Skip to main contentAccess keys helpA-Z index

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
| Help
CHOOSE A SPORT
RELATED BBC SITES
Last Updated: Monday, 25 April, 2005, 21:20 GMT 22:20 UK
Feisty McCulloch shocks Williams
By Julian Shea
BBC Sport at The Crucible

Ian McCulloch
McCulloch faces Alan McManus next
Three morning century breaks set up Ian McCulloch for a tense 13-12 win over former champion Mark Williams.

Starting the day 5-3 down, Englishman McCulloch made breaks of 108 and a 100 to edged into a 9-7 lead.

Williams rallied with the first four frames of the evening session before McCulloch won two frames, one with a break of 83, to make it 11-11.

He won a tense frame to go 12-11 up but an 84 by Williams made it 12-12 before McCulloch held his nerve to win.

McCulloch said a hard training regime had helped him defeat Williams.

"It's hard every night when the lads are going out having a pint or playing a round of golf," he said.

"But if sitting on a bike is what I have to do to be successful, then that's what I will do.

"The bike builds my stamina but drives me round the bend. But I like to do everything right."

Williams, champion in 2000 and 2003, was content with his efforts and praised his opponent.

"He played very well and was very consistent. Everytime I missed something he punished me heavily," said the Welshman.

"I can't grumble about my performance. If he continues to play like that I think he can win it.

"I've got a few months off now so I'm going to chill out and play golf."


M WILLIAMS (Wal) 12-13 I McCULLOCH (Eng)

71-78 (59 Williams, re-spotted black) 143-0 (133) 42-60 (60) 79-0 102-30 (102) 115-16 (60) 0-90 (90) 70-68 (62 W) 0-143 (108) 83-34 (42) 24-87 (75) 34-74 (69) 59-65 (53,58) 5-116 (108) 77-2 29-113 (100) 75-24 (71) 84-1 (40) 74-4 (52) 65-1 (64) 26-71 (44) 38-83 (83) 23-66 (43) 105-12 (84) 2-53


WATCH AND LISTEN
Interview: Ian McCulloch




E-mail services | Sport on mobiles/PDAs

MMIX

Back to top

Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability sport | Olympics 2012 | Sport Relief | Other sport...

BBC Sport Academy >> | BBC News >> | BBC Weather >>
About the BBC | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | Contact us
banner watch listen bbc sport