Match Reports from the 888.com World Snooker Championship
A Scrappy Affair
Anthony Hamilton 8 – 8 Ian McCulloch
After beginning the match with a dreadful session of snooker on day six, the players continued to search for some rhythm in the second session.
Both players struggled to find the form that would make them serious contenders for the title, although Anthony Hamilton started brighter. He took the first two frames of the session to lead 6-4. However, McCulloch immediately pegged him back with two of his own to level the match going into the interval.
The 13th was lucky for Hamilton, whose 63 break pinched the frame by two points. Again he could not get away, as McCulloch won another tight frame to level at 7-7.
The 35-year-old from Preston knocked defending champion Graeme Dott out in the first round, and he showed some of that form with a 56 break to win the 15th frame. It was the third and final break of over 50 in the eight frame session.
Hamilton won the last to restore the symmetry, and it would be a surprise if the match did not get close to a decider in the final session on day eight.
By David Pritchard
