Category: Snooker

Jimmy ‘Whirlwind’ White must wait another year to claim a fourth World Seniors snooker title after losing 5-4 to Lee Walker in a tense final on Sunday night.

The six-time Crucible runner-up opened with a break of 64 to lead 1-0 in Sheffield before scrapping his way to a 4-2 advantage despite toiling to emulate his heavy scoring form that saw him reach the showpiece match earlier in the day.

White was restricted to only six points in the closing three frames as 46-year-old Walker – the coach and close friend of three-time world champion Mark Williams – followed up an earlier 72 with match-winning breaks of 79 and 83 to complete a deserved triumph that he described as his “career highlight”.

“It’s a dream come true,” he said. “There is a lot of pressure out there. I wanted to win, Jimmy wanted to win. It is a title playing at the Crucible.

“Everybody thinks it is easy when they see Ronnie (O’Sullivan), John Higgins and Mark Williams playing. They don’t miss anything, but this game is not that easy.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” added Walker, who enjoyed victories over defending champion David Lilley, Ken Doherty, Stephen Hendry and Tony Knowles during his run to the title that sees him qualify for the Champion of Champions tournament next season.

“I think I’m too old to play two matches in one day!,” said White. “He played much better than me today. You can’t take anything away from Lee; his safety was excellent, he took his chances. I’m delighted for him.”

White had won the event in 2010, 2019 and 2020, but lost last year’s final 5-3 to Lilley.

Lilley looked on course for a repeat clash against White after breaks of 58, 57 and 50 saw him move 3-0 clear against Walker, but the former Gibraltar Open semi-finalist reeled off the next four frames including a closing knock of 73 to complete a great escape.

Jimmy ‘Whirlwind’ White must wait another year to claim a fourth World Seniors snooker title after losing 5-4 to Lee Walker in a tense final on Sunday night.

The six-time Crucible runner-up opened with a break of 64 to lead 1-0 in Sheffield before scrapping his way to a 4-2 advantage despite toiling to emulate his heavy scoring form that saw him reach the showpiece match earlier in the day.

White was restricted to only six points in the closing three frames as 46-year-old Walker – the coach and close friend of three-time world champion Mark Williams – followed up an earlier 72 with match-winning breaks of 79 and 83 to complete a deserved triumph that he described as his “career highlight”.

“It’s a dream come true,” he said. “There is a lot of pressure out there. I wanted to win, Jimmy wanted to win. It is a title playing at the Crucible.

“Everybody thinks it is easy when they see Ronnie (O’Sullivan), John Higgins and Mark Williams playing. They don’t miss anything, but this game is not that easy.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” added Walker, who enjoyed victories over defending champion David Lilley, Ken Doherty, Stephen Hendry and Tony Knowles during his run to the title that sees him qualify for the Champion of Champions tournament next season.

“I think I’m too old to play two matches in one day!,” said White. “He played much better than me today. You can’t take anything away from Lee; his safety was excellent, he took his chances. I’m delighted for him.”

White had won the event in 2010, 2019 and 2020, but lost last year’s final 5-3 to Lilley.

Lilley looked on course for a repeat clash against White after breaks of 58, 57 and 50 saw him move 3-0 clear against Walker, but the former Gibraltar Open semi-finalist reeled off the next four frames including a closing knock of 73 to complete a great escape.

Jimmy ‘Whirlwind’ White hit a sparkling break of 132 on his way to a 4-0 whitewash of Peter Lines in the World Seniors Championship semi-finals in Sheffield.

The six-time Crucible finalist will face defending champion David Lilley or Lee Walker in Sunday evening’s best-of-nine frame final (7pm BST).

“I’m delighted with that,” said Eurosport analyst White, who is chasing a record fourth victory at the event.

“It is a big event for me. If I win it, it leads to other things. I get in the Champion of Champions so it would be great to win this World Championship tonight.

“This is a great place when you are playing well. There is nothing like it, but when you are struggling it is a long walk to the table.

“I’m hitting the ball good. I’ve been practising really hard and it is starting to pay off.”

White has won the event in 2010, 2019 and 2020, but lost last year’s final 5-3 to Lilley.

Jimmy ‘Whirlwind’ White hit a sparkling break of 132 on his way to a 4-0 whitewash of Peter Lines in the World Seniors Championship semi-finals in Sheffield.

The six-time Crucible finalist will face Lee Walker in Sunday evening’s best-of-nine frame final (7pm BST) after the Welshman enjoyed a 4-3 win over defending champion David Lilley from 3-0 behind.

“I’m delighted with that,” said Eurosport analyst White, who is chasing a record fourth victory at the event.

“It is a big event for me. If I win it, it leads to other things. I get in the Champion of Champions so it would be great to win this World Championship tonight.

“This is a great place when you are playing well. There is nothing like it, but when you are struggling it is a long walk to the table.

“I’m hitting the ball good. I’ve been practising really hard and it is starting to pay off.”

White has won the event in 2010, 2019 and 2020, but lost last year’s final 5-3 to Lilley.

Lilley looked on course for a repeat clash against White after breaks of 58, 57 and 50 saw him move 3-0 clear, but former Gibraltar Open semi-finalist Walker reeled off the next four frames including a closing knock of 73 to complete the victory.

Jimmy White hit a sparkling break of 132 on his way to a 4-0 whitewash of Peter Lines in the World Seniors Championship semi-finals in Sheffield.

The six-time Crucible finalist will face defending champion David Lilley or Lee Walker in Sunday evening’s best-of-nine frame final (7pm BST).

After rolling in 138, 74, 71 and 53 in a 4-1 win against Rory McLeod on Saturday, White also made a 62 to go with his 132 in drubbing UK Seniors holder Lines, who had dumped Nigel Bond 4-1 to progress to the last four.

“I’m delighted with that,” said Eurosport analyst White, who is chasing a record fourth victory at the event.

“It is a big event for me. If I win it, it leads to other things. I get in the Champion of Champions so it would be great to win this World Championship tonight.

“This is a great place when you are playing well. There is nothing like it, but when you are struggling it is a long walk to the table.

“I’m hitting the ball good. I’ve been practising really hard and it is starting to pay off.”

White has won the event in 2010, 2019 and 2020, but lost last year’s final 5-3 to Lilley.

Jimmy ‘Whirlwind’ White hit a sparkling break of 132 on his way to a 4-0 whitewash of Peter Lines in the World Seniors Championship semi-finals in Sheffield.

The six-time Crucible finalist will face defending champion David Lilley or Lee Walker in Sunday evening’s best-of-nine frame final (7pm BST).

“I’m delighted with that,” said Eurosport analyst White, who is chasing a record fourth victory at the event.

“It is a big event for me. If I win it, it leads to other things. I get in the Champion of Champions so it would be great to win this World Championship tonight.

“This is a great place when you are playing well. There is nothing like it, but when you are struggling it is a long walk to the table.

“I’m hitting the ball good. I’ve been practising really hard and it is starting to pay off.”

White has won the event in 2010, 2019 and 2020, but lost last year’s final 5-3 to Lilley.

Jimmy White rolled back the years at his beloved Crucible Theatre to advance to the semi-finals of the World Seniors Championship.

The 60-year-old will play Peter Lines, who beat Nigel Bond 4-1, in the semi-final.

White has repeatedly spoken of his love for the Crucible, despite suffering the heartbreak of six World Championship final defeats.

The World Seniors Championship has been kinder to White, who has won it on three previous occasions.

He will have high hopes of making it four titles following an impressive win over Rory McLeod.

McLeod is still operating to a decent standard on the main tour, but had no answer to an ebullient White.

In the week he celebrated his 60th birthday, White raised the roof in Sheffield with a total clearance of 138.

He never let up, showing some exquisite play with the rest in the fourth frame along with some exhibition pots as runs of 53, 71 and 74 secured a 4-1 win.

Taking to Twitter, White said: “Felt good out there tonight! Thanks to everyone for the support! Appreciate it!”

White will face the winner of the clash between Peter Lines and Nigel Bond.

David Lilley is the defending champion and he booked his place in the last four with victory over Michael Holt.

Lilley will face Lee Walker, who edged out Ken Doherty 4-2.

Jimmy White rolled back the years at his beloved Crucible Theatre to advance to the semi-finals of the World Seniors Championship.

The 60-year-old will play Peter Lines, who beat Nigel Bond 4-1, in the semi-final.

White has repeatedly spoken of his love for the Crucible, despite suffering the heartbreak of six World Championship final defeats.

The World Seniors Championship has been kinder to White, who has won it on two previous occasions.

He will have high hopes of making it three titles following an impressive win over Rory McLeod.

McLeod is still operating to a decent standard on the main tour, but had no answer to an ebullient White.

In the week he celebrated his 60th birthday, White raised the roof in Sheffield with a total clearance of 138.

He never let up, showing some exquisite play with the rest in the fourth frame along with some exhibition pots as runs of 53, 71 and 74 secured a 4-1 win.

Taking to Twitter, White said: “Felt good out there tonight! Thanks to everyone for the support! Appreciate it!”

White will face the winner of the clash between Peter Lines and Nigel Bond.

David Lilley is the defending champion and he booked his place in the last four with victory over Michael Holt.

Lilley will face Lee Walker, who edged out Ken Doherty 4-2.

Jimmy White rolled back the years at his beloved Crucible Theatre to advance to the semi-finals of the World Seniors Championship.

The 60-year-old will play Peter Lines, who beat Nigel Bond 4-1, in the semi-final.

White has repeatedly spoken of his love for the Crucible, despite suffering the heartbreak of six World Championship final defeats.

The World Seniors Championship has been kinder to White, who has won it on three previous occasions.

He will have high hopes of making it four titles following an impressive win over Rory McLeod.

McLeod is still operating to a decent standard on the main tour, but had no answer to an ebullient White.

In the week he celebrated his 60th birthday, White raised the roof in Sheffield with a total clearance of 138.

He never let up, showing some exquisite play with the rest in the fourth frame along with some exhibition pots as runs of 53, 71 and 74 secured a 4-1 win.

Taking to Twitter, White said: “Felt good out there tonight! Thanks to everyone for the support! Appreciate it!”

White will face the winner of the clash between Peter Lines and Nigel Bond.

David Lilley is the defending champion and he booked his place in the last four with victory over Michael Holt.

Lilley will face Lee Walker, who edged out Ken Doherty 4-2.