The second night of exhibition in Lincoln, on Sunday, was similar in its organisation to the first one: a welcome reception for the VIPs, followed by John Virgo’s trick shots, then Ronnie playing eight frames against local players, with a break after four frames. Ronnie won all matches easily, had 3 tons in the first four frames, but no 147 this time. Ronnie was clearly impressed by WDBS player Joe Hardstaff, his last opponent.
There was something special to conclude the week-end though: Jason Francis was to conduct a Q&A session with John Virgo and Ronnie, after the matches finished, and VIPs were invited to write down their questions for both John and Ronnie whilst enjoying the VIP buffet. They could ask absolutely anything and, as you would expect, there were so many questions that Jason had to go through a very “harsh” selection process and eventually was only able to keep about one in 5! The very first question that was asked to Ronnie, and was answered, was “Will you play in the World Championship?”. That question was always going to come out … and the answer it got was “Yes”. Which prompted a big cheer from the crowd.
Here are the images of the night:
A very big thank you and well done to Nigel and Ali Coton for this fantastic week-end: it was awesome, and you were awesome!
It was another great event yesterday at the Drill Hall in Lincoln. Organised by Nigel and Ali Coton in collaboration with Snooker Legends, the exhibition aimed at gathering some money for two good causes as well as to provide a great night of entertainment. It was a success on both accounts.
Ahead of the action proper, there was un buffet for players and VIPs, with Nigel taking the opportunity to explain the evening program, as well as the nature and goals of the causes that were to benefit from the success of this exhibition
It was a packed house at the Drill Hall
With two lucky bastards being treated with very special reserved seats! Thanks Nigel!
The evening started with a few trick shots by John Virgo
The action proper came next with Ronnie taking 9 local players over one frame. Ronnie won all nine frames, quite comfortably, scoring three centuries: a 110, a 140 and a 147. The previous time Ronnie was in Lincoln, he had 7 centuries, including a 147. It was always going to be difficult to better that, but Ali Coton had been quite clear that she hoped for another 147. Ronnie obliged … and it was Nigel Coton on the receiving end!
Here are the action pictures. Yes, it’s mainly Ronnie, he didn’t give the opposition too many opportunities nor too much table time. The highest break against him was … 7!
There was an interval after the first four frames, during which
Chris Kirkwood from the Drill Hall was presented with a cheque of £500
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.
Ronnie won the fourth and last leg of the Bulgarian Tour 2017, beating Stephen Hendry by 6-4. He wins the series by 3-1.
I was due back to Greece, and I missed the action. So there will be no pictures from me this time. Judging by images shared by Jason Francis on twitter, they had a hard day of preparation:
The match was played outdoor, which must have been nice in the Bulgarian weather, but very unusual. It has to be said, playing under the lights, when the outside temperature is near 30°C isn’t that great. On the previous days, both players came out of the arena totally wet through with sweat.
I haven’t seen the match (yet) obviously but if Jason Francis’ report on twitter is anything to go by, it was another high quality affair:
Outdoors tonight in Burgas, first time for everything
57 from Ronnie 1-0
Hendry 116 to go 1-1. Playing like a dream in the balls
Ros century 104 leads 2/1
87 from Hendry and its 2-2 at the break. Great standard
I’m very happy that the series wasn’t one-sided. It would have been if Stephen had played like he did last season in Scunthorpe. But it’s obvious that he’s been working hard on his game and he will be a handful for everybody on the Seniors tour this season. It’s also great to see him enjoying the game again.
The Bulgarian Tour hit the beautiful city of Varna (picture shared by Jason Francis).
In the third leg, Ronnie beat Stephen Hendry by 6-4. The boys went serious last night as for each of them there was only one goal: to win. The result? A high quality encounter that got tense towards the end, Ronnie had two centuries, 107 and 100, Stephen hit breaks of 90 and 97. They went for 3 maximum attempts between them too. Ronnie built a 3-1 lead before the interval, but was pegged back to 4-4; he looked set to go 5-3 ahead when he potted the final black, only to go in-off and hand the frame to his opponent. Both made probably more mistakes in the last 2 frames than in the first 8, but it was Ronnie who prevailed eventually by 6-4.
Here are the pictures I took on the night:
Stephen Hendry played really well in Sofia and in Varna. He’s a totally different player now than he was last spring in Scunthorpe. He said on twitter last night that he enjoyed playing despite the defeat. That said, we shouldn’t expect a return to the main tour. Stephen was interviewed before the match yesterday and asked the question. The answer was immediate: a unequivocial NO. But he might play in the odd event if offered the opportunity.
Here is the match:
MissingClip
and a mini clip about the show
The first part of the first frame is missing. Stephen was on a maxi attempt after knocking in a long red.
Tonight they will be in Burgas for the final leg. It will be either 2-2, in which case Oleg Velinov, the promoter might request a decider, or 3-1 to Ronnie. Your pick?
But before that, yesterday evening, it was time to relax…
Day 2 of the Bulgarian Tour 2017 started with a visit to the National stadium and a great lunch in Sofia, with friend Oleg Velinov and his family.
In the evening, things got serious as Ronnie and Hendry treated the fans to a great match. The venue was packed! It was Stephen Hendry who emerged the winner by 6-5.
Ronnie started well, with a century. But Stephen was determined to prove that he can still play, and prove it, he did! He won 4 frames on the trot to lead 4-1, with a 115 in frame 5 (it could have been a 142 TC). Ronnie responded with 69, to reduce his deficit, only for Stephen to restore his 3 frames advantage and lead 5-2. With his back against the wall, Ronnie produced and forced a decider. Ronnie was first in the decider, and lead by 64. He was on a maxi attempt (not for the first time that evening!). His only option to keep the break going at that stage was a tricky plant in a middle bag. He missed it. Stephen came to the table with 83 on and nothing really safe. He duly cleared with 78 to win.
This was by far the best Stephen has been playing for a very long time. It’s absolutely clear to me that his pride has been hurt by the poor performances he produced in the Seniors World Championship last season, and in exhibitions. I have no doubt that he is out to put things right! The competitive animal has woken up.
Ronnie on the other hand was clearly in exhibition mood. He went for I-don’t-know-how-many maxi attempts during the evening, at the expense of winning at all costs but to the delight of the crowd. He was also in a hurry … helping Desislava Boshilova to reset the balls between frames, and even taking the white gloves away from her and offering her his cue for the break-off. She left Stephen in an absolutely horrific situation! Both players signed autographs for the fans.
The probable reason for Ronnie’s “hurry” became clear to me when, after the match, his first word coming back to the player’s room was “food!”. More pictures of food can be found on Ronnie’s instagram, along with some funny/silly selfies with matching comments.
Here are the pictures I took on the evening:
The match was streamed on sportal.bg so maybe the videos will become available later today. Watch this space.
Here is a short clip about the show
Today, we all head to Varna for another great night of snooker.
Ronnie O'Sullivan 