Snooker: Liverpool potter beats White

Jan 29 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL potters will be out in force at next month’s Welsh Open.

Professionals John Parrott, Rod Lawler and Andrew Higginson have all qualified for the next ranking event after victories in the final round of qualifying yesterday.

Parrott benefited from an outrageous fluke in a final-frame 5-4 victory over Cleveland’s Mike Dunn, while Lawler impressed with a 5-2 win over Thailand’s James Wattana.

Higginson, a runner-up at last season’s Welsh Open, knocked out crowd favourite Jimmy White with a 5-2 victory at the Pontin’s Holiday Park in Prestatyn, North Wales.

“That’s a massive win,” said Higginson. “I’ve not had the best of seasons, but I had a chance to win in 5-0, so I’ve got to be pleased with the way I played.

“A lot of people think Jimmy’s no good anymore, but that’s not true. There was added pressure on me to win because I was the favourite and he was the underdog.”

Widnes’ Higginson raced into a 4-0 lead thanks to a break of 56 and clever safety play, before six-time World Championship finalist White rallied to reduce his arrears to 4-2 with runs of 76 and 52.

But Higginson held his nerve to clinch a famous win.

“You still get a buzz from watching Jimmy walking around the table – he still shows moments of brilliance,” added Higginson.

“I’m just so glad to be going back to Newport. I’ve got so many fond memories of reaching the final season, I enjoy playing in the big arenas and in front of the TV cameras.”

Meanwhile, Parrott edged his final-frame decider with Dunn by fluking the final black ball off three cushions. He also profited from breaks of 45, 65, 72 and 54.

“I was so lucky in that last frame, but I’m just glad to have qualified,” admitted the 1991 world champion.

Fellow Liverpudlian Lawler pocketed a top break of 56 in establishing a 4-0 lead over Wattana. His opponent hit back with breaks of 52 and 50, but by then the damage had been done.