2. Holt reportedly looked calm and comfortable in his snooker. When he knew he had won he was said to have bowed and waved to the 'pretend' audience, in the tiny cubicles at the World Snooker Academy in Sheffield.
The 2000 ranking points that Holt will gain from tonight's win, will see him listed provisionally at 37; a big jump from his currant position at 45.

Mark Selby wins the Paul Hunter Classic

2011-08-28T22:38:00.000-07:00

Photo by: Monique Limbos
Written by: Rachael Rodgers

Mark Selby won the Paul Hunter classic or PTC 4 4-0 beating Mark Davis, who had been a very strong contender until he faced Selby. Audiences had thought Ronnie O'sullivan would walk away with his second PTC title of the year after he completed a fantastic 147, before sitting down and looking very unbothered by the audiences reactions to what they had seen.
This win for Selby sees him listed at World number 2, his 2,000 ranking points means he has edged above John Higgins although Mark Williams is still at world number 1. Runner up Mark Davis has also bagged himself a all time career high at 15 in the world, if he can keep his place before the next ranking up date he will no longer need to attend qualifying matches.

Ben Woolaston Wins first Pro title

2011-08-26T10:35:00.000-07:00

Picture from World Snooker
Written by Rachael Rodgers

Ben Woolaston world number 60 made his first professional title by beating Graeme Dott 4-2 in the PTC 3 event at the EIS Sheffield.
It was no easy task for the 24 year as Dott had seen off the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins and Stephen Hendry to book his place into the final. Woolaston who has never made it into the last 32 before, won the first frame with a break of 70 but Dott soon came back in the second frame, with a much needed snooker to make it 1-1.
The PTC's are a test of staminia, the matches maybe short but they are constant especially in the latter stages. Players may finish one match and the have less than 30 minutes minutes before the start of the next.
"I think this shows the strength in depth on the Tour, no result surprises me these days," said Woollaston after collecting a cheque for £10,000 and receiving 2,000 ranking points. "Hopefully I am starting to fulfil my potential now. I'm guaranteed to be in the PTC finals now and my target for the season is to get into the top 48 and qualify for a few venues.

"I didn't play a bad match in the tournament, the only time I was worried was in the quarter-finals when I was 2-0 down to Alan McManus. I came back to win that 4-3, and in the final against Graeme I did well to recover from 2-1 down." Woolaston commented to World Snooker after he won.

The PTC has given Ben something else to celebrate along with his recent marriage to Tatiana, a referee from Belarus, and she is moving to England permanently tomorrow. Meaning thatthe couple can officially start their married lives together.

Fast and Furious Snooker wish them all the best and a big congratulations to Ben on his PTC win!

Judd Trump wins PTC2

2011-08-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

Written by Rachael Rodgers- picture by Maximum Snooker

Judd Trump was crowned the second PTC Champion at the South West Snooker Academy
in Gloucester.
Judd faced a shorter rematch of the World Championship Semi final match against Ding Junhui, and once again Judd came out the winner, pocketing £10,000 and 3000 ranking points, which in a ever moving Ranking system those points are worth more than money. Next PTC starts in Sheffield 19th August