NI Trophy Semi-finals discussion

[scoo24]

Who'd have thought that Dave Harold would be back in the top 16 again, all be it provisionally. A truly amazing fightback at 41 years of age, to climb back up the rankings after nearly dropping off the main tour due to his wrist injury a few years ago; sheer grit and hard work has come through over all the young guns and hot shots. :snooker:

Someone on this forum believed in him a few months ago, goes to show you faith is all what some people have. Well done big Dave, beating some great opponents over the week & it's not over yet. :snooker:

[TheStranger]

Ronnie opens up the first frame of his semi-final against Ali Carter with a great long red to get in the balls. Working on a break of 13 so far.

Ronnie finishes his break at 96, securing the first frame and subsequently fouling on his last shot.

[TheStranger]

Now Ronnie bottles it on a break of 20, giving Ali Carter his first chance in the second frame.

Carter finishes his break at 28 before Ronnie fouls; but Carter can't make the red on the rail after he opts to shoot with the rest.

A black on top left blocks that pocket - so Ronnie, after a safety exchange, gets a red to top right instead to start a new break. He takes a harder shot for position on a red to top right, instead of the straight shot to top left - and his break ends at 29, while Carter receives a new chance.

Carter clears out to 69-49 and knots the match at one apiece.

[TheStranger]

The Rocket gets called for a miss in baulk early in frame three and has to play the safety into the pack again - which he executes successfully a second time.

Both Carter and O'Sullivan call for a rerack after two soft taps.

On the rerack, Carter's break leaves a couple of long chances to left for Ronnie. He chooses to play safe instead though.

Carter first in the balls and he's on a break of 12.

Finishes up with 106 and takes the lead 2-1.

[TheStranger]

After four frames, it's 2-2 as Carter concedes after Ronnie pulls out a break of 69.

[dannyd0g]

Am i imagining it, or does this seem to be a bad tempered affair, with some atmosphere between ROS, Carter and Mikaela Tabb ?

[davidhawkes]

I wouldn't mess with Michaela!

She is gorgeous but she won't stand for any nonsense.

[TheStranger]

Am i imagining it, or does this seem to be a bad tempered affair, with some atmosphere between ROS, Carter and Mikaela Tabb ?

The TG4 commentators pointed this out too in their interval analysis of frame 2 - the "dress foul" and Ronnie staying on the table after it served a rather intriguing sequence there.

[Ellena]

Am i imagining it, or does this seem to be a bad tempered affair, with some atmosphere between ROS, Carter and Mikaela Tabb ?

My impression too. I noticed before that Ronnie isnt exactly comfortable when Michaela is the referee at the table..but with Ali... cant imagine what could be..
Either than that is a good match so far..Would love to see some centuries tho ...

[The Boss]

What happened in the fifth frame? I'm watching the match now. The Eurosport stream didn't work for the other match today

The Butcher's club Stoke lost today. What effect that will have on his mind, i don't know

[Rane]

My impression too. I noticed before that Ronnie isnt exactly comfortable when Michaela is the referee at the table..but with Ali... cant imagine what could be..
Either than that is a good match so far..Would love to see some centuries tho ...

Isn´t ROS and Carter best friends ? I think they used to practice together.

[The Boss]

The Captain isn't messing about here. He takes the 7th frame to lead 4-3 :snooker:

[The Boss]

Ronnie is first in in the 8th frame. Not perfect position so far, but don't bet against him clearing up at this visit

[The Boss]

Two quickfire frames in a row. Ronnie powers home with a break of 108 to level again at 4-4

[The Boss]

Frame 9 begins with a poor break off from Carter, but Ronnie fails to capitalise, missing the easy black off the spot