Power Snooker 2011 - Gould defeated O'Sullivan to win Power Snooker

Martin Gould claimed Power Snooker Masters Trophy 2011 by beating Ronnie O'Sullivan by 268-258 in the final. Well done Martin! (Tournament results can be found here)

Gould claimed Power Snooker 2011 title

I still remember Gouldy said 'Money is no object to me' before his match against Stuart Bingham in quarter-finals and today he won it. This final is Gould's second final after PTC Grand Final in March this year, unfortunately losing Murphy 0-4. This time Gould held his nerve to win the first ever title in his professional career.

The Pinner Potter

Ronnie was once 234-138 up after the three racks but the turning point of the final came in the fourth. When the crowd thought that the defending champion would win the title again, Ronnie missed the power ball straight to the central pocket and Gould was back in. He caught the chance to make the match upside down, beating the defending champion by 268-258 to lift up the trophy.

Gould: "The trophy means a lot to me because it's my first. The money doesn't matter at all,"I've loved every minute of it. It's a different game but at least I know I'm cueing well, which bodes well for the next few tournaments.'' After losing a Power Snooker match for the first time, Ronnie congrated Martin: "he played a brilliant game. I had chances and missed a couple, he took advantage and held his bottle."

Ronnie was nearly out in the quarter-finals

Be honest Ronnie tried his best for the tournament because he was on the edge to be stopped by Graeme Dott in the quarter-finals. Dott led Ronnie for more than 100 points when the match was ten minutes away from the end. The miracle happened - Ronnie grabbed more than 100 points in just 6 minutes and potting the black to win 185-182. Later Ronnie even produced a victory 519-157 in semi-finals against Neil Robertson which kept the highest score of the event so far.

Great tournament

This is a very convincing tournament victory for The Pinner Potter. He defeated Judd Trump out of everyone's surprise in the first round and then Stuart Bingham, lastly the world number one Mark Selby in the semi-finals. A good start for Gouldy to look out for the coming ranking tournaments in the next two months.

The Jester is admirable

The spirit of Selby is admirable. He persisted in his way of playing Power Snooker: playing safety when he was holding advantage, and this strategy brought him the boo from the crowd. This winning tactics was widely used by players such as Selby and Robertson. I believe Selby was doing the right thing. There is nothing wrong with his action, not even breaking the rules. The audience should respect different types of players.

Power Snooker 2011 - Commentator O'Sullivan promoted to QFs

First day of Power Snooker Masters Trophy in Manchester, guest commentator and the defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was promoted to quarter-finals. (Results, TV and Match Schedule and Live Streaming can be founded here)

Guest commentator Ronnie for Power Snooker

The Rocket Ronnie O'Sullivan surprisingly made his guest appearance in the commentary box for the opening match of the event, Mark Selby v Matthew Stevens. Ronnie has done an awesome job to turn the match in the next level. His commentary received positive feedback from many fans, will he consider to become a member of the commentary team after his retirement? ;P

Selby looks great in red shirt :)

Back to the Selby v Stevens match, both players did not get use to the fast speed of the table although Selby played in the event last year. Stevens missed the very last chance to win the match in the last rack. Eventually the world number one Selby won the match by 243-196.

Mark Allen

Mark Selby is going to play Mark Allen in the quarter-finals who beaten John Higgins in the first round. Allen led Higgins by 85-45 after the first rack before being rewarded ball in hand for Higgin's foul in break-off shot of the second rack. Nevertheless, Higgins caught the chance left by Allen to trail 122-128. Allen potted Power Ball in the third rack to extend his lead for over 60 points. Hope of Higgins was gone when his cueball was off in the last minute of the match. Allen successfully defeated Mr. John Moustache by 255-177.

Gould impressed the audience as well as Trump

The Ace Judd Trump and Martin Gould entered the arena shortly to play their match. Trump was predicted as the winner of the match but the results varied from their expectations. Gould impressed the audience by striking Trump 332-229 to get through to next round. It was The Pinner Potter's showtime after the second rack, Gould built up his advantage for more than 130 points when only four minutes was left. There was no way turning back for Trump and Gould was the clear winner.

Stuart Bingham

Stuart Bingham set up a clash against Gould by beating Shaun Murphy 376-112. Bingham was in the complete control throughout the match. Stephen Lee beaten Mark Williams who has his ankle hurt early this week by 17 points difference.

This is Neil Robertson!

Neil Robertson was happy to beat Stephen Maguire by 238 - 174. His action on the above picture could tell you how excited he was! Ronnie O'Sullivan made it through after beating The Captain 335 - 245 after getting 24 foul points for a foul and miss. Carter once led The Rocket 111-8, 245-231 but he could not hold the Rocket. Ronnie said he was lucky to claim this victory. 

The Rocket

 The last match was brought you by runner-up of the event last year Ding Junhui and Graeme Dott. The match was pretty close and invovled number of safety shots. Ding closed the gap to 180-185 in the third rack but Dott potted Power Ball in the last rack to help him winning the match 288-182. 

Elite Top 16 Up For Power Snooker in Manchester

The elite top 16 players will play for the two-day Power Snooker Masters Trophy 2011 in Trafford Centre, Manchester starts from today. Results and live streaming links for Power Snooker are located below.

The defending champion 'The Rocket' Ronnie O'Sullivan will no doubt be picked as one of the players to win the championship this year. However with the more fierce competition which the number of players is doubled from 8 to 16 this year. Players in attacking style such as Judd Trump and Mark Allen are also seen as the hot picks.

9 reds with Power Ball in the middle

The rules of Power Snooker is still the same: 30-minutes match with 20s shot-clock which scores is counted instead of frames, nine reds only in diamond shape with a Power Ball in the middle.  Potting the Power Ball scores two points and triggers a two-minute Power Play, during which every ball potted counts double. The area behind the baulk line is the Power Zone – if the cue ball is struck from within the Power Zone, any ball potted counts for double and during a Power Play, quadruple. Player will be awarded ball in hand if his opponent play a foul shot. 

The first event last year was very entertaining and successful commercially. Some fans found it enjoyable but some were not happy about the noisy crowd and the format of the game itself. Will the event better with more players participate in?

Live coverage will be provided by ITV4. Match and TV Schedule is as followed: (Latest Results will be updated)

Live Streaming: http://www.sportlemon.tv/v-2/12/106/v-330659.html OR http://www.sportlemon.tv/v-2/12/108/v-330898.html (If the links are not working, please go to http://www.filmon.com/tv/flashmain/ --> Picking ITV 4 on the left)

Saturday: Live on ITV4 1pm – 4.30pm and 6.00pm – 9.30pm
1.10pm	Match 1	Mark Selby 241 - 196 Matthew Stevens
2.00pm	Match 2	John Higgins 177 - 255 Mark Allen
3.00pm	Match 3	Judd Trump 229 - 332  Martin Gould
4.00pm	Match 4	Shaun Murphy 112 - 376 Stuart Bingham
6.10pm	Match 5	Mark Williams 211 - 228 Stephen Lee
7.00pm	Match 6	Neil Robertson 238 -174 Stephen Maguire
8.00pm	Match 7	Ali Carter 245 - 335 Ronnie O’Sullivan
9.00pm	Match 8	Ding Junhui 182 - 288 Graeme Dott
Sunday: Live on ITV4 1pm – 4.30pm and 6.00pm – 9.00pm
1.10pm	Quarter-final 1	Mark Selby 398 - 56 Mark Allen
2.00pm	Quarter-final 2	Martin Gould 247 - 180 Stuart Bingham
3.00pm	Quarter-final 3	Stephen Lee 125 - 272 Neil Robertson
4.00pm	Quarter-final 4	Ronnie O'Sullivan 185 - 182 Graeme Dott
6.00pm	Semi-final 1	Mark Selby 246 -253 Martin Gould
7.00pm	Semi-final 2	Neil Robertson 157 - 519  Ronnie O'Sullivan
8.00pm	The final	Martin Gould 268 - 258 Ronnie O'Sullivan