Royal London Watches Grand Prix First Round Discussion

[The Boss]

Parrot is playing bad, but still makes it 2-2

He's not playing bad. He's missed a few long ones and had to escape some tricky safeties. He's scored a lot of points, as has King

[The Boss]

A quick-fire 61 break is not enough to clinch the 5th frame for King. Parrott back at the table

The key to this frame is the red near the side cusion, which Parrott will need to snatch the frame

We're down to the final red, with King leading 61-41

King pots the final red to seize the 5th frame and lead 3-2. C'mon

[The Boss]

Get in. Superb long red from King to start a break in this 6th frame

The red didn't pass the black, so King had to play a trickier red. It rattles in the jaws and stays there. Parrott back in.

A missed blue from Parrott puts King back in control

A bold long red from Parrott culminates in a frame winning break. The scores are now level at 3-3

[PaulTheSoave]

I am flabbergasted with Murphy's form. I have never seen him play this bad! its a tight bum!

[Marc]

I am flabbergasted with Murphy's form. I have never seen him play this bad! its a tight bum!

i saw him play worse than this,the other 2 matches he played this season! hes playing better tonight!

[The Boss]

The white slides off the pack, but Parrott leaves nothing for King. King plays another good safety to land behind the green. Another tactical battle in progress in this crucial 7th frame

Parrott pots another long red, but the balls are awkwardly placed. More safety in store

[João]

Gunnel has had his fair share of flukes in perfect timings too. But it's a pain to watch Murphy playing like that. The fifth frame took almost an hour and was full of boredom and mistakes.

I can't see Murphy turning this around.

[PaulTheSoave]

lol! I have missed some highlights then!

i saw him play worse than this,the other 2 matches he played this season! hes playing better tonight!

[The Boss]

...Meanwhile, in the King match, the reds are nicely spread but the colours are in poor positions to make any chance easy for the two players. This is a crucial frame

King attempts a very difficult long plant. It doesn't come off and Parrott is back in. He won't clear from here, but King could be some points behind when he returns to the table.

Nope. Parrott can't cut the black in and King is back. If King can get the black back on its spot, it could turn into good chance

It turns into a good chance for Parrott instead. Three reds are safe on the side cusion, each blocking each other. King has to work hard to scrape home

Parrott's 31 point lead is looking big with the remaining balls where they are

Agony for King out there, but the red won't cut in for Parrott. There's still life in this frame

Parrott leads by 44 points, with 51 left on the table. King won't go away.

GET IN! King cuts the long red in and he's back

But no colour. 43 behind, 43 left.

Parrott prevails eventually. King will have to win the last two frames. Don't bet against the great man pulling it off

[Rane]

Murphy makes a century to go 3 - 4. He has been playing well in the last two frames.

[dannyd0g]

well i was supporting JP earlier in this match - but now im beggining to think he had some nerve to criticise Ebdons gamemanship against Ronnie, with his sudden refusal to take on anything but a 99% pot.

[Rane]

Gunnel is at the table and just made a nice split of the pack. Now its time for Murphy to hope of mistakes.

[dannyd0g]

Dennis Taylor : "John Parrot is making Cliff Thorburn look like Tony Drago"

[Rane]

Gunnel makes a few not so good shot and leaves the table 47 - 4 up with balls on. Could be a decider.

[darrus]

Great one from Taylor!