World Snooker Championship 2023

Grace wasn't fancied to give Higgins much trouble here over the long match. One of the handier draws, think he was 2nd lowest ranked player in the last 32, ahead of Murphy's opponent.

But could prime Steve Davis have worn the current crop down? Frustrate the bejayus out them? One of Davis great achievements besides winning those two 6 WC. Was beating Ronnie in the 1997 masters final. Ronnie would have been about 22 and Davis about 40.

I think it was Alan McManus who said in an interview that he did not realise how good Steve Davis was until he played him - and everything was so precise down to the fractions with him.

John Higgins/Selby are probably the nearest to Davis in contemporary times. But obviously way heavier scorers as well.

Bring back the birch

FFS. Of all the places to make a protest.

Not sure play on table 1 will be possible. Without a re covering. Probably raise the wall and let table 2 play on.

Play resumes on Table 2, thanks mainly to Olivier Marteel. A lot of people wouldn't go near a protester for a number of reasons, but he was having none of it. A nurse from Belgium who referees snooker matches in his spare time, really cares about the sport, legend of a man.

I would say the authorities will make an example out of these clowns.

Those protestors deserve to be flogged and stocked on a public street for their little stunt at The Crucible this evening.

I honestly don't understand the motive in how this incident had to be played out on a snooker table of all places. I really don't get it at all.

Doing stuff like this does not get more people out to protest. It actually degrades the intention of your cause to increase your movement.

It ruins the spectacle of what is meant to be the biggest high profile snooker tournament in the world.

What were they protesting about? (I didn't turn on until 8pm so missed it).

Gobshites anyhow by the sounds of it!

Fan playing a blinder here, a bit of a relief after watching Grace earlier on.

The Just Stop Oil people seem to be the eccentric, wishy-washy, idealistic, middle class types. I don't think there is any talking sense into them they are brainwashed. I just hope yer man is not a snooker fan or that would be an embarrassment to snooker fans everywhere.

Just watching Fan on that long red there, he is very left eye sighted and cues directly under his left eye.

A bit like Graham Miles used to do.

Allen has started commentating while he is in tournament as well you know. According to Allen it gives him a different focus and helps him relax.

Allen continued on and got a century when play resumed on their side of the crucible. On Eurosport they were calling it the longest century in history.

I think Allen just did what he was supposed to do and match played Fan. Allen has Bingham next. My theory is that these tough games will battle harden Allen so he is ready if he goes deep in the tournament.

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By the way I initially thought the clapping/standing ovation on the resumption was spontaneous. But it was far from spontaneous. Off live camera MC Rob the Walker urged the crowd 'to show the world we will not be stopped'. And he requested a standing ovation for the players.

See link below

It will be close alright, I think Allen seems ready to 'dig in' this time. Hard match to call though, could be a last frame decider job.

Gary Wilson walloping his practice partner Sellsor. Gone 7-1 already with a century after 90's. Contest looks over.

McGill should have stuck with 'This Charming Man' for his music. It was up there as the best walk on music.

He's moved down to Lionel Richie since, a backward step.

I noticed Willo had 'Delliliah' back yesterday. Good man.

Fair play to McGill some battler. Trump has some fight on his hands now.

Milkins getting a thumping. He has played some really poor shots, pots, positionally and safety wise, again as I type, several inches short when under no pressure…. Surrendered some really great positions and chances but he should win the last….

In no man’s land again, needing a colour and a red.

Milkins has been putting in an 'interesting' performance in the walk on music stakes.

Thanks for the heads up - caught the end of it from the yellow.

Is that his first?

Pulled out plenty of great shots there to get the maximum. Several great blacks were needed from the strong position he was in, his yellow was just like Cliff Thorburn in 1983 and then he had to put plenty of side on to get from pink to black.

Last few balls here