Snooker

Winning 3 frames on the bounce when you're 12-9 down isn't keeping your cool? I didn't think either player lost it, Hawkins just got the lucky break in that weird final frame. They both played well, both would have been worthy of victory, both made a few unforced errors.

I'm just happy Judd Trump's been knocked out, the up-himself little twerp.

I guess you're right, but to me it always looks like Ronnie's whims are the major factor in him winning or losing, not the opponent's quality per se. nevermind, I had few beers last night

nice to see McManus still going strong and getting in the quarter finals, I remember his first matches on the big tournaments way back in the early 90s

I think maybe Ronnie O'Sullivan's reputation proceeds him; read about it from Hawkins' perspective:

"He makes it look so effortless sometimes," said Hawkins, the only player to have reached the semi-finals in the past three seasons. "It winds me up to be honest. There's me twitching about and he's flowing. I don't know what he thought of his performance, but overall I thought he played really well."

Hawkins held in there, though, fair play to him.

I hope McManus tears Higgins apart.

Yes would like to see McManus do well, always rated him highly

Higgins is a misery guts on a par with Hendry back in the day, stunningly boring to watch

Yeah, and there's that match-fixing business, which was dodgy whichever way you look at it.

Exactly. I hate the way that the media never mention it and suck up to Higgins.

I like Kyren Wilson because he looks a bit like Paul Dano, although I'm not convinced Wilson would even know who Paul Dano is.

Heart Ding. Heart Fu. Ding-Fu final please.

Ding's on another planet at the moment, unbelievable stuff.

POW.

Fair play to Mcmanus, still very much in it when he looked like he was going to be blown away.

Ahhhh. I'm miles away from a tele, sounds exciting.

I really wish Dennis Taylor in the commentary box would stop his constant babbling, drawing the white lines in the screen and making stupid jokes that makes the less intelligent part of the Crucible audience laugh at inappropriate moments, as they seem to be hooked up to the BBC broadcast audio.

And go Ding! I like his style

Dennis Taylor in the commentary box

I hate John Virgo even more.

(Virgo won no ranking tournaments at all during his career. Taylor is an ex world champion.)

Both irritate me immensely.
The concept of sports commentary, when you are watching the sport, is a strange one.

john virgo maybe likeable enough in real life, but i find him to be an utter cunt

Love the grainy-1980s-tv-colour-filtered-slo-mo shots

They seem to be using the slo-mo more for Ding's facial reactions after he misses than the actual snooker.

The masters starts today, which is doubly excellent as I have tickets to both semi finals on Saturday. Christmas present from my mother Ron law who will also be providing child care. Sweet.

I want to see Judd playing at his best, Kyren Wilson not being overwhelmed by the occasion Selby doing some gritty come back action.

I also have my fingers crossed for a nail biting thriller of a final.

Any predictions?

Also Higgins to lose first round please. Cheating scum.

O'sullivan. What a finish!

Gotta feel for Liang, missing that black. Ouch.

Oh Ding. That suit.

Ha. Bye bye John.