2020 World Snooker Championship

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Fri Aug 07, 2020 12:48 pm

12-11 to Williams. 2 frames left.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Sat Aug 08, 2020 10:13 am

Well I've never seen that before.

Neil Robertson and Barry Hawkins are introduced to the arena and as they're getting ready, Robertson knocks a cup of coffee onto his pants and shoes, so they both leave so he can change his trousers.

Rodneyyouplonker · Post by **Rodneyyouplonker** » Sat Aug 08, 2020 1:38 pm

Haha missed that only just put it on.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Sun Aug 09, 2020 7:09 pm

2 potential belting matches on this evening.

McGill coming back from 8-2 to make it 8-7, along with the trouble he had with Clarke. It wouldn't surprise me if McGill carries on the comeback and wins that one.

And of course Ronnie vs Ding currently at 8-8.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Sun Aug 09, 2020 7:18 pm

FactualFrank wrote: ↑
Sun Aug 09, 2020 7:09 pm
2 potential belting matches on this evening.

McGill coming back from 8-2 to make it 8-7, along with the trouble he had with Clarke. It wouldn't surprise me if McGill carries on the comeback and wins that one.

And of course Ronnie vs Ding currently at 8-8.

Yes I heard about the Clarke/McGill set-to, seems rather overblown to me, but anything which adds to the drama is to be welcomed.

I haven't been following it that closely, but looking at who's left in the draw, I'd imagine whoever comes through the Ronnie/Ding match will be a strong favourite to go all the way.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Sun Aug 09, 2020 7:58 pm

tiger76 wrote: ↑
Sun Aug 09, 2020 7:18 pm
Yes I heard about the Clarke/McGill set-to, seems rather overblown to me, but anything which adds to the drama is to be welcomed.

I haven't been following it that closely, but looking at who's left in the draw, I'd imagine whoever comes through the Ronnie/Ding match will be a strong favourite to go all the way.

Mid-session interval already. Ronnie only needs 2 frames and playing well.

Other game is still on frame 2!

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:15 pm

FactualFrank wrote: ↑
Sun Aug 09, 2020 7:58 pm
Mid-session interval already. Ronnie only needs 2 frames and playing well.

Other game is still on frame 2!

When Ronnie's on his game he's impossible to stop, and he's been on his game this year, I sense he he has a point to prove.

Just browsing the results, and there's been some really tight matches, 3 went to a last frame decider, and several went down to the wire with only a couple of frames in it, i guess you should expect that with most of these players being well matched, hopefully the excitement continues into the latter stages.

And of course there was also Higgins 147, so in the circumstances it's been a surprisingly good tournament.

I'm not sure how the draws going, but on paper if they avoid each other a Judd-Ronnie final is a tantalising prospect for the neutrals, mind you there's plenty of big names remaining that could challenge both of them, and also the qualifiers who are performing well this year, the suspicion seems to be that the lack of spectators is helping them.

TommyJohnson · Post by **TommyJohnson** » Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:15 pm

The Rocket will win the tournament he can play at 50% and win this with who's left.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:25 pm

TommyJohnson wrote: ↑
Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:15 pm
The Rocket will win the tournament he can play at 50% and win this with who's left.

With who's left? You mean Selby, Trump, Robertson and Williams?

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Sun Aug 09, 2020 11:34 pm

Fascinating match on now on 761 BBC red button .... McGill v Clarke gone to a decider at 12- 12

Rodneyyouplonker · Post by **Rodneyyouplonker** » Sun Aug 09, 2020 11:59 pm

Very cagey this, that escape from Clarke then though was amazing.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Mon Aug 10, 2020 10:30 am

I went to bed around 10.30pm so just watched the highlights of the final frames. Two great comebacks from McGill to go on and win it.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Mon Aug 10, 2020 1:26 pm

Selby is flying.

Swizzlestick · Post by **Swizzlestick** » Mon Aug 10, 2020 1:47 pm

Can't be doing with another Slowby final...

I know some players are naturally more steady paced, but he's one of the few (along with Ebdon) who slows things down deliberately. I've seen him take two minutes on regulation safety shots before. I know refs can, but I'd like to see them crack down more on overly long shot times, as it harms the game imo.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Mon Aug 10, 2020 2:57 pm

2 excellent frames there. I hope it continues like that.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Mon Aug 10, 2020 4:38 pm

Williams leading Ronnie 6-2 after the first session. Impressive.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 12:50 pm

One hell of a fluky pink from Maflin there. McGill didn't look impressed.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 1:42 pm

Selby closed out his match with Robertson, though it took him slightly longer than it should have, he's a dangerous man to face in the latter stages for anybody.

huw.Y.WattfromWare · Post by **huw.Y.WattfromWare** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 4:39 pm

Wilson put out the defending champ, Trump, 13-9.
Should win his semi which puts him one match from making SD the second most famous Kettering native.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 4:51 pm

Ronnie on a mission. He was 6-2 down, now 8-8.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 6:31 pm

huw.Y.WattfromWare wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 11, 2020 4:39 pm
Wilson put out the defending champ, Trump, 13-9.
Should win his semi which puts him one match from making SD the second most famous Kettering native.

Wilson's got a great shout, he was icy cool in the final frames, and that's a hallmark of champions, they produce when the pressure is on, and he's got the temperament and experience now to go all the way.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 7:37 pm

9-9 - could go all the way this one.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 7:42 pm

FactualFrank wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 11, 2020 7:37 pm
9-9 - could go all the way this one.

As you'd expect with 2 multiple world champions coming together, it could well come down to whoever holds their nerve the best, or if it goes right to the wire it could even be down to lady luck and getting the run of the balls.

On the other table McGill's heading towards the last 4 at a rate of knots.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 7:46 pm

tiger76 wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 11, 2020 7:42 pm
As you'd expect with 2 multiple world champions coming together, it could well come down to whoever holds their nerve the best, or if it goes right to the wire it could even be down to lady luck and getting the run of the balls.

On the other table McGill's heading towards the last 4 at a rate of knots.

They've both been missing balls for fun. Ronnie should have gone 10-9 up, but missed a straightforward shot. Last frame, they both missed about 3 each.

yTib · Post by **yTib** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 7:59 pm

is it just me or does that fake applause sound like someone flushing the toilet?

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:16 pm

FactualFrank wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 11, 2020 7:46 pm
They've both been missing balls for fun. Ronnie should have gone 10-9 up, but missed a straightforward shot. Last frame, they both missed about 3 each.

Saw a few frames of their match this afternoon, and they were missing a fair number of shots in that session too, it just shows that even the elite can suffer from nerves.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:36 pm

11-10 to Ronnie.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:47 pm

12-10 Ronnie. One more needed.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:57 pm

Be a big victory for Ronnie if he can get over the line, he's been playing catch-up for virtually the whole match.

yTib · Post by **yTib** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:15 pm

my god!!

yTib · Post by **yTib** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:17 pm

whoever said snooker is boring is a fool.

yTib · Post by **yTib** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:20 pm

what a match! fantastic snooker.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:22 pm

tiger76 wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:57 pm
Be a big victory for Ronnie if he can get over the line, he's been playing catch-up for virtually the whole match.

I can't believe when he missed that blue. I was half expecting Williams to come back and win the match.

yTib · Post by **yTib** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:23 pm

FactualFrank wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:22 pm
I can't believe when he missed that blue. I was half expecting Williams to come back and win the match.

me too. i reckon if he'd cut that black in he would've gone on and won.

still wilson for me.

yTib · Post by **yTib** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:29 pm

mark williams priceless.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:30 pm

Brilliant from Williams when asked about the game. He said he enjoyed it and then said, "No doubt he'll (Ronnie) say he played $hit, but I enjoyed it".

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:33 pm

yTib wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:29 pm
mark williams priceless.

He dropped the S bomb

and he was so deadpan after doing it.

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:35 pm

Referees need to agree a new language when they're talking to the guy in the control room to replace balls in the correct place.

It would be simple to designate the four sides of the table north, east, south and west. Then there'd be no more of this nonsense:

"Back towards the cushion?"
"Yes."
"No, not that cushion the other cushion."
"That's close, just move it the other way."
"No, not that way. To me."

yTib · Post by **yTib** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:44 pm

Rowls wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 11, 2020 9:35 pm
Referees need to agree a new language when they're talking to the guy in the control room to replace balls in the correct place.

It would be simple to designate the four sides of the table north, east, south and west. Then there'd be no more of this nonsense:

"Back towards the cushion?"
"Yes."
"No, not that cushion the other cushion."
"That's close, just move it the other way."
"No, not that way. To me."

agreed. i saw a few games in china where they have a very different system that seems far more accurate.

yTib · Post by **yTib** » Tue Aug 11, 2020 10:04 pm

is it me or is alan mcmanus beginning to take himself a bit too seriously?

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Wed Aug 12, 2020 7:35 pm

tiger76 wrote: ↑
Tue Aug 11, 2020 8:57 pm
Be a big victory for Ronnie if he can get over the line, he's been playing catch-up for virtually the whole match.

Prediction for the semi-final against Selby?

I'm randomly going to go for a 17-14 win to Selby.

TommyJohnson · Post by **TommyJohnson** » Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:14 pm

In some local snooker news, Farahk Ajaib has managed to come to through Q School and turn pro for the next 2 years. He used to to practice at Padiham snooker under the the guidance of Paul Rinaldi.

A ‘top-up’ player for several main tour events last season – reward for a solid 2018 Q School campaign – England’s Ajaib is now set to be a full-time feature of it for at least the next two seasons.

The 29-year-old made the last 16 during Friday’s event one, but went a couple of steps better this time, surviving successive deciding frame finishes against Jenson Kendrick and Dylan Emery before denying Brian Ochoiski 4-2. A semi-finalist at the EBSA European Under-21 Championship earlier this year, Ochoiski was attempting to become France’s first professional player.

KRBFC · Post by **KRBFC** » Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:24 pm

TommyJohnson wrote: ↑
Sun Aug 09, 2020 8:15 pm
The Rocket will win the tournament he can play at 50% and win this with who's left.

Selby had a pretty incredible record against Ronnie in big events.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Wed Aug 12, 2020 9:10 pm

FactualFrank wrote: ↑
Wed Aug 12, 2020 7:35 pm
Prediction for the semi-final against Selby?

I'm randomly going to go for a 17-14 win to Selby.

17-12 to Selby, I just think his safety game will negate Ronnie's free flowing style, that said Ronnie has started well.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Wed Aug 12, 2020 11:03 pm

Good fight back from Selby at 5-3 he's well in touch despite not playing his best, this is why he's a tough nugget to beat he stays in matches, and nicking that last frame could be critical for him, big difference between 6-2 and 5-3.

Of the four semi-finalists McGill looks the most fluent, which you wouldn't have expected to be the case, but he's not been overawed on his maiden appearance in the single table set-up.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Wed Aug 12, 2020 11:21 pm

Selby one of the best at coming back when losing. Ronnie one of the best at holding a lead.

tiger76 · Post by **tiger76** » Thu Aug 13, 2020 10:37 pm

Wilson pulling away from McGill now, although the Scot has just pulled a frame back, so he's only 13-11 behind, and still well in touch going into the final session.

This is interesting, and it could change the dynamic of the final https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/53771656

Swizzlestick · Post by **Swizzlestick** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 12:17 am

Must admit, really enjoyed that Wilson v McGill session tonight. Good mix of break building and high quality tactical play.

slw · Post by **slw** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 12:43 am

300 fans allowed to attend final now.
Should make for a good atmosphere even though only 1/3 capacity

Swizzlestick · Post by **Swizzlestick** » Fri Aug 14, 2020 12:48 am

Ronnie may not be happy about that, if he makes it - he criticised the decision to initially have fans as “an unnecessary risk” (with some justification).

Personally think they should’ve left it. I get wanting an atmosphere for the final, but we’re in a precarious position at the minute. Just leave it for a year - I’m just glad we’ve got a tournament on.