Rory McLeod today makes history as the first black player ever to compete at the Crucible.
It's a strange anomaly. Snooker is not an elitist sport. Anyone can join a club and start playing.
Rory himself isn't one to make a big deal of it but it's a noteworthy achievement.
He's up against Mark King at 10am (UK time).
You can read my general preview of the Betfred.com World Championship in this morning's Independent here.
I am currently watching this match - what a joy to be hearing Clive Everton!
ReplyDeleteToo right!
ReplyDeleteIn the racing post preview yesterday the head to heads did not include Championship League, I was wondering if Dave does?
ReplyDeleteNo I don't, Jamie
ReplyDeleteAll ranking events and major professional events over a reasonable distance are counted but four frame matches, or Pot Black or pro-ams are not
if i was in the crowd id shout
ReplyDelete"come on baldy"
see who turned round first
If these two are pulled off after 6 frames is that a record?
ReplyDeleteNo it's happened before in he first round, although not since 2005 in the David Gray v Anthony Hamilton match
ReplyDeleteAlthough I forgot to say the post do include premier league which are six frame, questionable perhaps? Also Hendry leads Williams 16-15 head to head, which suprised me I thought Hendry might be a bit further ahead.
ReplyDeleteThat's because he is
ReplyDeleteIt's 18-15 to Hendry
I love rory!!
ReplyDeleteGreat exciting player hope he does well!
Exciting???
ReplyDeleteI thought BBC's commentator pairing were interesting this morning. John Virgo/Dennis Taylor for the O'Sullivan match and Clive Everton/Terry Griffiths for the McLeod match. Two first string commentators together and two second string commentators together, now that Clive has been demoted. Wonder if it will continue like this?
ReplyDeletewt + tg doing mjw + sh was a dream set up
ReplyDeleteFollowing on my earlier post. Evening BBC commentator pairings. O'Sullivan match - Willie Thorne/ John Virgo (first stringers). Carter match - Clive Everton/Neal Foulds (second stringers).
ReplyDeleteGood to see a black player finally make the breakthrough and appear at the World's.
ReplyDeleteTo encourage the sport on a truly international level, let's get Sports Aid (and other good causes)donate a few snooker tables to Black Africa.
Perry Mans shone under apartheid. Let's get the sport promoted in the ghettos and slums.
This racial focus is silly. If I was Rory I would curl my toes when Walker shouts "the first black player". Who cares really? Was Ding hailed as the first yellow player? Geographical curiosities is one thing, skin colour quite another. Get over it - it's embarassing.
ReplyDeleteWhy silly?He is black isn't?
ReplyDeleteother thing he is playing terribly slow and curiosity is he is playing when 4 or 5 snooker needed.
Unsportmanship it is.
The weakest player ever at Crucible since i watch.
in some places in England you will never see black man with a cue.
ReplyDeleteIt is not a normal thing.
Pot Black!!!
ReplyDeleteDAVE when you anwsered because he is what did you mean by that? also how have you got 18 to 15 as the post i got 16 to 15 and 1 draw? john parrott said the same on bbc.
ReplyDeleteThe Hendry v Williams head to head is 18-15
ReplyDeleteThat's the one the BBC had as that's what it is
well the racing post must have missed out two games, of course the bbc may be including champ lge, neway it is 19-15 now! hendrys 51 clearance to go 1 behind at 7-6 was vintage.
ReplyDelete