Doherty and White bow out
Thursday, 18 August 2005World Championship finalist Matthew Stevens powered his way through to the quarter-final stages of the Northern Ireland Trophy thanks to victory over former world champion Ken Doherty.
Welshman Stevens triumphed 4-1 and will now meet either rising star Stephen Maguire or fellow countryman Mark Williams in the next phase.
Stevens won the opening frame against Dubliner Doherty, rattling in a 51 run in a frame which lasted over half an hour.
He doubled his advantage with another 51 break, before Doherty reduced his arrears with a 53 run, but Stevens wrapped the game up with 40 and 88 breaks.
Elsewhere, Jimmy White crashed out at the first hurdle today, beaten by emerging Australian player Neil Robertson.
The Whirlwind was gifted a bye to second the round at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast because of his world-ranking. But fellow left-hander Robertson was just too good and despite trailing 2-1, fought back to win three frames on the bounce and the match.
The Melbourne potter, who now lives in Cambridgeshire, will now play world champion Shaun Murphy in the quarter-finals tomorrow, with the match due to start at 1pm.
"I'm really looking forward to playing Shaun, it should be a great match," said Robertson, who is looking to continue his progress on the professional tour this term.
