UK Championship 2011 Day 9 - Naughty Judd Trump is the New UK Champion

Judd Trump is the new winner of UK Championship by beating Mark Allen 10-8. Congratulations and good ending for this year!

A Passionate kiss on the beautiful trophy

Trump won the opener by 70 before Allen taking the next three to lead 3-1 with 56 and 141 at the interval. However, the match turned upside down to end the first session, Trump won all four frames after the mid session interval to lead 5-3 due to a few careless misses by The Pistol. Trump established a two-frame cushion before the final session at 8pm.

The 22-year-old from Bristol started the night session with a century 109. In the next frame, Allen started off with 40 but Trump cleared with 78 to lead 7-3. The Ace fired with 74 to extend his giant lead to 8-3 before Allen ended Trump's run of winning seven frames in a row with total clearance of 139 to trail 4-8 at interval. Allen won the first frame after interval with 129 but Trump reached the match point 9-5 with 76.

Allen gave an amazing fight back

This did not frustrate Allen, he continued his fightback with 125 and 95 to trail 8-9. Allen grabbed the first chance in frame 18 but was unlucky to see it rattle in the jaws and finish close to a baulk corner, leaving Trump an easy opener. Trump made no mistake again and 91 became his title-winning break. This title Judd Trump is the second ranking title of the year for Trump, after his first succeed in China in April. 

First UK title for Trump

"It feels amazing," said Trump. "It's an unbelievable feeling to win this tournament. I needed to step my game up and I did it. All week I've had support from my family and friends." Asked if he would celebrate with any 'naughty' behaviour, Trump added: ""I won't be naughty now until after the World Championship. I can't buy a Ferrari as I need to get my no claims bonus up, the insurance would not be pretty. But I'll have a brilliant Christmas and go into next year feeling positive. I can't wait for the Masters, to see what the atmosphere is like at Ally Pally.

The Runner-up but had an amazing fight back said: "I came here to win the tournament and I haven't done that, but at least I got over the semi-final hurdle. I have showed that I can handle the big occasion and that stands me in good stead."

Report From York: TRUMP SEALS UK TRIUMPH

JUDD Trump withstood a gritty fightback from Mark Allen to claim the UK Championship 10-8. - Suzy Jardine. York 

Never mind the two reality shows that were fast reaching their climaxes this was far more 

compulsive viewing with two men who definatley do possess the X Factor in their respective games.

Trump, who had eliminated two former world champions in Ronnie O'Sullivan and Neil Robertson to reach the final started strongly against Antrim's Allen as he took the first frame with a decisive break of 70 after Allen missed a red to the centre.

Allen, who was bidding to become the first man from Northern Ireland since the late Alex Higgins to win the title was not about to let Trump have it all his own way and replied with a 56 to level at 1-1. And the bookmakers who had listed Trump as 2-1 on to win the title could well have been thinking of revising their odds with a string of errors from Trump. Namely in taking on a long range red that missed, leaving the cue ball to cannon into the cluster of reds, leaving them scattered in emminently potable positions, leading to a fantastic clearance of 141 from Mark.

Allen then stretched his lead to two frames in the fourth frame which came right down to a duel on the colours which was settled when Judd's cueing led to the brown leaving the table. With the brown back on it's spot Allen cleared it and the blue to lead 3-1 at the mid session interval.

But then deja vu kicked in for Mark, and from 3-1 up he found himself sitting in his chair for rather longer than he may well have wanted as Trump took full advantage of a missed red to the centre to make a vital 52 that saw him cut his deficit to just one frame.

There was no holding Judd in this mini session as with bits and pieces he levelled at 3-3 and then rolled in breaks of 75 and 61 to translate his deficit into a 5-3 advantage and leave Allen in the same position he had been in against Ricky Walden. The question was - could Mark respond in the same fashion as he did against the Englishman.

The answer was a no as despite having the first opportunity Allen ran out of position with just seven points on the scoreboard. Trump cpming to the table replied with a textbook break of 109. Trump leading 6-3 and the UK title was slipping away for Mark.

To make matters worse having engineered an opportunity of a maximum for himself Allen could only look on helplessly when his long red to the yellow pocket failed to drop. A 40 points lead was soon whittled away by Trump who hammered in a 78 to stretch his lead to 7-3.

The strain was telling on Mark and when he missed a straight red to the corner from the baulk line the spectre of defeat was looming large, and Allen could only sit and watch as Judd capitalised on his mistake, this time with a 74 to leave Mark needing two snookers. He found one as Judd hit the pink to elicit six penalty points, bad with four reds left and the colours well placed for snookering Judd knew he could not afford any slip ups. Allen was trying everything he could think of- even to the point of sitting in Judd's chair. It was to be all in vain as Trump drilled in a long straight red to move five frames clear. Three of the first four frames of the evening session had gone to Judd who was just two frames from victory.

Allen badly needed the final frame before the mid session interval and he was in first with a long straight red and chipped in with a clearance of 139 to close to 4-8. Having lost seven straight frames it was a courageous response from the Antrim professional as he and Judd left the arena for the mid session interval.

And the four frame deficit was further reduced when Judd's powerfully strike on the cue ball sent a red crashing off the table. With the balls kindly placed it was Allen who confidently struck back with a 133 to remind Judd he was far from finished.

But Trump remained unruffled and after a miss on a red hammered in a 76 to re-establish the four frame gap. At 9- 5 Judd required just one more frame for victory. Still Mark refused to surrender, instead he rolled in a break of 125. The quality of the snooker from both players was outstanding, and a marvellous advert for the sport.

There was further drama to come as Trump, who looked set for victory after an outrageous fluked red missed a red along the top cushion. Allen countered with 27, but in trying to double the final red missed it. The red though rolled away to safety, and seconds later Mark was back at the table, clipping in the red that Judd had left sitting over the middle pocket as he cleared to the pink to close to 9-7.

Another chance went begging for Judd in frame seventeen when he ran out of position on 32. And after a bungled safety that left the Antrim man among the balls Allen confidently stroked in a 95. Judd's lead, which had been 8-3 and 9-5 had plunged to 9-8.

But it is also a testament to Judd's strength of character that he was able to withstand such a tenacious and gutsy fightback when he pounced on a simple red that Allen had left in attempting a deep screw shot and slowly but surely inched his way to a match winning break of 91 to seal a momentous victory of 10-8 against a gallant opponant.

Nevermind who won X Factor. Snooker once again remains the best reality show, at once again was the main winner tonight here in York.

UK Championship 2011 Day 8 - Symbolic Victory For Allen to through to Final

Mark Allen beaten Ricky Walden by 9-7 from 3-5 behind to through to his first ranking final.

Symbolic victory for Allen

Allen took the scrappy first frame cleared from the last red to final pink. Walden made an quick response by giving a beautiful 124 clearance to level 1-1. However, Allen took the next three with 85 and 54 to go 3-1 up at the interval. Walden grabbed important frame 5 which might be the turning of the match - Walden missed easy black at 60 to let Allen it but Allen had the cueball off when he was on the final green to miss the chance going 4-1 up. Walden won the next to level 3-3 with 66, the game is still on. Confidence of Walden was boosted he took the last two as well to lead 5-3 to end the first session.

Walden should be proud of his effort this week

Allen stormed to win the first two frames of the night with 43 and 79 without missing a ball. Two frames advantage of Walden was gone but he had a chance to be 6-5 up but he missed a crucial brown at 60 which allowed Allen to clear to lead again. Allen took all four frames before interval to go 7-5 up on Walden. Allen reached the match point after Walden pull one back. The Northern Ireland player looked to set to win the match at 54 but Walden gripped the lifeline with clearance of 65 to trail 7-8. Allen  did not hang loose winning the big match with 70. He will play Trump in the final tomorrow.

This is a symbolic victory for Allen. Allen has not yet through to a ranking final in his five attempts before. This time he made it through to the final. This will be an awesome and all-attacking-snooker final. Two left-handers, who will be the new winner of UK Championship? Find out the answer tonight.  

UK Championship 2011 Results/Draw, Live Streaming & Match/TV Schedule

Report From York: ALLEN'S BURST SHATTERS WALDEN'S DREAMS

MARK Allen stormed into the UK Championship final after a commanding performance in the evening session against Ricky Walden. (Suzy Jardine - The Barbican, York)

But Allen did not have everything his own was in a match that see-sawed between with both men enjoying periods of domination.

Allen held a 3-1 advantage at the mid session interval as he took the opener and then followed with breaks of 85 and 54, with Walden interrupting the Allen avalanche with a break of 124 in frame two.

But then the match started to turn as Allen misssed a red to the centre to allow Walden a look at the table. From it Walden made 60. It looked for all of the world that the Chester man would complete the formalities, only to miss the black off the spot. With the balls kindly placed it looked as if Allen would punish Walden for what was a schoolboy error. Only to leave tongues hanging out of our mouths in disbelief as he went in off the green into the centre pocket in clearing up the colours. With this timely reprieve Walden made sure of the frame with green to blue to trail 3-2.

Buoyed up by this piece of good fortune Walden took full advantage of Allen's mistakes in the sixth frame as he left a red tot he corner. Walden swooped and fired in a 66 to level at 3-3. There was no holding Walden now as he capitalised on a red left along the top cushion by the Antrim man to fire in a 98, and then moved 5-3 ahead with a sublime 127 to end the session with a two frame advantage.

After seeing a 3-1 advantage disintergrate into a 3-5 deficit Allen knew he had to immediately reduce his arrears on his return for the evening session. A 43 made the initial running before bits and pieces helped him over the line and within one frame of Walden. And that deficit was swiftly wiped out minutes later as Allen took full advantage of a safety mistake to rattlle in a 79 to square the match at 5-5.

Allen was first in with a 35 in frame eleven only to miss a red to the centre. He then lost out in a safety battle and left Walden a chance.Taking a red to the centre Ricky made progressed to 60, and then came a key moment as he lined up the brown to the centre from behind the baulk line. He could only look on in horror as the brown hit the knuckle and stayed out. Allen was back at the table and made no mistake in dispatching the last few colours to lead 6-5.

And 6-5 very quickly became 7-5 as Allen's 64 accounted for the twelfth frame. Allen had captured the first four frames of the night. And Walden was now back in the same position he had been earlier in the match. Two frames adrift, and time running out for the Chester professional.

The mid session interval could not have come at a better time for Ricky as it allowed him some respite from the onslaught. On his return he he fired in a 52 - only to miss a routine red to the corner. To make matters worse he left it in an emminently potable position for his opponant. 

Seconds later our jaws were sagging as Allen missed and Walden pieced together enough points to scramble over the line and cut the deficit to 7-6.

But Allen soon re-asserted himself as a shot to nothing saw him make 43 and a 33 put him within one frame of victory at 8-6. Walden had revived his ambitions in the match earlier with a four frame burst. Now he needed a three frame one to stay in contention.

It seemed as if Allen was about to complete victory as he found himself among the balls on a 54, only to miss a red to the centre. For Ricky it was now or never and with great care and attention compiled a 65 to rescue the frame and stay in contention at 8-7.

But all of Ricky's hard work was undone in the following frame when an horrific miss on a red to the corner presented Allen with a golden chance to complete victory. And this time he was not to be denied as a controlled break of 70 saw him through to the final with a 9-7 victory and a meeting with Judd Trump.

Report From York: TRUMP ACES ROBERTSON

It is the first report from York by our exclusive journalist Susan Jardine! Over to you, Susan. 

JUDD Trump booked himself a place in the final of the UK Snooker Championship after a 9-7 victory over a disappointing Neil Robertson.

Trump, who sent Robertson packing in the opening round of the World Championship earlier this year started as he had left off against the Australian with a break of 47. Back though came Robertson, determined to make Judd scrap for everything. The Australian counter finished on 60 which sent the opening frame to a battle of the colours. It was settled when Robertson left the blue hanging over the centre pocket and Trump helped himself to the opener.

Building on this the Bristol man dominated the second with a break of 84 to lead 2-0. Robertson badly needed to take the third if he was to stay in contention. The former world champion, lacking his usual fluency finally scrambled over the finishing line to reduce his arrears to 2-1. Encouraged Neil took the fourth with breaks of 49 and 67 to level the match at 2-2 at the mid session interval.

With the match perfectly poised it was Judd who re-established himself by taking the fifth frame with a break of 43 after Robertson's rash attempt at along red only succeeded in scattering the reds into pottable positions. The Australian though , who has never won this title was not going anywhere without a fight and retaliated with a 105 clearance, to remind Judd that any errors such as a missed mid length red would be severely punished.

The see saw routine continued as Trump edged in front at 4-3 with an audacious plant for what was to be a decisive 69, leaving Robertson needing snookers, which he was destined not to find and the concession of the frame duly came. So with one frame to be played before the mid session interval Judd was in the position of knowing that he would either be level or two frames in front. Which was it to be.

The answer was swift and clincial as Robertson hammered in a 77 break to end the session at 4-4 and set up an intriguing evening session.

Resuming it was Neil who appeared to have wrested the initiative as he fired in a 56, only to leave the final red sitting over the corner pocket. Helping himself to the lifeline thrown to him Trump struck a 33 to clear up and pinch the frame. A frame that Robertson should have won. Now, 4-5 behind he needed a swift and sharp response.

It seemed as though Robertson would soon level at 5-5. Trump's long red to the corner wobbled in the jaws and stayed out. Even worse the cue ball travelled back up the table and left Robertson with an easy starter. It was a gilt edged chance that ended on 36 when the Aussie was forced into safety. As Trump countered the scores were delicately poised at 37-36 in favour of Robertson. Two reds left on the table and it was Trump who erred as he left a red sitting over the corner pocket. Yet as Robertson cued the shot the red wobbled in the jaw and stayed out. Trump hardly daring to believe his good fortune stepped in and cleared to the green. All he needed was the frame ball brown. He missed it and Robertson held his nerve to sink the brown. Next up was the blue. In cutting it to the centre Robertson saw the blue hit the knuckle. But he was fortunate as the cue ball travelled towards the corner pocket and was covered by the pink. Chances were going begging and with the scores 54-52 it became a black ball game that was settled when Robertson finally nailed the black and let rip with a fist pump and a cry of "Come On".

But still Robertson couldn't finish off a frame in one visit. He should have wrapped up the eleventh when well in with a 42. But his inability to finish a frame off was to cost him again as Trump cleared up to lead 6-5

Trump dominated the twelfth frame with a break of 73- after Robertson had left a red sitting ober the corner pocket. For the first time since the opening two frames Trump had a two frame buffer at 7-5. And he needed just two more for victory.

The power of fate seemed to be against Robertson as a break of 49 came to an abrupt end when a kick in cueing the red resulted in the cue ball going off. Taking a red to the centre Judd confidently dispatched a quickfire 26 before leaving Robertson snookered on all four remaining reds. But this time it was Judd who erred and left Neil a chance of a red to the centre. Grabbing it he knocked in a vital 18 to leave Judd looking for snookers which he was not to find.

With the pace of the match slowing it was developing into a tactical battle as well. A re-recked 13th frame ended with Robertson finally forcing a mistake from Trump. Sinking a mid length red Robertson showed more like his usual fluency in firing in a break of 83 to level at 7-7. Effectively the match was now the best of three.

But could Robertson sustain it. Initially the answer appeared to be yes as well placed among the balls he could only make seven before overcutting a red to the centre. With the chance now in Judd's hands he calmly with a break of 51 before missing the frame ball red. But Judd was not to be denied and drilled in a long red and followed up with the pink and a red to move to within one frame of victory.

With the scores poised at 37-36 in favour of the Englishman Robertson knew he couldn't afford anymore mistakes. But he left a straight red to the corner and Judd seized his chance. The red disappeared and followed with the oink and the final red and a blue to arrive at the colours. The yellow, awkwardly placed on the cushion disappeared and Trump duly completed the formalities to the pink to seal a nerve jangling victory and set up a final with Mark Allen or Ricky Walden.

Suzy Jardine - The Barbican, York.

UK Championship 2011 Day 7 - Trump Sunk Robertson to reach first UK final

Judd Trump beaten Neil Robertson by 9-7 to reach his first UK Championship Final. This is the second major ranking final he reached after World Final in May this year. Congratulations!

Trump sank Robertson to reach his first UK Final

The match started with a very tight opening frame which Trump potted blue and pink to win it, followed by a 84 break to allow Trump being 2-0 ahead of Robertson. The Australian took the scrappy third frame and 67 in fourth to level 2-2 before mid session. After the mid session, the two players won frames alternately to go all square 4-4 to end the first session. Trump made 69 while Robertson made 105 and 77.

In the first frame of the second session, Trump took the advantage again to lead 5-4 although Robertson made 56.  Robertson shook his both fists and shouted 'Come on!' after winning the frame 10 on the final black. This action did not affect the 22-year-old from Bristol to win the next two frames with 73 to go 7-5 at the mid session, extending his advantage to two frames for second time. 

Errors were costly

Robertson gripped Trump to win frame 13 with beautiful pot to a centre pocket and the re-rack frame 14 to equalize the scoreline 7-7. The mistake that Robertson made in the following frame was costly which allowed Trump to get the match point, 8-7. Again the poor safety from Robertson let Trump to in with a cracking long pot to seal the 9-7 victory. 

Trump: Neil tried to slow it down and make it awkward for me

"Neil tried to slow it down and make it awkward for me," said Trump. Trump reached the World Final in May this year but lost to Higgins, he aimed at the title for Christmas, "I felt under more pressure than I did at the Crucible. This is a big tournament and it would be nice to end the year on a high. I have learned from the World final and I will be patient this time. To win £100,000 would be perfect in time for Christmas."

Robertson congratulated Trump for his win

Robertson said: "Judd is a difficult player to trap because you want him to go for risky balls, but then sometimes he knocks them in. I'm disappointed because I fancied the job. I probably missed four pressure balls and that cost me. I hold my hands up as I feel as if I threw it away."

UK Championship 2011 Results/Draw, Live Streaming & Match/TV Schedule

UK Championship 2011 Day 6 - Naughty Trump into Semi-Finals

Judd Trump, Neil Robertson, Ricky Walden and Mark Allen are the final four of UK Championship 2011. None of them have ever won a UK title, so we will have a new winner this year. 

Naughty Judd

Judd Trump is the first man through to the semis, he beaten Stephen Maguire by 6-3. Trump lead Maguire with two centuries by 5-1 but Maguire trailed to stay in the match 3-5. Trump did not do Maguire a favour and end the match with his third century of the match, 120 to book his place in semi-finals.

Trump said: "I want to play naughty snooker. It's a hard thing to describe and define. All I can say is that sometimes when I play a shot I just know it was so good it was a bit naughty. "It's great to be the favourite, I don't feel any extra pressure. Playing Neil will be tough, he creates a lot of chances with his long potting and I have to be better. Following talk of retirement from Ronnie O'Sullivan and Ali Carter this week, Trump also joked that: "this tournament will be my last so I want to go out on a high!"

Robertson will play Judd in semis

Neil Robertson followed Trump's footstep to book the second place in semi-finals. He beaten China's Ding Junhui by 6-2, thanks to the key important frame six to help him being ahead of Ding 4-2. "Ding is one of the best players, but you know what he is going to do," said Robertson, who has won six ranking events and never lost a final. "He is predictable. With Judd you just do not know what is going to happen next on the table.

Ricky Walden saw off Shaun Murphy by 6-3. A break of 55 helped put Walden 4-2 up, and he added frame seven after Murphy missed a sitter of a green when poised to clear up. Another error from Murphy early in frame nine let Walden in for a calm 71 which saw him into the UK semis for the first time.

Walden into semis

Walden said after his victory, "Towards the end I was trusting my cue action but I was a bit nervous. It does help that I've won a tournament before because I can draw on those memories, especially as I have beaten the top players in the past. It means everything for me to get to the semi-finals because I've been working hard throughout my career. I still want to go further."

Photo by Monique Limbos

Mark Allen beaten Hong Kong's Marco Fu to join the other three boys in the semi-finals. Allen was once 4-2 up on Fu but Fu took the next three frames to go 5-4. However, the calm and solid break-building helped Allen to force a decider and even win the match. Allen reached the semi-finals for the second consecutive year. Allen will play Walden in the semis, "Ricky is playing well, he is a tournament winner who has shown he can play well on the big occasion."

The semi-finals will be best of 17 which play in two sessions instead of the best of 11.

UK Championship 2011 Results/Draw, Live Streaming & Match/TV Schedule

UK Championship 2011 Day 5 - Shaun Murphy Survived Gould Test

Down to the last day of last 16 of UK Championship, 2 matches for QFs are confirmed. Today we will know the remaining four players that will be the last 8.

Murphy survived Gould Test

The 2005 World Champion as well as the winner of tournament back in 2008, survived the tough test given by Martin Gould to win 6-4. The Magician had a great start for the match, leading 5-0 over Gould which was one frame away from the quarter-final spot. The Pinner Potter start his fight back with 133 to trail 1-5. After the 133 break, Gould won on the final black and to take the following two with 70 and 101. The last frame of the match that last 46 minutes was very tense, pressure were clearly shown on their pots. Eventually, Murphy potted a beautiful long yellow and cleared to the pink to win 6-4.

Gould's reaction after a poor shot in key moments of frame 10

The winner Murphy said, "I'm very, very pleased to have got through and when it mattered I managed to keep my composure. No disrespect to Martin but I played well in the first four frames and against anyone I would have been 3-1 or 4-0 up. My mistake was that I didn't carry that on after the interval and missed one ball and the game turned.Later Gould wished Murphy best of luck and would look forward their clash in first round of Masters in January.

Ricky Walden earned a 6-3 victory over Mark Williams, his best win in recent years since his ranking title of Shanghai Masters in 2008. Walden made his maximum last week in PTC 10 which may boost his confidence. The Chester's player went 3-0 ahead of Williams with 68, 81, 85 before The Welsh Potting Machine levelled 3-3. Walden grabbed the next two with 58 and 53 to reach the match point, and made 56 to win the match despite being 5-45 behind in the frame. Walden punched the air to celebrate his brilliant win.

Walden punched to celebrate

Walden said: "I'm very pleased to beat someone as good as Mark and get to my first (BBC) quarter-final - I'm over the moon. "The celebration at the end was for my dad as I can imagine how nervous he would have been up there. He would have been really happy with that. I'll try some somersaults if I win the tournament! It was nothing against Mark - it was just for my mum and dad.'' Walden will play Murphy in quarter-finals.

Allen with black tape across his mouth 

Mark Allen who involved in the press conference incident edged out Ali Carter by 6-2. Allen raised a few smiles in his post-match press conference by starting it with a piece of black tape across his mouth, but then took it off to say: "I was happy with the way I played before the interval. After that, Ali had chances to get back to 3-3, but I made a couple of good clearances to go 5-2 up. 

Hong Kong cueman Marco Fu stunned World Number 1 Mark Selby to reach the quarter-finals by a 6-3 win. Fu took the opening two frames before Selby levelled with 102. Selby grabbed a chance in frame 5 but broke down at 53, Fu nicked it with a clearance of 64. The Jester from Leicester reduced the gap to 3-4 but Fu taking the next two frames including 85 break in the last frame to clinch 6-3 victory. 

Fu shocked world number 1

Fu is excited with his win, "It's the first time I have beaten Mark in a big tournament and it gives me a lot of confidence. Anyone can win this tournament, it's wide open." Selby said: "I struggled all the way through and I don't know why. In my first match here I played great, but tonight nothing seemed to click. I had chances and I should have gone 3-2 up, but overall Marco played better than me and every credit to him. He has won tournaments before, and although he has been struggling recently, he is still good enough. I'm disappointed because it's a big tournament.'' 

UK Championship 2011 Results/Draw, Live Streaming & Match/TV Schedule

UK Championship 2011 Day 4 - Allen may face Disciplinary Hearing For Inappropriate Language

Mark Allen 'The Pistol' may face disciplinary hearing of WPSBA for his inappropiate language use in the press conference at UK Championship.

Allen may face disciplinary hearing

Quotes of World Snooker Statement released yesterday:

Following Mark Allen's use of inappropriate language in his press conference at the williamhill.com UK Championship, he has been referred to the WPBSA's disciplinary committee as he is in breach of tournament rules and could be charged with bringing the game into disrepute.

World Snooker's governing body, the WPBSA, expects its members to behave in a manner which is appropriate to their status as professional sportsmen. 

At a time when our sport is growing fast on a global scale and we are encouraging greater participation among young people, we expect players to be role models and take the issue of their behaviour very seriously. 

World Snooker will make no further comment until after the disciplinary hearing.

Quotes of Allen's speech in press conference after his first round match:

Allen said on Monday: "The players don't really matter, so **** the players. 

"Whenever Barry came in, one of the first things he said was that the World Championships, UK and Masters wouldn't be touched. Only 18 months later, the UK format has changed. 

"I don't think he's pleasing too many players, but anyone who voted for him has only got themselves to blame. I wasn't one of them." 

"I've got no doubt he'll tweak the World Championship. Barry's just there to make money for himself, it doesn't really matter about the players. The whole tradition of the game is going to pot," 

"It's not all about bringing people in to watch and have a good time, shouting and having a drink. 

"He (Hearn) needs to get away from the darts factor. It's getting close to that. I think in the long run he'll probably do good for snooker, but not for my generation. It's time to let someone else have a go."

 The Northern Ireland player's negative comment on the revolution of the game brought by World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn who had assumed the office last year. No doubt Allen is only one of the many players who have different view of point  against Barry Hearn, however, this could not change the fact of snooker going down slope. Here is the exclusive interview that done by On Q Promotions with Allen after the release of World Snooker Statement.

Judd Trump

Judd Trump edged out Ronnie O'Sullivan from 4-5 behind to beat The Rocket 6-5. Ding Junhui beaten Matthew Stevens in decider as well, he is now facing Neil Robertson who beaten Graeme Dott 6-3. Judd Trump's next round opponent will be Stephen Maguire, who knocked out the defending champion John Higgins 6-4.

UK Championship 2011 Results/Draw, Live Streaming & Match/TV Schedule

UK Championship 2011 Day 3 - Trump set up a meeting with O'Sullivan

Judd Trump set up a meeting with Ronnie O'Sullivan in the last 16 of UK Championship after beating Dominic Dale 6-4.

Judd Trump 

The Crucible finalist took the opener with 56 before Dale levelled with 118. The two players got alternate frames to go 2-2 before mid session. After mid session, The Spaceman was in command of the match, winning two frames to lead Trump by 4-2. The match is turned-on after Trump getting three flukes in frame seven that helped frustrating Trump to level 4-4. Trump later found his mood to beat Dale by 6-4 from 2-4 down with a few half centuries. Trump set up a clash with O'Sullivan in last 16.

Trump said in his post-match interview, "It would be nice to play well in every game and put a show on for the fans, but it doesn't work like that. I got a little impatient in that match. I've got to cut that out if I'm going to get close to Ronnie.'' "It's always going to be a big match against Ronnie, hopefully there will be a big crowd and a good atmosphere. It's nice to play Ronnie in the big events, you really get the buzz. He's playing his best snooker for a long time. I think he's feeling the best he's felt for four or five years. We'll both really be up for it.''

The Pistol Mark Allen who recently came out from the shadow of depression earned a 6-3 victory over Adrian Gunnell. Allen knocked good breaks in the match, had a run of 91, 77, 73, 68 and 56 to make his meeting against Ali Carter in the next round certain.

Mark Allen

The former world number one, currently the world number two Mark Williams survived a test from Joe Jogia, winning 6-4 despite leading 2-4. "I should have won a lot more easily, and in the end I was glad to get over the line," said Williams. "I played well early on, then my legs fell off in the middle of the match. If Joe hadn't miscued on that black, it could have been worse for me.'' Williams said.

Williams now faces Ricky Walden, who recently produced his first maximum break last week on PTC 10 that beaten seeded Stephen Lee by 6-3. "I'm very pleased, I played well in patches," said former Shanghai Masters champion Walden, who figured briefly among the top 16 last season. "I fell as if I can grow into the tournament and play better. 

UK Championship 2011 Results/Draw, Live Streaming & Match/TV Schedule

UK Championship 2011 Day 2 - Pre-Birthday Victory for O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan gave himself a pre-birthday present for his first round win over Steve Davis today, to secure his place in top 16.

Ronnie gave himself a pre-birthday present

O'Sullivan, who is going to turn 36 on Monday lost the first frame but won the next six to capture a 6-1 win over Davis. Ronnie made 54 but it did not stop Davis to take the opener with 54. The two World and UK Champions battled for the following two frames but The Rocket took off afterwards, making breaks of 123, 97, 62 and 53 to win 6-1. The Rocket grabbed the points to secure his place in top 16 temporarily but the tough is getting tougher for him, he may face Judd Trump in last 16.

Steve Davis was out in the first round

"I made a few decent breaks, all round it was pretty decent. When you get some confidence you can get some momentum going. But I'm just glad to be in next round, it was nice to get a win and get through." Ronnie said. Davis praised his opponent: "I still loved going out there and playing, but your heart goes out when you fall behind and you can see how well your opponent is cueing. He over-powered me. I think best-of-11s suit him because he gets going quickly. If he keeps playing like that he'll be hard to beat."

Excellent win for Hong Kong's cueman

Marco Fu was the first qualifier to through to last 16. He defeated Australian Goldfields Open Winner by the scoreline of 6-4 despite being 1-3 behind in the match. The turning points of the match came in the sixth frame, Fu was called foul at 61 when 59 is remaining on the table. However, Fu was thrilled to level 3-3 after Bingham missing the brown to clear. Fu will be playing world number one Mark Selby who gave Ryan Day a whitewash with 111, 90, 86 and 69 in quick-fire his win.

Selby whitewashed Day

Selby: 'I'm really happy with the way I played. I won two tournaments in China earlier this season but that feels like forever ago now. If I can keep playing well consistently then I can win more titles. "There are so many good players now so to be introduced into the arena as the World No 1 felt great. There's a lot of travelling on the circuit now which is tiring, but I enjoy playing snooker anywhere. A couple of years ago we were all crying out for more tournaments."

Ali Carter struggled today but still managed to beat Robert Milkins 6-4. Martin Gould will face Shaun Murphy after beating Peter Lines 6-3. Murphy played 19-year-old Chinese Li Yan, it was first TV match for Li in a full ranking tournament. The Young Man placed pressure on The Magician, leading 2-1 with 95. Li began his fight back plan when he was 3-4 behind Murphy but Murphy finished his job with 58 and 67.

Li Yan is praised by Murphy

 "It was a potential banana skin as Li looks a fantastic player, Rob Walker introduced him by saying he's beaten John Higgins and Mark Williams in PTC events this season. I didn't know that and it woke me up a bit at the start of the match." said 2008 UK Champion Murphy. "It must have been the biggest match of his career and he handled himself very well. He's the most naturally gifted player I've seen from China.

UK Championship 2011 Results/Draw, Live Streaming & Match/TV Schedule