Emotions can run high in professional sport, but not always in the commentary box.
However that was the case for ex-pro Steven Hallworth and commentator Dave Hendon during the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters earlier this year, as they watched world number one Judd Trump defeat Mark Williams by producing a nerveless clearance in the deciding frame to win 10-9 and scoop the £500,000 first prize. It came after world number six Williams looked set to claim the cash in Riyadh, only to miss a mid-range red on a break of 62 in the decider which allowed Trump to register a brilliant 72.
And speaking ahead of a rematch at the Riyadh Season Championship, which also features veteran Ronnie O’Sullivan and world champion Kyren Wilson, on December 19, Hallworth said that the match is the best he has ever watched – and had quite an impact on both men commenting on the tournament. He said: “I was very fortunate to be on commentary for that match, and I can stand here and say that it is the best match that I have ever seen live or on tele. How that unfolded and that clearance that Judd has done in the final frame, me and Dave [Hendon] were speechless at the end. We felt quite emotional sitting in the commentary box watching it.”
Speaking after the tournament to Eurosport, Trump said he didn’t feel as if he deserved the victory saying: “I’m in shock. I struggled, Mark was much the better player. He was making breaks although the table was playing tricky. I don’t deserve to win. He was the better player – I just found something at the end. This is so special to win. I stopped breathing for the last five minutes of that frame but I managed to get over the line.”
A gutted Williams added: “It just shows what a champion he is, what a break he has made in the last frame. For half a million quid, 62 behind, two reds safe – what can you say? Congratulations to him.”
An even more lucrative prize is on offer in Saudi Arabia for the rematch, with $1m available for the first player to make history by recording a 167 by potting a golden ball, placed midway along the top cushion, which is worth 20 points after a traditional 147 maximum.