Ding Vs Robertson - Freeball or not? (Masters 2013 opening match)

[ba354]

Hi there,

Would anyone be able to explain to me what the dispute was from Neil Robertson just now regarding a freeball (which he claims should have been?).

Never heard of his dispute before, I believe he was saying that he couldn't hit both sides of the red pack from the baulk line - anyone know what Neil was arguing here?

Cheers

[sberry]

Neil wanted a free ball but the ref deemed he could hit both sides of a red which meant he did not get a free ball.

As the pack of reds was together and he had the white ball in hand to play from the 'D' he claimed he could not hit both sides of any red that he could see or hit directly but the free ball rule states you cannot be covered or blocked by another red, only a colour, so the ref was correct in pointing out that if he put the white next to the yellow and if most of the red balls were removed he would be able to hit both sides of the red nearest the black.

[golferson123]

no he claimed that he could not hit any red on both sides, the bottom red was the one the ref said he could hit,if you took all the other balls off, not the pink of course

[ba354]

Thanks guys - makes sense