The Masters

Day hit the cueball with his ferrule in that miscue,everyone missed it..

Ronnie mashing Mark here...

wow, from 0-3 to winning 5-4 for Mark!

leading I should say...

Wow again - great finishing from Mark, only one chance and he took it.

What's funny about that last match - both greats in snooker, but arguably both just playing it as more a hobby these days!

I think you're right in one way stu but I also think they both want to win badly - It's just that they've been around the block so many times that it doesn't hurt as much when they lose.

We must surely be coming to career ends for quite a number of top players.

Get in there MJW!!!

Yep, Gin true - pretty lucrative hobby still also of course!

FWIW, prior to today's match, Ronnie was taking an extra 0.01 frames to make a 50 break on average this season than his career best season (2015-16 on my numbers).  Clearly the tables have got infinitely easier over the course of his career, but I don't imagine he's going anywhere soon, unless he wants to.

MJW's taking an extra 0.12 frames than his best (2017-18).

Good points well made Lats but I believe that it won't be long before old age starts to affect their games (no matter how easy the tables are). I don't see either player hanging around for long if they start missing easy balls.

I know from personal experience that once things start going south it can happen quickly!

  I'm 43, so not a million miles behind the Class of 92.  How long have I got?!? 

if these were chinese players people be saying one of them crooked

Jack says he had a migraine this afternoon and could not see!!! 

I'd guess this Murphy Bingham clash later still qualifies for what we'd call a prime grudge encounter, haven't heard they ever made up in any shape or form or seem ever likely to. Interesting that the hth since their seismic 2015 world final is 2-2 with the frame score 25-25 and it's still even if you include the 2 league encounters. I think given the venue and atmosphere, someone is gonna be really up for this and at prices I favour a stab at ballrun. Hard man to get right and once had a pretty stinking masters record, but when he does turn up, he can be a match for the best of them. Murphy is producing a bit more consistency these days, despite his oft mentioned health issues, so will have his supporters. Taking a punt that the butcher is right on it today.

Actually just seeing that match is tonight not today which is good cos will be able to watch it

Judd's gotta take his medicine there, that was mental

nice 143 by Juddly Trump

What's the reason for the beef between Murphy and Bingham?

I think Murph stole Butchers pork pie, and he were in a proper huff. Should be alright now though and hope both shine bright tonight !

REPORTED for fat-shaming!

Jan 13, 2023 -- 4:30AM, gjohn101 wrote:

I'd guess this Murphy Bingham clash later still qualifies for what we'd call a prime grudge encounter, haven't heard they ever made up in any shape or form or seem ever likely to. Interesting that the hth since their seismic 2015 world final is 2-2 with the frame score 25-25 and it's still even if you include the 2 league encounters. I think given the venue and atmosphere, someone is gonna be really up for this and at prices I favour a stab at ballrun. Hard man to get right and once had a pretty stinking masters record, but when he does turn up, he can be a match for the best of them. Murphy is producing a bit more consistency these days, despite his oft mentioned health issues, so will have his supporters. Taking a punt that the butcher is right on it today.

Looking a great shout so far, John! 

Bingham is such an odd player to punt on or against - can be anywhere between a world number 1 or number 500 depending on his day.

Odd, because you look at his style and think he would be consistent, but he's not.

He's been working with Chris Henry for the last month or so, Stu, having highlighted issues with his game (he was missing A LOT).

Yep, certainly looking a bit more consistent on that at present..

The article I read said he thought his eyes were failing, so the fact he's gone to Mr Sight Right tells you it was probably more to do with how he was lining the shot up than anything else.

5-zip

another wow, this tournament. Murphy needs a miracle.

Pockets are a disgrace.

Exactly how i predicted, should have gone for the 6-0 but held back

Nah, personally i don't punt bingham all that often precisely for the reason you're never sure what you're gonna get. That describes a large percentage of the tour in fairness, but i do find butch to be particularly frustrating. We know most of these guys can do it when the mood takes em, but predicting when that is comes down to no more than hunch feelings imo. Tonight got one right for a change!

ken tonight," these pockets  are tight but ballrun makes them look like buckets " 

Jan 13, 2023 -- 11:30AM, Angela Rebecchi wrote:

I think Murph stole Butchers pork pie, and he were in a proper huff. Should be alright now though and hope both shine bright tonight !

great shout John! take a bow.

Cheers wise but now i gotta figure out what the fecker is going to do tomorrow, short enough but usually reliable once he gets a head of steam going. All told, am liking MJW here, tomorrow and for the weekend. Ebdon can definitely do a job for Jack but from bits I've seen, it's a work in progress. MJ the solid choice for now.

Spank this pretender psychopath Mark

Great to see The Rampaging Butcher in absolutely unstoppable form against Murphy.

Just watching Williams vs Lisowki. Where's Philosopher King Ebdon? Does he still write his 15 page essays about Crackpot from his seat amongst the coughing crisp packet rustlers?

Thorburn looks very well for a man who is 74 soon.

Absolute beatdown so far. 5-0 MJW.

dissapointing from Jack. I think the problem is he's too nice a guy for this sport. Ebbo doing him no favours either IMO. he'd be better off with someone Hendry in his camp to install some ruthless nature into him

What a fecking nut sack.

Ebbo was a nutter too, he won't fix this choker.

How come the BBC pundits always seem to favour Crackpot to win events?  What did I miss?

biggest disappointment in snooker is jack lisowski

Get in there MJW!!!!

Very good to see "The Welsh Knocking The Balls Down The Holes In The Table Machine" reach another Masters final.

Has played some remarkable shots again this week.

The single hand shot against Ronnie in the decider right up there, he's as cool as a cucumber !

Would anyone like to run a book on how many times Ballrun can say "obviously" in his post match interview?

Hi! Davis just said this: "Stuart Butchered a positional shot" I had to share...

I once chatted on here to someone about Cabaret Voltaire, an industrial band, I had a strong sense it was Davis... back in the day!

ive a few vinyls from the ' cabs' ....pretty much ahead of their time ... not watched snooker for a while but enjoying this competition . however , bingham's statement on last victory " he was lucky to get nil " was oafish . disrespectful . i hope he gets hammered tonight . and i've no bet going .

Maybe it was you I spoke to then. Could be. A bit flat tonight. Should be a decent final - I havent watched a whole lot of this tournament.

Its finished just before MOTD - that will please Barry.

Shouldn't be possible to win 6-1 at this level with a top break of 87.Cant imagine having a serious bet on this sport as so many players find it impossible to carry form from one match to another.Stuart Bingham:flat track bully definitely;double squiggle probably.

Mark is giving this final away if frames 2 and 3 are anything to go by. A catalogue of dreadful errors.

In honour our own Windsor Knot, Judd is wearing his today. A much better look.
This is poor from the Welsh floating pocketing device.

Patsy Fagin!

Looking well.

Obviously hasn't been playing golf with Dennis...

Did you all see Cliffy there yesterday? Been there all week apparently.

Was sipping a glass of something nice in an interview with The Nugget.

Good to hear! Still grinding!

I don't know if it's just me but is anyone else pissed of with comentators making comments or jokes which cause an audible reaction from the crowd, causing the players to get up from their shots and lose their concentration. The crowd usually react to good shots or misses but the players expect that. Dennis Taylor is the worst offender. It doesn't happen in other sports.

Cliff made some very sensible points as far as I am concerned. He doesn't like the players entrance to he arena, which of course involves them negotiating down a long flight of stairs, cue in hand, often being patted on the back and fist bumping with the great unwashed. I've often thought that is a recipe for an accident, and very pleased that The Grinder is seemingly on the same page.

I would have liked him to go further and say that the players deserve better than have to listen to the same tedious introductions from persons appearing to be wearing the same suit for over a decade.

however , bingham's statement on last victory " he was lucky to get nil " was oafish . disrespectful .

I must admit, perhaps shamefacedly, that I rather enjoyed it. Quality.   

Didn't Bill Shankly say much the same when his great Liverpool side hammed some hapless opponents at Anfield many years ago?

Didn't help Bingham much then in his next match - pride before what is it...?

Yes I could see it happening myself Stu.

pride before a buffet?

"negotiating down a long flight of stairs". I agree, lets have them lowered into their chairs on a wire like Sean Connery in Entrapment.

...or deluvered in via a Sedan chair.

If top players continue to be the older ones, maybe a Stanna Stairlift

Can you imagine a p*ss*ed-up Alex Higgins or Bill Werbers handling tbe stairs with grace and ease?

If they are going to insist on players coming down stairs, why not add more of a 'Krypton Factor' assault course element to it. Have the players crawling under camouflage nets and swining on ropes. The first to negotiate through it, without breaking the rules, and kissing R. Walker Esq's rear end gets the opening frame.

They should insist on them coming down on hoverboards. Whatever the consequences!

Ha! All worth considering...

I think this will go to 9-9.

Id like to see MJW come in a pogo stick :)

I could go on...
I loke this Olivier Martile - neat, tidy, gracefull, an economy movement around the table. "One of our top referees"

We have parity !!!

Id like to see MJW come in a pogo stick :)


Would you be agreeable for him to have him wear a big bushy fake squirrel's tail stapled to the back of his trousers as well, for even more visual impact ?

That would be delightful :)

Judd went 2.0x into 1.8 during the interval.

Jan 15, 2023 -- 2:08PM, CCD. wrote:

Id like to see MJW come in a pogo stick :)

this would be epic!

CCD... Ronnie isn't such a big fan of Olivier Marteel as yourself

Juddly Trump hits the front

I think in each tournament there should be an 'MJW fun hour' where he tries things like hula hoops,juggling, limbo dancing etc. He raised the roof just flapping a wasp away earlier in the week :)

Ah yes WW - I recall!

If I had to choose a personal butler it would be Martiel.

126 break to finish it !!!! what a champion !!!!

Wp JT

great to see Judderick win another biggie...should probably have won more than he has in his peak years...still too honest at every interview about his own self doubt but all the more likeable for it...great week of snooker....

Juddly and MJW produced a nice session of snooker tonight. Judd's fluid break building allowed him to steal this final near the end

Juddly wants to go out and get smashed

judd and jim going to hit the town hard tonight. karoake at 0300 at jimmys hotel im thinking, rob walker to announce them on to the stage !!

Rob Walker to try to interview Judd after he's finished belting out Wonderwall

"that was an incredible performance Judd, jim and the staff were on their feet, was that up there with sweet caroline for you?!"

"the crucible audience were absolutely captivated. that was absolutely spellbinding!"

Excellent performance from Judd to hang in there.  There was a spell of a good few frames where MJW got away with absolutely everything he did that went wrong, while all of Judd's mistakes left pretty good chances.  Would have been very easy to feel the world was against him at that point, but he hung tough and was eventually rewarded.  No wonder he was so pleased with winning it!

Agree on all that lats. Was on MJW and no complaints, judd had to really produce the goods to get home and for all his flaws, his record in finals is impressive and i don't think it's lack of bottle that ever beats him.