Snooker: Parrott sick to miss out on Crucible appearance

Mar 11 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

GOLDEN oldie John Parrott has failed to qualify for next month’s 888.com World Championship.

The 1991 Crucible champion slipped to an agonising 10-8 defeat to Cambridgeshire cueman Joe Perry yesterday in the final qualifying round at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

And with defeat the Liverpudlian missed out on a place in this year’s live first round draw at the Crucible Theatre today.

“It’s very disappointing not to have won, but I had chances,” admitted Parrott. “You always want to qualify for the World Championship, I’ve got so many fond memories of playing at the tournament.”

Nine times a ranking event winner, the 43-year-old started well enough and deservedly took a 8-4 lead.

But Perry battled back to end his opponent’s hopes of joining fellow BBC commentator Steve Davis at this season’s 17-day tournament.

“Given the circumstances, I’d probably say that was my best-ever comeback,” admitted Perry.

Crowd favourite Jimmy White also failed to qualify for this season’s premier event.

The Whirlwind, a six-time Crucible finalist, was thumped 10-3 by Romford left-hander Mark King.

“I’m in absolute shreds,” said White, who complained off a neck injury. “I was in agony, I was in so much pain. It was like having clamps on my neck.

“I’ve had a crick neck since Saturday night. I’m just absolutely gutted to have got beaten.”