SNOOKER: Perry pipped at the post
CHATTERIS snooker ace Joe Perry was pipped in the final frame of his semi-final clash with Ronnie O'Sullivan in the Party Poker premier league Championship at Hopton-on-Sea on Saturday night.
Perry was always playing catch-up with O'Sullivan after losing the first frame but a century break from Perry levelled the scores at 4-4 in the best of nine frames.
O'Sullivan's break in the final frame left Perry with a chance of a red but the time up pips sounded as Perry attempted the pot and he missed it. That left O'Sullivan with an opening which he gratefully took to rattle off a 104 break to book his place in the final.
"I think in hindsight I should have stopped as the sound did distract me. It was a pity because that was my final shot in the end. I felt I played really well and going into the final frame I could win the match.
"Playing in the premier league has been a big bonus and my confidence has carried on from the world championships."
This was the third time Perry has lost to the world champion this year but he did beat him in a league game back in October and they meet again in the opening round of The Masters in January and is on course to meet him in the second round of the Maplin UK Championship which begins this weekend. He meets Mark Davis in the first round.
"I certainly haven't been outplayed by Ronnie in any of our recent meetings and I know without a doubt that I am capable of beating him.
"I don't think you get so much recognition for winning a tournament if you haven't beaten Ronnie on the way – it is always as though someone else has done a lot of the hard work for you."
Perry has been in very good form this year, was a semi-finalist in the world championships back in April and has earned rave reviews for his displays but knows it could have been even better.
"But for running into Ronnie so often it might have been a really fantastic year," reflected a player whose career earnings have now gone through the 700,000 barrier.
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Weather for Wisbech
Thursday 17 May 2012
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