Jimmy and Ronnie were yesterday in London, at an event organised by Discovery/Eurosport UK promoting the Home Nations Series that starts next week with the English Open 2017. They played a few frames against each other, just exhibition stuff but clearly enjoyed by the audience, Andy Goldstein, the MC on the day, and the players.
Here are a few pictures, and the video that was shared by Eurosport UK, live, on Facebook. Enjoy!
Ronnie O’Sullivan to return to Lincoln – how you can see the ‘The Rocket’ in action
The five-time world champion hit a 147 during his previous appearance in the city
Dean Christopher
12:02, 10 OCT 2017
Ronnie O’Sullivan during this year’s World Championships at the Crucible in Sheffield
Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan will return to Lincoln early next year to play two nights of exclusive exhibitions.
The five-time world champion, known as ‘The Rocket’, will perform at the city’s Drill Hall venue over the weekend of February 10 and 11.
Regarded by many as the greatest player the game has ever seen, O’Sullivan played a hugely successful sell-out show last May at The Venue on the Bishop Grosseteste University campus.
In a stunning display of snooker brilliance, the reigning Masters champion made seven centuries, including a magical maximum 147 break.
Ronnie O’Sullivan during his appearance in Lincoln earlier this year
This time around, O’Sullivan will take on local players on both evenings, with the added bonus of a specially arranged question-and-answer session on the Sunday night.
MC for the weekend will be 1979 UK Champion and BBC commentator John Virgo, while former World Snooker referee Michaela Tabb will oversee the action on the table.
The exhibitions are again being organised by Nigel Coton – in association with Snooker Legends’ brand creator Jason Francis – and he is delighted to be bringing O’Sullivan back to the city
“He is pure Box Office and it is fantastic to bring ‘The Rocket’ back to Lincoln for true local snooker fans,” said Coton.
“As the BG night was a sell-out we decided to have two consecutive shows this time around, making it a Ronnie snooker extravaganza weekend.”
After raising £1,147 from donating surplus proceeds at the previous O’Sullivan show for World Disability Billiards and Snooker (WDBS), Coton will be doing the same with the excess this time around.
“It is important to myself and my wife Ali to support the WDBS again,” he added.
There are a wide range of ticket price options for the Ronnie O’Sullivan evenings, including a limited number of discounted tickets for wheelchair guests and their companions.
VIP tables are also available. To book or for further information, visit www.lincolndrillhall.com or call 01522 873894.
Nigel Coton is a – very good disabled player himself and a regular at WDBS events.
Circumstances permitting, I will be there taking pictures both days.
Last week-end Ronnie was in the Sheffield area for a series of 3 events, where he spoke about his life as a sportsperson. On Sunday he also did an exhibition where he played, and beat, 8 amateurs. He had two consecutive centuries and one maximum attempt. Going by the comments on twitter all events were highly appreciated.
Here are a few images:
Ronnie loves Sheffield: he feels that he belongs there as an “adopted Northerner” and has many friends in the city. One of them has a barge on Victoria Quays and, apparently, Ronnie tried to convert him to his new diet, cooking salmon and sweet potatoes in the oven for him.
That’s only a small item in the flow of tweets he shared over the week-end. He took a lot of time interacting with the fans, very nicely, touching all sorts of subjects. Maybe the most interesting part was what he said about his stance about snooker. He definitely wants to play, but isn’t that happy with the players contract. Rings a bell? 2012/13? Basically, Ronnie’s opinion, and his agent (*) position, are that if players are asked to do things outside playing, that brings value to Worldsnooker, they should get something for it, and, of course, that top players shouldn’t need to qualify. No problem with starting at last 128, but at the venue.
(*) asked if his agent is Jason Francis, Ronnie’s answer was no. Jason does manage him, whenever someone asks how they can possibly organise an exhibition or get some support for a charity, Ronnie always points them to Jason. But there is someone else in charge of contractual matters obviously.
First of all, a big, big thanks to the readers of this blog who have been helping with finding videos, and interviews over the lasts days. I’m going to a difficult time privately and, without you, I would not be able to provide content and keep the blog going! Thank you!
Congratulations to Ronnie, Mark, Joe, Michael and Graeme!
Following a question by Mo, Silvry found this gem:
yesterday evening I came across a series of interviews of Ronnie made the day before the event started, In fact a team of camara men and interviewers followed him during part of the day.
One of the questions was about his cue. In short, he told that he will put it to “rest” as soon as he is back in the UK. And that some work was done on it, but that it did not play well.
So, I assume that he is still playing with the reworked cue at the moment.
Other than confirmation that Ronnie was still playing with his old, repaired cue, we also learn that there will be a third book in the “Frankie James” saga, due probably after the world championship.
Then, krdlr found a treasure of footages:
Day2 videos:
Zhao Xintong v Mark Williams
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Zhou Yuelong-Zhao Xintong v Graeme Dott-Joe Perry:
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Yan Bingtao v Michael Holt:
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The frame of the tournament was a 135 TC by Graeme Dott and Joe Perry, second and last frame in their double vs Ding and Liang. Doing that in a double with alternate shots is some feat!!!
Ding Junhui-Liang Wenbo v Graeme Dott-Joe Perry:
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Ronnie O’Sullivan v Zhou Yuelong:
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This is the double over 7 frames Ronnie+Willo vs Ding and Liang. Quality and fun!
Trophy presentation:
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The trophy presentation is quite funny, as usual in China, and it’s heartwarming to see how much the players enjoyed it. It’s been well documented that Graeme Dott has been struggling with depression in past years, and to see him laughing and enjoying himself like that is really nice. Hopefully, the event will be played again next year.
Willo had a lot to say on twitter about this one! … about the event in general. Happy doesn’t even start to describe it. But he is right about the lack of coverage from Worldsnooker. Ok, this is not one of their events, but the World Games aren’t either and surely this one attracted more interest. But I can see where they come from. The World Games might be a step towards Olympics inclusion which in turn could boost snooker in countries where currently it isn’t officially recognised as a sport.
First time I ever played doubles with Ronnie, his positional play is exceptional, I have never been in position so much in my life.#loteasier
(About a certain plant …)
I said I don’t think it goes , he said it does now go for it, I said if tha goes in I will do an headstand on the table @ronnieo147 #wentin
Unreal, I would never go for it , he said u cant miss it, he WAS correct
Excellent comp, good format , great arena , great fans, Ronnie is box office, pay him way he wants to play wsa. #hesasbigasthegame
Do we get in the champion of champions???? Me dott perry holt o Sullivan demand the spots
Ps world games on your website and nothing for this event , #chairmanout
And to finish a “pot-pourri” of images shared on twitter and weibo!
The 2018 Sino-British snooker Challenge will be held in Shenzhen on the 28th and 29th of this month. On the evening of July 27, including the Chinese team captain Ding Junhui and the British team captain O’Sullivan, including all 10 entries Players and the China Billiards Association, Shenzhen Nanshan District Government and sponsor representatives and other guests attended the event to participate in the press conference, welcome dinner.
2017 Sino-British Snooker Challenge is a group invitational co-sponsored by the National Sports Administration’s Smallball Management Center, the China Billiards Association and the World Occupational Billy and Snooker Association. Held in Nanshan District, Shenzhen Nanshan Style Sports Center.
Participate in this event a total of two teams, including the Chinese team captain by Ding Junhui, the players are Liang Wenbo, Yan Bingtao, Zhou Yuelong and Zhao Xin Tong. “Rockets” O’Sullivan served as captain of the British team, the team by Mark Williams, Graeme Dott, Joe Perry and Mike Holt composed.
In the two-day game, all the players will take turns to play, the form of competition, including players singles, team doubles, captain singles and captain doubles. In order to enhance the viewing of the event, in the doubles session will be a one-person approach.
Two match days, the two players will bring fans, including singles and doubles a total of 35 Bureau of the contest, which won the first 18 of the victory, that is, the championship team, will receive 80,000 pounds reward, and the runner-up team will Won £ 40,000 bonus. But different from the common single-defeat system, in the Sino-British snooker Challenge, even if one party has been ahead of the 18 Board victory, but the game will continue until the end of all the race.
British team captain O’Sullivan recently won the Hong Kong Masters runner-up, despite last night he only slept for an hour, but tonight held before the press conference and welcome dinner, O’Sullivan or maintained a good status. After the scene O’Sullivan first and friends Liang Wenbo happy talk, then talk with Ding Junhui sounding.
In the collective debut link, the two captain, respectively, to introduce their own players. For the team system, the Chinese team’s lineup is absolutely “super luxury.” Teenager Yan Jiantao and Zhou Yuelong have jointly won the 2015 snooker World Cup champion, shocked the world. And Ding Junhui and Liang Wenbo this pair of gold partner in 2011 and 2017 won the snooker World Cup title, it is worth mentioning that in the 2017 snooker World Cup final, Ding Junhui and Liang Wenbo is defeated the England team The final win.
In the interview section was asked whether there is confidence to beat the British team, the Chinese team captain Ding Junhui said: “World Cup we won them, but that is doubles competition, the team more than three people, the degree of cooperation with each other A higher demand, hope that we can withstand the test, and ultimately beat them. “(China Billiards Association Xiaofan)
Editor: cbsa
Here is the Ding vs Ronnie match:
Ronnie lost the first frame but won 6-1. It was best of 7 but all frames were played as per the rules of this event.
And here the Williams vs Liang match, this was a best of 3.
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PS: family circumstances mean that I have very little time to follow the action. Every contribution is very, very welcome!
“(1) The competition consists of two teams, the Chinese team and the British team, each team consists of five contestants, one of them captain;
(2) the game using the World Professional Snooker Association latest snooker competition, which doubles the game using a blow to the way;
(3) the game with 35 Bureau 18 wins race system, is divided into four stages, each stage set doubles and singles, of which 19 Bureau for the singles, 16 Bureau for the doubles;
(4) The competition shall be determined by the two teams in addition to the competition identified by the Organizing Committee in advance, and the contestants shall not act more than three times each time, not less than once. Doubles and singles against the team before the game two hours ago by the team captain to the referee group to submit the list of players, after the submission may not be modified twice.
Incentives:
(A) winning team will receive 80,000 pounds, a winners trophy
(B) losing team will receive 40,000 pounds, to commemorate a trophy
(Note: all bonuses are pre-tax bonuses)
Ten contestants
A Chinese team: Ding Junhui (captain, A1), Liang Wenbo (A2), Zhou Yuelong (A3), Yan Bingtao (A4), Zhao Xin Tong (A5)
B British team: Ronnie O’Sullivan (captain, B1), Mark Williams (B2), Graeme (B3), Joe Perry (B4), Michael Holt (B5)”
And there is a picture (write on Chinese) with the session times (matches lists?)…
My guess is the “Bureau” means “Frame”. Automatic translators are not yet perfect…
And here are a few pictures shared on social media, both Western and Chinese
Aside from the main competition, Stephen Hendry, Jimmy White and On Yee Ng were invited to play a “pot black” exhibition, taking place on the Finals day afternoon.
Ng On-yee humbled by crowd and two greats in Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White
She may be twice world champion but it was the first time the Hong Kong star had played in front of more than 3,000 fans
PUBLISHED : Sunday, 23 July, 2017, 9:34pm
UPDATED : Sunday, 23 July, 2017, 10:52pm
Two-time reigning women’s world champion Ng was on Sunday night flying to the World Games in Poland, where she will take on male players and Belgium’s Wendy Jans – the only other female taking part.
There will be plenty for her to think about on the plane after losing to Jimmy “Whirlwind” White and Stephen Hendry at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in an exhibition prior to the Hong Kong Masters final.
White is a six-time world championship finalist and Hendry a seven-time world champion. Neither are among the elite men’s players any more but were still too strong for Ng.
Ng was beaten by White 145-43 over two frames under the pot black rule while Hendry scored an overwhelming 151-49 win in the following game, including a 72 break in the second frame.
The strength of the crowd proved difficult for her to handle. The fickle weather meant the match was initially switched to being playing behind closed doors but then changed back to allow in the fans after a one-hour delay.
“I thought it was a big crowd when I last played at the Crucible for the men’s world championship qualifiers with a crowd of 300, but today it was more than 3,000,” she said. “I could not find my rhythm from the first moment, maybe it’s the first time I played in front of so many home fans in a big venue and seemed not to be able to control my muscles.
“But you don’t have too many opportunities like this. It’s a great experience of playing two great players and you gain experience match by match. Although it’s not a good performance, I did my best and hope the fans enjoy the game.”
Even her father, Ng Yam-shui who came to support his daughter, said she failed to play her best.
“She was too tensed. I can tell,” he said. “Maybe her performance was affected by the big home crowds. She should have taken it easy as the two were all-time great players.”
White also comforted his opponent, saying Ng could do much better even against men’s players in future if she could cope with the atmosphere.
“She needs to get a bit more used to the conditions like this,” said White, who has been given a wild card to play in the professional tour for next two seasons. “Today was the first time she played in front of a big crowd and when me and Steven played in front of a big crowd the first time, it was nerve wracking. She played well in the matches and just a bit nervous. She just keeps practising under her coach Wayne Griffiths and carries on as she is.”
At 55, White still enjoys snooker and is still keen to play in the tour.
“The season just started and I’ll go home tomorrow and get ready for it,” said White, who beat Hendry 109-74 in their exhibition match. “I plan to play in every tournament in the new season. Basically I want to stay with tour as I enjoy practising. While I still enjoy practising, I will carry on competing.”
This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as:
grand masters White and Hendry teach Ng a lesson
And watch it here …
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The format was: round-robin, matches in 2 frames, aggregated points.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 