Maybe it was John Spencer.
Jackie Rea RIP
Sidney, as a knowledgeable snooker follower, what are your memories of Jackie Rea?
WTF?
Woops, wrong log in there.
Fucks sake. 
The second most important snooker tournament in the world started today at the Barbican Centre in York. I’ve had a bet on the Jester Mark Selby at 9/1 to retain the crown he won in glorious fashion last year.
Sporting visionary Barry Hearn has expanded the tournament to include 128 players, so it will be even tougher than usual. 7 amateurs from the Q school have been given invitations including 15 year old Shane Castle from Southampton who faces a daunting task against Selby in round 1.
Irish interest rest with Ken Doherty, Fergal O’Brien and David Morris.
Absolutely huge shock tonight. World number 6 Marco Fu has been dumped out 6-5 by amateur Mitchell Travis. The Sheffield potter was one of 7 amateurs given a wild card and was given no chance against the bang in form Fu who had won in Australia earlier in the season and had lost in the final of the International Championships.
Ken Doherty suffered an agonising 6-5 defeat to world 97 John Astley. But there was better news for Fergal O’Brien who had a comfortable 6-2 victory over Alex Davies. And Kilkenny cueman David Morris produced another shock beating world 39 Jamie Cope 6-4. He now plays Peter Ebdon in the next round.
Great day for the two remaining Irishmen in the tournament. Fergal O’Brien got the ball rolling by beating world number 29 Mark King 6-3. He will almost certainly face a daunting task in the next round against Ding Junhui if the world number 4 can overcome the venerable James Wattana.
David Morris was in stunning form as he thumped former world champion Peter Ebdon 6-1. He faces either Marco Fu’s conqueror Mitchell Travis or Norwegian Kurt Maflin in the next round. He’s got a real chance of getting to the last 16.
Mark Selby is currently locked in a 4-4 battle with unknown Shane Castle. Could be another huge shock on the cards here.
Quarter final line up complete. Most noteworthy results in the Round of 16, Mark Allen beating Judd Trump and Ricky Walden beating Ding Junhui.
Line up for the quarter finals is:
Mark Selby v Barry Hawkins
Mark Allen v Ricky Walden
Neil Robertson v Stephen Maguire
Stuart Bingham v Ronnie O’Sullivan
Sad ending for David Morris as he was brushed aside 6-1 by Stuart Bingham. Still, the £12k cheque will do his confidence no harm. Watched the Selby game earlier and he produced a stunning clearance to pip the vile Graeme Dott in the 6th frame to go 4-2 up, he looks in good shape and his game against Hawkins should be a belter.
Ricky Walden played very well to defeat Ding and Mark Allen showed plenty of guts to come from behind to beat Judd Trump, that looks the pick of the 1/4s to me.
Ronnie O’Sullivan is out, he was beaten 6-4 by an inspired Stuart Bingham. He will face world #1 Neil Robertson in the semi after the Australian had a routine 6-2 victory over Stephen Maguire.
Walden beats Allen 6-2
Hawkins leads Selby 5-4 on the other table, cracking game it’s been.
[quote=“Sandymount Red, post: 870187, member: 1074”]Hawkins leads Selby 5-4 on the other table, cracking game it’s been.
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Only saw first 2 frames but the standard was atrocious
Selby rattles in a 77 to take us to a decider.
Selby wins an agonisingly tense final frame to complete the comeback from 5-3 down to take his place in the semi-final. Over 4 hours that game took.
Remarkable semi-final played earlier. Neil Robertson was 8-3 up and cruising into the final before Stuart Bingham produced a stunning comeback to level it at 8-8. The world #1 held his nerve however in the deciding frame to win 9-8.
Mark Selby defeats Ricky Walden 9-5 to advance to the final. It was a scrappy game punctuated by a superb 147 by the Jester in frame 7. The final black he knocked in to seal the maximum really was out of the top drawer. The world’s number 1 and 2 players in the final. Can’t ask for more than that.
[quote=“Sandymount Red, post: 870971, member: 1074”]Mark Selby defeats Ricky Walden 9-5 to advance to the final. It was a scrappy game punctuated by a superb 147 by the Jester in frame 7. The final black he knocked in to seal the maximum really was out of the top drawer. The world’s number 1 and 2 players in the final. Can’t ask for more than that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmNkAeZqHlY
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Selby has unbelievable mental strength. Probably not as naturally talented as some of the top pros, but none can match his will to win.