Final Rack Drama For Morris

Rodney Morris 8 – 7 Alex Lely

In a highly entertaining if error-strewn encounter, USA’s Rodney Morris edged out Alex Lely of Holland to claim a spot in the semi-finals of the 888.com World Pool Masters at the Doncaster Dome.

It all came down to some high drama in the final rack as Lely having stolen the previous frame to level it at 7 – 7, broke off. He made a ball but was forced to eventually play a snooker with no available pot on the pink 4.

Morris jumped out of trouble but touched the intervening 5 ball to present ball in hand to Lely.

The Dutchman cleared the balls but lost position going from the 5 to 6 and was ultimately left with a very tough table length shot on the brown 7 with the cue ball tight on the rail. He missed and left Morris an easy three ball run out for the match.

Both players had shared the earlier racks and at 2 – 2, Morris missed a 9 ball to allow the European 9 Ball Champion to move into a 3 – 2 lead.

Lely took the next two to increase his lead to three racks but by his own admission afterwards, he never felt comfortable.

Morris won the next but Lely maintained his lead as he took the ninth rack following a push-out. However, Morris had his chance in the next when Lely messed up on the 1 ball and the American ran out to get back to 6 – 5 down.

Morris then hit top gear as he ran out the next two racks with ease to take the lead for the first time since the opening rack at 7 – 6.

Breaking for the match Morris got a ball down, and then took on a high-risk long pot on the 1 ball, knowing the reward was effectively a semi-final spot. He missed though and the 1 landed perfectly for Lely who cleared to level it at 7 – 7.

Then came the tension of the final rack and with it victory for Morris.

“At the beginning my speed was off as the rails seemed to be playing slower than practice table, but I soon got the hang of it, he said.

“It wasn’t a great game but I played well in the later stages and it was good to get the victory.”