Welsh Open

FR01 · 10-02-2020 2:15pm #1

The tour heads to Cardiff with the first days play at the Welsh Open from Cardiff. Always a good tournament and the majority of players always enter.

Here’s the match schedule, all live as usual on Eurosport

http://livescores.worldsnookerdata.com/Sessions/Tournament/14098/manbetx-welsh-open-2020

El_Duderino 09 · 10-02-2020 3:35pm

The camera angle is crap to make room for the sponsor. and you can't even see the sponsor.

There must be a better way to do it. A hologram maybe or just have the sponsor always on screen on the score banner.

zuutroy · 10-02-2020 4:08pm

Ronnie needs at least a semi-final here or barring him reaching the final of the Shootout, that'll likely be the last we see of him until Sheffield. Half convinced he might be better off having the break.

Joe_ Public · 10-02-2020 6:27pm

Ken could definitely do with winning a few quid if he's anxious to keep the card. Mark King been poor this season so its got to go down as a winnable match this evening.

waynescales1 · 10-02-2020 8:28pm

Also on BBC Wales and BBC Red Button.

FR01 · 10-02-2020 9:00pm

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Ken could definitely do with winning a few quid if he's anxious to keep the card. Mark King been poor this season so its got to go down as a winnable match this evening.

Ken flying so far - 2 up and coasting in the 3rd. Hope I haven’t put the hex on him now !!

waynescales1 · 10-02-2020 10:04pm

4-1 Ken.

Probably playing Higgins in Round 2.

FR01 · 11-02-2020 4:01pm

A 147 by Wilson in the first frame of his match. Not a bad way to start !

weemcd · 11-02-2020 5:34pm

Wilson started great today, it's been a while since I've seen a 147, have there been any this year so far?

Page is hanging in rightly at 2-2 to be fair to him.

Joe_ Public · 11-02-2020 6:07pm

Not sure if thats No.6 or No.7 this season, tom ford & stuart bingham have had a couple each. Fair to say the £1m bonus is looking just a tad unlikely at this stage!

Inviere · 11-02-2020 7:04pm

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Fair to say the £1m bonus is looking just a tad unlikely at this stage!

Leyton-Orient-v-Peterborough-United-Sky-Bet-League-One-Semi-Final-Second-Leg.jpg

waynescales1 · 11-02-2020 8:49pm

Fergal knocked out in Round 1, beaten 3-4 by Mark Joyce.

Started at 11:30am and finished just before 5pm? For a 7 frame match? Textbook Fergal.

El_Duderino 09 · 11-02-2020 9:04pm

waynescales1 wrote: »

Fergal knocked out in Round 1, beaten 3-4 by Mark Joyce.

Started at 11:30am and finished just before 5pm? For a 7 frame match? Textbook Fergal.

I can see why Barry hearn bullies the slow players. Nobody wants to see that. Even if it was a top quality safety battle between Ronnie and Trump it would be too long. And I've seen fergal play against Jimmy White in a qualifier in Barnsley in 2018 and it was poor. Highest break in the few frames I saw was 14.

I saw rod lawlor in the background on TV yesterday. He's another one nobody would want to watch.

I'm not saying they shouldn't do what they do. Just saying I can see why Barry doesn’t want them on tv. He’s trying to sell exciting snooker so keep those boys off screen.

Joe_ Public · 11-02-2020 9:39pm

If hearn is that concerned about slow play then in my view he should talk about introducing an effective rule to tackle it rather than talking about the players themselves. I dont know if referees ever issue warnings for slow play, just i cant recall seeing it happening and that includes selby taking 6 minutes over a single shot recently. There is no onus on players to change their style just to please hearn that i can see.

waynescales1 · 11-02-2020 9:54pm

Just to clarify I wasn't making a derogatory comment about Fergal. I actually feel an odd sense of pride towards Fergal's endless patience and determination.

Joe_ Public · 11-02-2020 10:52pm

Fergal isnt the quickest to put it mildly. I remember the story about the late Johnny Lyons of radio fame giving an update on Fergal playing Steve Davis in the irish masters. "The score stands at 3-2 to davis," he said, before adding, "that's points, not frames!"

But i agree totally with that line about patience. Thats his game. Its not that he spends more time over shots than every other player, just that he avoids risky pots and is happy to see frames developing tactically, pink & black tied up, colours on cushions etc. Thats why i think he seems to be involved in more marathon contests than other players. Whatever, it works for him. In terms of talent, i would have him down as an overachiever.

El_Duderino 09 · 12-02-2020 9:17am

Joe_ Public wrote: »

But i agree totally with that line about patience. Thats his game. Its not that he spends more time over shots than every other player, just that he avoids risky pots and is happy to see frames developing tactically, pink & black tied up, colours on cushions etc. Thats why i think he seems to be involved in more marathon contests than other players. Whatever, it works for him. In terms of talent, i would have him down as an overachiever.

That's an OK strategy to get by as a journey man. But he'll never get to the later stages of events playing like that.

I can Completely see why Hearn would much prefer to give a fresh young lad a tour card than have Fergal clogging up a table for 6 hours in a best of 7 match.

FR01 · 12-02-2020 10:32am

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Fergal isnt the quickest to put it mildly. I remember the story about the late Johnny Lyons of radio fame giving an update on Fergal playing Steve Davis in the irish masters. "The score stands at 3-2 to davis," he said, before adding, "that's points, not frames!"

But i agree totally with that line about patience. Thats his game. Its not that he spends more time over shots than every other player, just that he avoids risky pots and is happy to see frames developing tactically, pink & black tied up, colours on cushions etc. Thats why i think he seems to be involved in more marathon contests than other players. Whatever, it works for him. In terms of talent, i would have him down as an overachiever.

The fact that he won the British Open and was a Masters finalist alongside several appearances at the World Championship. Yes he’s not the most attractive of players to watch but he used what talent he had and made a decent enough career out of it.

Look at Peter Ebdon, he didn’t exactly set the snooker world alight with numerous ranking titles but then changed his game to suit himself and not his opponents and duly won a UK and world title. Talent will only get you so far but grit and determination get you over the line.

However the less said about Rod Lawlor the better 😀

Joe_ Public · 12-02-2020 10:34am

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

That's an OK strategy to get by as a journey man. But he'll never get to the later stages of events playing like that.

I can Completely see why Hearn would much prefer to give a fresh young lad a tour card than have Fergal clogging up a table for 6 hours in a best of 7 match.

I dont know tbh. Fergal is heading towards 50 at this stage, has been on tour over 25 years and done well with the talent he had. There were definitely more talented irish snooker players around the time he turned pro, just none with his attitude and work rate. If he loses his card well thats it, I'm sure he'll give a good fight for it, nothing much to do with what hearn wants i dont think.

Joe_ Public · 12-02-2020 10:46am

FR01 wrote: »

The fact that he won the British Open and was a Masters finalist alongside several appearances at the World Championship. Yes he’s not the most attractive of players to watch but he used what talent he had and made a decent enough career out of it.

Look at Peter Ebdon, he didn’t exactly set the snooker world alight with numerous ranking titles but then changed his game to suit himself and not his opponents and duly won a UK and world title. Talent will only get you so far but grit and determination get you over the line.

However the less said about Rod Lawlor the better ðŸ˜€

Agree on all that. I liked what murphy said about fergal during one of the tournaments recently, when he explained how he was struggling despite the fact he was working hard and doing lots of practice and fergals first words were "double it". There is a lot of respect for him out there.

I'm sure if he wasnt irish or such a great guy, i mightnt have such time for him. But there you go.

Joe_ Public · 12-02-2020 12:35pm

Watching selby 3-1 vs Chen Zifan. The standard of this match is woeful, mcmanus on commentary is giving chen a hard time but selby hasnt been much better.

FR01 · 12-02-2020 12:50pm

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Watching selby 3-1 vs Chen Zifan. The standard of this match is woeful, mcmanus on commentary is giving chen a hard time but selby hasnt been much better.

It’s pretty grim all right, Chen looking a very average player, no surprise he’s only won 6 matches in the last two seasons !

Joe_ Public · 12-02-2020 1:01pm

FR01 wrote: »

It’s pretty grim all right, Chen looking a very average player, no surprise he’s only won 6 matches in the last two seasons !

Hard for him on a tv table, but reality is he's obviously not good enough and he's far from only one at basement end of rankings. Saw a stat before UK that 12 players on tour hadnt won a match all season, not sure where it stands now. No idea how those guys make it pay.

Chalk McHugh · 12-02-2020 2:53pm

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

That's an OK strategy to get by as a journey man. But he'll never get to the later stages of events playing like that.

I can Completely see why Hearn would much prefer to give a fresh young lad a tour card than have Fergal clogging up a table for 6 hours in a best of 7 match.

Never mind getting to the latter stages of tournaments, Fergal seems to go out in the first round of 90% of tournaments. Surely he should be winning a few more matches than that every year? His brutal record in recent years is embarrassing imo. And i see Fergal around and like him as a person.

Chalk McHugh · 12-02-2020 2:55pm

Trump easing to victory against a very poor looking Billy Castle.

Joe_ Public · 12-02-2020 3:14pm

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Never mind getting to the latter stages of tournaments, Fergal seems to go out in the first round of 90% of tournaments. Surely he should be winning a few more matches than that every year? His brutal record in recent years is embarrassing imo. And i see Fergal around and like him as a person.

Well, this season - not his best it has to be said - he's played 11 tournaments and lost first round in 7 so its not quite 90%, and he wont be happy with it, but i dont see why its "embarrassing" either. Nobodys claiming he's the best pro that ever lived, keeping his card at this stage would be acceptable season and he's not far off doing that, needs one more decent result, getting to crucible would seal it if he could manage it. Dont know what expectations people have of him frankly. Should ken be embarrassed too? His results arent a whole lot better.

Chalk McHugh · 12-02-2020 4:13pm

Whats his record going out in first or second rounds over the last decade? Very high no doubt. Yes he's making a living but his results are atrocious for a long time at this stage. So many tournaments these days that you'd think he'd put a small winning run together in one of them. So many players like Anthony Hamilton and Mark King getting to and winning ranking finals in recent years. Fergal got to a Masters final decades ago so there's a good player there somewhere its just disappointing he never puts a few wins together with all the oppurtunities he has. And i doubt there's many neutrals queing up to attend his matches as the grinding, slow play is a little off putting.

Chalk McHugh · 12-02-2020 4:15pm

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Well, this season - not his best it has to be said - he's played 11 tournaments and lost first round in 7 so its not quite 90%, and he wont be happy with it, but i dont see why its "embarrassing" either. Nobodys claiming he's the best pro that ever lived, keeping his card at this stage would be acceptable season and he's not far off doing that, needs one more decent result, getting to crucible would seal it if he could manage it. Dont know what expectations people have of him frankly. Should ken be embarrassed too? His results arent a whole lot better.

Ken isn't there on merit. Am i right in saying he was given a wild card to make the tour along with Jimmy White? If thats the case i dont think he should be there at all.

waynescales1 · 12-02-2020 4:18pm

Cut the tour to 64 players, do away with best of 7s, problem solved.

Chalk McHugh · 12-02-2020 4:25pm

Ive no problem with the 128 on tour or whatever it is. If they can allake a living good luck to them. I dont believe in any players getting special privileges or wiild cards. Get there on merit or dont get there at all.

Joe_ Public · 12-02-2020 4:30pm

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Ken isn't there on merit. Am i right in saying he was given a wild card to make the tour along with Jimmy White? If thats the case i dont think he should be there at all.

He did get the wild card though it expired before last season so he did at least retain it this time on results. I dont like the business of them myself, as you have hearn prattling on about players having to earn their keep while at the same time handing a card out to a guy just because he's a mate.

As for fergal, it depends how you view it. Someone mentioned journeyman above and i doubt he'd take that description as a huge insult. If you asked people involved in irish snooker in 80s/90s who was going to be next best irish player after ken, i doubt many would have put fergal in their top 5. There were many others blessed with far greater talent who never made it. I just look at his overall career in that context, he's had good times and bad but is still in there fighting to stay in the game at nearly 48. Thats more than ok in my book.

Joe_ Public · 12-02-2020 4:35pm

waynescales1 wrote: »

Cut the tour to 64 players, do away with best of 7s, problem solved.

I'd be for that. You could have a really good secondary tour with a proper promotion/relegation system. They should have concentrated on building up the tour, developing more quality players before thinking about a 128 tour. Big mistake imo but hearn basically does what he wants.

waynescales1 · 12-02-2020 4:40pm

I think many lower ranked players might prefer it too. On a “B” tour they’d play far more matches, get deeper into tournaments, against players of their standard, giving them a proper chance to develop. Longer matches too. What good is playing 1 match, losing 4-1, every 2 weeks.

Joe_ Public · 12-02-2020 4:51pm

Yeah. Too many players locked into a cycle of defeat, losing matches, making no money. Cant see any future in that. Billy Joe Castle won four matches all season, gets pasted by trump today. Nothing to be gained in that at all i think.

Chalk McHugh · 12-02-2020 5:04pm

I would never call Fergal a journeyman as he's a constant in the game for three decades. I'm just disappointed that he cant put a few wins together in some tournament for what seems like an eternity. He's obviously a good player so it makes it all the harder to understand his very poor record in the last decade. Would be nice to see him more on Eurosport, BBC or ITV getting to a semi final or quarter final or whatever. Instead of this early loss in nearly every tournament. I respect Fergal. He's doing something we would all love: playing snooker for a living. It would be a dream job for me. I'm sure we are all craving the next big snooker player from Ireland. It would be nice to row in behind the Lucan cueist and see him threaten a bit of a silverware for a change.

Chalk McHugh · 12-02-2020 5:07pm

Joe_ Public wrote: »

Yeah. Too many players locked into a cycle of defeat, losing matches, making no money. Cant see any future in that. Billy Joe Castle won four matches all season, gets pasted by trump today. Nothing to be gained in that at all i think.

I know playing Trump must be daunting but Billy Castles was so poor today i felt i could have knicked a frame off him myself. Some of his misses were scarcely believable. Highest break 31.

El_Duderino 09 · 12-02-2020 5:21pm

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

I would never call Fergal a journeyman as he's a constant in the game for three decades. I'm just disappointed that he cant put a few wins together in some tournament for what seems like an eternity. He's obviously a good player so it makes it all the harder to understand his very poor record in the last decade. Would be nice to see him more on Eurosport, BBC or ITV getting to a semi final or quarter final or whatever. Instead of this early loss in nearly every tournament. I respect Fergal. He's doing something we would all love: playing snooker for a living. It would be a dream job for me. I'm sure we are all craving the next big snooker player from Ireland. It would be nice to row in behind the Lucan cueist and see him threaten a bit of a silverware for a change.

I think you're describing a journey man. Been on tour but hasn't threatened silverware in decades...

I hear he's a good lad. Never heard anyone say a word against him personally. And I'd love to see him do well. But that's separate from him having been a journey man

Joe_ Public · 12-02-2020 5:36pm

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

I know playing Trump must be daunting but Billy Castles was so poor today i felt i could have knicked a frame off him myself. Some of his misses were scarcely believable. Highest break 31.

I only watched first couple of frames, he didnt get many chances and was 2-0 down in a flash, probably drained of confidence. Doubt he's that promising but tv table against world no.1, lot of players would underperform in those circumstances i reckon.

Chalk McHugh · 12-02-2020 5:42pm

The arena for this Welsh Open looks very nice i must say. Would like to attend one of the Home Nations this year or next. The Welsh is my preferred one and i do remember some good finals down the years.

Chalk McHugh · 12-02-2020 6:03pm

Mark Williams win 4-2. Be good to see him.have a run this week. Class act.

Chalk McHugh · 12-02-2020 6:12pm

A lot of the big names winning so far this week. Ronnie and Robertson both out later this evening. Tomorrow the field will be reduced from 32 to 8 with players having to play twice. 'Moving day' Goldstein called it. A snooker fest.

FR01 · 12-02-2020 7:06pm

Chalk McHugh wrote: »

Ken isn't there on merit. Am i right in saying he was given a wild card to make the tour along with Jimmy White? If thats the case i dont think he should be there at all.

Ken got a two year wild card and well deserved if you ask me, but that’s it if he doesn’t stay in the 64 then he can have no complaints. He’s done well and has a very lucrative contract with the BBC so he’ll be okay. Jimmy white in the other hand seems to get the wildcards for fun ! Perhaps it’s time for the Wind to call it a day ?

Chalk McHugh · 12-02-2020 7:38pm

Since 2010 John Higgins has won the Welsh Open a remarkable 4 times. With Ronnie winning twice. Other winners have been Stephen Maguire, Ding, Robertson and Stuart Bingham. Pretty impressive list of winners.

Chalk McHugh · 12-02-2020 7:59pm

Ken is playing Higgins now but it's only in the Eurosport Player. Pity it wasn't on after Ronnie's match instead of Robertson v Joyce.

zuutroy · 12-02-2020 7:59pm

Ronnie now going on like he cares about it and being all focused in his interview?!? Such a weird dude.

Chalk McHugh · 12-02-2020 8:02pm

Ronnie saying about playing Stuart Carrington that all players on the circuit are good and have their assets. Beats calling them numpties anyway😀

Chalk McHugh · 12-02-2020 9:33pm

Ronnie wins 4-2. Played well in patches. Carrington will rue missing a good chance to go 3-1 ahead but once Ronnie restored parity he never looked in bother.

Joe_ Public · 13-02-2020 2:37pm

Sheriff is making this interesting. Chance for 2-0, ronnie yet to pot a ball.

Joe_ Public · 13-02-2020 2:47pm

Sheriff misses his chance, ronnie clears. 1-1.

Joe_ Public · 13-02-2020 3:59pm

4-2 o'sullivan but far from straightforward. Hamilton had a decent chance to take it into decider but blew it.

corcaigh07 · 13-02-2020 4:30pm

1-0 Figueiredo against Trump, started with his highest pro break of 140. Class break, never out of position, all Trump did was break off.

Game on

Welsh Open

Comments