Here’s another random article on my favourite snooker shots! It keeps some people talking; it keeps my blog ticking over; everyone’s happy – enjoy!
John Higgins vs. Marco Fu (2009 Premier League)
No story here: this is probably one of the best snookers you could ever wish to see. I’m sounding like Dennis Taylor now. Anyway, Higgins needs a snooker and only pink and black are remaining. What a superb shot!
Somehow, Marco Fu managed to escape this snooker and later potted the pink to win the frame. However, it doesn’t escape the fact that this snooker was so wonderfully constructed!
Neil Robertson vs. Stuart Bingham (2013 UK Championship)
If you are thinking of players of immense cue power, two names come to mind: Judd Trump and Neil Robertson. Both can produce some impressive belters, but this one really takes the biscuit:
Neil Robertson managed to screwback of at least 13 feet of the green baize. Yes, position-wise isn’t fantastic but the power so damn impressive!
Jackson Page vs. Jason Weston (2017 Welsh Open)
We will probably look back on this shot in 5-10 years time and think that this is the shot that first showed his potential as a snooker winner.
After winning the EBSA European and IBSF World Under-18 Snooker Championship in 2016, Jackson Page was awarded a wildcard to compete in the 2017 Welsh Open. This would make it his first appearance in a professional ranking event! This is his first match against professional Jason Weston, who at the time was struggling on tour. But this doesn’t take away the fact that it was a fantastic shot. To pot the pink along the cushion with topspin, with spin and enough pace to get position on the black on the other side of the table was quite special. That pink was significant, as he was able to force a respotted black in the deciding frame. And he won it!
Jackson page has to be the best youngster wales has ever had .👍👍
— MARK WILLIAMS M.B.E (@markwil147) March 8, 2017
Let’s also not forget this was 15 years old when he won that match. He also beat professional John Astley in the next round in another decider before being whitewashed by Judd Trump. He may not be professional now, but let’s hope he really makes an impact when he does!
Thanawat Tirapongpiraboon vs. Robert Milkins (2012 World Open)
There are so many reasons why I love this clip. But let’s have some context first.
Thai player Thanawat was regarded as quite a special player. In 2010, he became the youngest ever player to score a maximum in professional competition aged 16 years and 312 days against Barry Hawkins in the Rhein-Main Masters (one of the PTC events). Not many people know that. Anyway, this is when he was 18 and this is a wildcard round. Both Milkins and Thanawat are having a tussle on the black at 4-1 to Milkins. Then the young Thai player (Dennis Taylor again…) went for a long pot and this happened:
Three reasons why I love this shot. The full coverage of that shot is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzMCoyZXHcc
One is obviously how it ran perfectly along the side of the table and the rail of the pocket. You could try that another thousand times and you wouldn’t succeed in achieving that result. If the black ball fell off the table, it would’ve been match over. The second is the shocked face of Tirapongpiraboon. Like everyone else, he couldn’t believe what happened, like everyone else for that matter. Of course, the very first thing he did was apologise to his opponent.
The third was the utter revulsion in Robert Milkins face. Without even glancing at the Thai, he stormed off in disgust while his opponent was shaking his head. On one hand, a lot of people say Milkins would’ve laughed over that fluke and should have been more sporting. On the other hand, I would’ve acted the same thing – it was such a disgusting fluke when you worked so hard to clinch the match that you would’ve thought that the gods were against you. Fortunately for Milkins, he held on to win 5-3. Imagine how incensed he would be if he lost…
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs. Ding Junhui (2014 Welsh Open)
Even from Ronnie O’Sullivan, this is beyond ridiculous.
In this event, the Rocket was in relentless form. He dropped just seven frames before reaching the final while beating Higgins and Hawkins along the way. Then came his final against Ding Junhui, where he was putting Ding aside with relative ease until this moment at 8-2 up. He scored a 147. His 12th maximum in fact. What is so special about the above was the fact he potted a very difficult red with screw and side with his opposite hand. Not to mention he was positioned perfectly on the black. And he potted it like it was nothing!
With typical Ronnie swagger, the shown ended up potting the final black with his left hand, receiving a standing ovation. You have to admit how glorious that was, even for a fan who doesn’t like Ronnie that much. This is just sensational! Genius at work.
For the full maximum break, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqMZMljcTZY
SNOOKER SHOTS SERIES
PART 1: https://clusterofreds.com/2018/08/07/favourite-snooker-shots-part-1/
