Snooker: McManus sets up all Scottish clash
Tuesday, 27 March 2001 20:19Alan McManus will meet Stephen Hendry after defeating people's favourite Jimmy White 6-4 on the opening day of the Irish Masters at the Citywest hotel this afternoon.
The first session saw McManus take a 3-1 interval lead, with McManus getting the first century break in the Department of Health sponsored tournament with a 102 in the 4th frame. The first frame after the restart was a rather scrappy affair with McManus playing a rather loose shot to let White back in. And with plenty of reds on offer, White duly cleaned up to cut McManus lead to just one frame.
Frame six saw McManus restore his two frame advantage, and he might have taken the next, only to be snookered behind the brown after White had left a red hovering over the corner pocket. White took advantage there, but small breaks in the next left McManus just one frame short of victory.
But White, who will not be taking part in this year's World Championship after being knocked out by Dubliner Michael Judge, kept the Citywest crowd happy with a mesmerising break of 89 to keep the match alive. But the determined Scot countered with an 80 in the frame to book his place in Thursday's quarter-finals.
Latest Scores/Results
Alan McManus bt Jimmy White 6-4 (75-43, 88-6, 27-71, 102-0 (102), 10-64, 99-8, 44-81, 66-4, 1-97 (89), 81-4)
Fergal O'Brien 2-2 Matthew Stevens (31-105 (105), 111-5 (56), 71-51 (71), 43-69)
Filed by Pat Nugent
