13.3.07

SLOW ON THE DRAW

Further to a previous post, the draw for the first round of this year's 888.com World Championship will be made next Monday, as I reported.

However, it won't actually be revealed until the following day because the BBC don't want to show it live (you may remember the fiasco on Radio 5 Live a year ago).

The draw details will be unveiled on BBC One's Breakfast programme at 7.30am on Tuesday, March 20.

Unless, this is, they get leaked beforehand.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a bloody fiasco -- already a fiasco again and they haven't even drawn a name out of the hat.

So BBC don't want to show it live.

What's to stop WSA doing it live themselves on their website... All it takes is a WEBCAM and a feed...

Anonymous said...

Dave,

Am almost past caring about this now.

I know last year was a mess-up, but then I think the FA did exactly the same for a FA Cup Draw earlier this season.

So, they don't want to show it live, but will just embargo it until the next day? What!? (It'll be good of you to post it up on Monday lunchtime!)

This is where Sky Sports News would've come in handy. I do remember Sunday Grandstand doing it a few years ago. Even though it doesnt exist anymore, why not put a 5 minute slot on inbetween whatever sport(s) are on this Sunday live or broadcast as live?

I really don't know another sporting governing body as badly organised as Snooker's. Now I know why the game has such few tournaments.

Dave, anymore news on the WPBSA making any funding towards Chris Small, since his unfortunate retirement from the game. I read Clive's been quite vocal on this subject.

Thanks, Joe

Dave H said...

There will be a story about the latest on the benevolent fund saga in next month's Snooker Scene.

The problem with the draw is that they are laying themselves open to accusations that it has been rigged, even though I am 100% sure it won't be.

People sat at home could think the draw they are watching is the third or fourth that has been made. if it isn't live, how can you be sure?

Anonymous said...

Well I hope something good will come of it, not just for Chris Small, but for future causes.

I agree about the draw. Can you tell me why with most draws in tournament snooker the path for the top 16 players is already set out?

I know the top 16 can't be drawn out of the bag, otherwise they could all end up playing each other. But, for example, O'Sullivan is in the top half of the World Championship draw and knows exactly what players he may have to beat (Robertson, Higgins + Williams) to win it.

Can't they draw from two bags, rather than here is no1 seed v ?

Also, when do they mark the other draw sheets out for other tournaments? Or is it just 1-16 players downwards v qualifiers? As the drawsheets do not look the same to me at other events.

Is it done at the Bristol HQ?

Thanks, Joe

Anonymous said...

I hope Parrott draws Davis or Hendry

Anonymous said...

Dave,

What records has Judd Trump broken today by beating Wattana 10-5?

Also, how are the tables playing in Sheffield to Prestatyn?

Thanks, Joe

Dave H said...

Trump will become the third youngest player to compete at the Crucible

The arena and tables were excellent all week

Dave H said...

With regards to seedings, the second round has to add up to 17, so it's 1 v 16, 2 v 15, 3 v 14 etc

The quarters have to add up to 9 (1 v 8, 2 v 7, 3 v 6, 4 v 5)

Anonymous said...

So... has something been leaked already? ;-)

Dave H said...

I had an email from someone claiming Ronnie O'Sullivan had drawn Judd Trump but have dismissed it on the grounds that the person involved:

a) couldn't possibly know
and
b) could not supply the rest of the draw when challenged to

Dave H said...

We also had an email from a reader who said they had phoned World Snooker today to ask for details of the draw only to be told that it would be made 'live on television tomorrow' which is, of course, an outright lie

Anonymous said...

Dave,

So some of the staff at World Snooker don't even know what is going on...and they're in charge! Ha.

Maybe the person involved from the post above is management of either player and that is why he doesn't know the rest of the draw...

Have you any draw clues....?

Thanks, Joe

Dave H said...

No I don't. The two people who went down from World Snooker are as honest as the day is long, so I don't expect it to leak from them.

One thought occurred to me: it'll be a pain for snooker players to have to be up at 7.30am!

Anonymous said...

You can no longer bet on the World Championship at Ladbrokes.com.

I could on Saturday though cause I remember looking at the odds.