Snooker: McManus relishes home victory

Alan McManus, who despise travelling and relishes home comforts, produced the goods in his own back yard as the Regal Masters got under way at Motherwell Civic Centre today. The Glaswegian booked an all-Scottish quarterfinal showdown against seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry by doggedly recording a 5-3 victory over Fergal O'Brien. "I say it every year but it's brilliant to be able to stay at home for a tournament," said McManus, who has narrowly lost in three Regal Masters finals and is still waiting to get his name engraved on the trophy.

"It was always going to be a tough match and a close one, but in the end a couple of mistakes and missed pots made all the difference. Sometimes you need a bit of luck on your side and I got it." The fortune in question arrived in frame six and it was most definitely ill fortune for O'Brien, who had made the brighter start. Runs of 87, 94 and 79 had carried O'Brien into a 3-2 lead and McManus looked in serious danger of suffering his first defeat in five career meetings with the Dubliner. Last year's British Open champion also had first chance in the next but, playing what should have been a straightforward black to a middle pocket, he suffered a massive 'kick' which caused the object ball to go astray. McManus pounced with a 38 break to draw level at 3-3, moved ahead by claiming the seventh with a well controlled contribution of 74 - after O'Brien had jawed a simple black off its spot - and came through a marathon 51 minute eighth frame to progress.

"The kick was obviously a big turning point. From a position of strength Fergal suddenly found himself 4-3 down and the pressure quickly shifted from my shoulders onto his," admitted McManus, the eighth seed. "Now I'm really looking forward to taking on the wonder bairn," added McManus, who won his last encounter with Hendry - 5-2 in the quarterfinals of the British Open at Plymouth earlier this month. "Hopefully I'll be able to produce something as good as I did the only previous time I've played Stephen here. Mind you, he'll be coming out with all guns blazing because he hasn't had a good start to the season and he'll want to make amends." McManus was referring to a memorable quarter-final at Motherwell back in 1996 when he shocked Hendry with a 6-3 win, highlighted by exceptional long potting and break building.

Filed by Pat Nugent