Snooker

[The Bear]

Deffo heads gone with Ronnie. That'll annoy the lads I was talking to last night who bought tickets for the first afternoon and couldn't believe their luck when the draw spat out Ronnie vs Higgins. I expect plenty of locals bought tickets hoping to see him too.

I know Dave Gilbert has been struggling with his mental health again recently too. He was practising yesterday afternoon in the club with his mate Andy Lee and I could hear him talking about how he's been suffering lately, mainly due to his relationship with his ex.

He cancelled a local exhibition over Christmas as he apparently couldn't bear to leave the house never mind be in a room full of people. Snooker can be a lonely sport at times for the pros on tour unless they have family. It's a wonder you don't see it more with the younger Chinese lads.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Robbo beats Higgins 6-5 from 5-1 down.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Murphy absolutely smashing Gary Wilson who truth be told, always looks like one of those players who doesn't quite belong at the very top level. Very solid pro but only ever going to be transient in the top 16 due to others having a bad run.

Other than that run to the semi-finals in 2019 (as a qualifier) he's only ever won one match at The Crucible, for instance, and he's 40 soon.

 

[The Bear]

I can't believe he's 11 in the world tbh. Solid but unspectacular is always my view of him.

I guess his Scottish Championship wins have bumped him right up in the past couple of seasons.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I'd say he's even a rung down from the likes of Ryan Day and Ricky Walden. Nice bloke, more than good enough to make a living out of the game but there are plenty of players not involved this week who should be looking at him being there and seriously questioning where their game is.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

4-3 now. Two good breaks by Wilson and then Murphy throwing frame 7 away with a quite ludicrous miss by his standards.

 

[The Bear]

One thing you can say about Wilson is he's a grinder and doesn't dip his standard too much. He'll never beat the best on top form but will always be there to pick up the pieces when they're not.

Edit - I guess that's exactly what you were saying about his place in the top 16.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Robertson vs Murphy
Allen vs Selby
Trump vs Ding

Then

Brecel/Wakelin vs K Wilson/Zhang

 

[The Bear]

Wakelin is another mystery when it comes to how he's in the top 16.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Could well win tomorrow though, Luca has been utter shite for nearly two years now. He isn't even that far off losing his tour card if he doesn't buck his ideas up with all that World Championship 2023 money dropping off soon. 62nd on the one year list (Wakelin is 10th).

 

[The Bear]

Selby 4-1 behind to Allen, but we've only had almost 6 frames out of a possible 11 in almost 2 and 3/4 hours. Average frame time they brought up was 27 mins I think. Absolute shite to watch I'd imagine.

Yet weirdly all but this last frame have had frame winning breaks of 69+ in them.

 

[Sniffer]

A 147 for Shaun Murphy as he leads Mark Allen 4-2

 

[Del Woppio]

Chuffed for him after his fuck up the other day

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Good on him, surprised he doesn't commentate on his own matches though. Headsets are good these days.

 

[The Bear]

Damn it I turned over to Soccer Saturday and missed it.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Murphy walking away with the final as it stands. 6-2 up.

Got a right fivehead these days.

 

[The Bear]

He had a gastric band op a couple of years ago. You'd never know these days as he's piled the weight on again.

 

[Del Woppio]

Wilson playing well tonight, if it was first to 20 he'd have a chance, but Murphy is too good to not win from here

 

[Del Woppio]

Or not

 

[Del Woppio]

I've just completely fucked it for Kyren. As soon as that posted he missed the pink

Why do I always do this to sportsmen