The final League games of the Snooker Premier League took place in Venue Cymru, Llandudno. With three players fighting for that final semi-final place and two of them competing, we were treated to a very nerve-racking night of snooker. The first match was between O'Sullivan and Selby, Selby just needed a point to be assured of that place regardless of the other result. If Selby won two frames he would automatically knock the Welshman Mark Williams out of the running and have to rely on Murphy to do enough to stop Robertson qualifying.
The first frame was really all about the blue ball, Selby was quickest out of the blocks and secured a 49-0 lead after two visits but missed a blue to go onto surely take the frame. O'Sullivan then came out and rushed onto 56 before missing that final blue, a few defensive shots came into play before Ronnie notched the blue and took the frame 67-49. Selby wasn't too deterred but still lost the second frame to make his chances of winning the match very slim, he lost the frame 68-43. Selby's chances of winning were all over in the third frame as after a break of 80, O'Sullivan claimed the third frame 87-12. This meant that Selby had to win at least two of the final three frames to be in with a chance of qualifying, the point meant that O'Sullivan would finish the league stage in first place. It should have been 4-0 but O'Sullivan missed an easy black which allowed Selby in with a chance, he forced a snooker that O'Sullivan couldn't escape. He argued with referee Paul Collier over the claim that the foul was a 'foul and a miss' which meant Selby could make O'Sullivan replay the snooker. After three failed genuine attempts at it he decided to make a statement by just hitting the cue ball into the nearest ball to incur more fouls, until conceding the frame at 48-79. As the fire was in his belly, O'Sullivan came back into the fifth frame with a century break of 116 to mean Selby had to win the final frame to knock Williams out of contention. O'Sullivan had glorious chances of winning the final frame early but didn't take them and Selby still required a snooker. He managed it before fouling himself and then a stroke of luck meant the snooker wasn't required when a double kiss from O'Sullivan saw the cue ball go into a pocket. It went down to the final black which O'Sullivan managed to pot and win the frame 66-59, to win the game 5-1 and eliminate Selby from the competition.
With that news it was a straight out contest between the watching Williams sat at home and Robertson. If Robertson beat Murphy he goes through, if he fails to beat Murphy Williams progresses. His preparation was ruined after train delays meant he nearly missed the match and Murphy latched onto it by winning the first frame 56-17. The second frame was a little edgy but Robertson was making long pots for the first time in a while, this lead to him winning the second frame 67-33. The Aussie gave himself every chance by taking a 2-1 lead with a century break of 116 to win with a whitewash. But after a foul in the fourth, Murphy was able to take a break of 98 to make it 2-2 and set up a very nervy finish for Robertson and Williams. Robertson kept himself in the competition with another century break, this time of 124. Meaning it was all down to the final frame, if Murphy won it Williams was through, if Robertson won it he was through. Robertson took a quick lead but missed a red which meant if Murphy cleared up he'd win by a solitary point. He started off with a fluked red which saw Robertson sink into his chair with a wry smile. But the clear-up was hampered by balls on the side cushion and Murphy was unable the take the final red from the cushion which allowed Robertson a chance. He took a very brave option and found a remarkable cross double which set him up for the win, 70-29, which puts him through to the semi-finals by a solitary frame. Here's the final league table:
1. O'Sullivan 9
2. Fu 8
3. Murphy 6
4. Robertson 5 (won 18 frames)
5. Williams 5 (won 17 frames)
6. Selby 5 (won 17 frames)
7. Ding 4
The semi-finals take place next Saturday with the final on the Sunday. O'Sullivan, who ultimately helped Robertson's qualification, will face the Aussie in the semi-finals. With Marco Fu returning form the Asian Games to take on Shaun Murphy.
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