A number of weeks in the past, all ticket holders had been contacted by WST/Crucible Theatre Field workplace giving choices/intentions re our tickets for this years WC, ought to a crowd, albeit decreased, be allowed to attend. The federal government had been within the the method of planning a number of pilots of spectators returning to observe sporting occasions.

The three choices had been: 1. Attend this years WC, 2. Obtain a full refund or 3. Use your tickets for subsequent years WC.

I replied, advising that if doable, I wanted to attend this years WC. Due to this fact, I used to be delighted when it was introduced two weeks in the past that every one ticket holders that wished to take action, may attend.

Straightaway, I booked accommodations and trains and so on. Sadly, the elation and pleasure that adopted the announcement, was extraordinarily quick lived. Simply two hours into the morning session of day 1, Boris introduced that from Saturday (day 2) spectators wouldn’t be permitted and the remainder of the WC could be performed behind closed doorways, aside from possibly a handful of spectators for the ultimate.

So, for 4 months the on off saga was very a lot off. Nevertheless, no less than we nonetheless get to observe it on TV and the protection of each tables on BBC and Eurosport is terrific. An empty Crucible appears bizarre and appears to have an eery really feel to it. Nevertheless, this seems to go well with among the qualifiers who’re used to taking part in with little or no spectators in cubicles. Equally, some seeds additionally want these situations, specifically O’Sullivan and Gould.

We’ve seen some terrific matches and performances in spherical 1, with no fewer than 5 seeds tumbling on the first hurdle. Dave Gilbert, Jack Lisowski, Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen and Stephen Maguire all bowing out.

It’s a toss up between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Martin Gould for efficiency of the spherical. Ronnie destroyed Thepchaiya Un-Noo 10-1 in a document time of 108 minutes. Whereas Martin Gould beat Stephen Maguire, who was lots of peoples darkish horse, 10-3.

Jamie Clarke’s week simply acquired even higher. Two weeks in the past he went to the qualifiers on the EIS in Sheffield combating for survival, together with his tour card on the road. After victories over Mitchell Mann, Joe Perry and Sunny Akani he made it to the Crucible for his debut and beat the a lot fancied Mark Allen who was 1/16 fav, 10-8. Clarke now faces one other qualifier, Anthony McGill in spherical 2. Which suggests we could have a qualifier within the QF.

Anthony McGill towards Jack Lisowski went to a nail biting decider. It was an incredible second session which noticed McGill go 9-6 up earlier than a fast fightback from Lisowski to arrange the decider. After a collection of edgy misses, the match appeared to hinge on the blue. A collection of snookers had been performed earlier than McGill was left with a protracted nasty wanting blue. The blue was near the facet cushion and the white near the baulk cushion, however an insane pot from McGill left him plum on the pink to wrap up the match.

The opposite decider we had in Spherical 1 was between Ding Junhui and Mark King. Some robust gritty snooker from King noticed him drive the decider from 9-7 down, earlier than Ding squeezed by means of 10-9.

Judd Trump struggled early in his match with Tom Ford. Ford had the possibility of a 147 within the very first body earlier than breaking down on 97. He then surged right into a 5-2 lead earlier than Trump gained the final two frames of the session to path 5-4. In all honesty Ford’s probability of implementing the Crucible Curse upon Trump had gone then, as Trump went on to win 10-8.

John Higgins, Neil Robertson, Mark Selby and Barry Hawkins all had just about routine wins in spherical 1. Whereas Stuart Bingham and Yan Bingtao each gained 10-7, each had a number of worrying moments as their respective opponents Ashley Carty and Elliott Slessor each made comebacks from 9-4 and 9-2 down.

Anthony Hamilton cut up opinion following his extraordinarily late withdrawal for well being causes. Many individuals questioned his participation within the qualifiers. Whereas others had been of the opinion that he was entitled to play for kilos and factors. His opponent Kyren Wilson obtained a bye into Spherical 2, however will he be chilly towards an excellent assured and match sharp Martin Gould? An fascinating match up.

Some mouthwatering ties await because the draw opens up. The tie of Spherical 2 is definitely Ding Junhui v Ronnie O’Sullivan. Personally, I additionally suppose the Barry Hawkins v Neil Robertson match might be a cracker.

May we see a qualifier make it to the semis? Jamie Clarke, Kurt Maflin, Martin Gould, Noppon Saengkham and Anthony McGill will all be combating for it and who would guess towards them following their performances in Spherical 1.

I hope you could have loved studying and benefit from the snooker……..