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12 Established 1961 Sports Wednesday, May 9, 2018 Williams fulfils naked ambition to claim third snooker title Oldest winner since his fellow Welshman Ray Reardon triumphed SHEFFIELD: Mark Williams fought off a stunning didn’t want to lose with a session to spare. comeback from John Higgins to claim his third world snooker crown on Monday and then fulfilled a pledge ‘HAND GRENADE’ to appear naked at his press conference. “It was a good match to watch but obviously I’m The Welshman won a gripping final 18-16 to add disappointed. He is a great champion.” to his titles in 2000 and 2003. At 43 he became the The two forty somethings received a standing oldest winner since his fellow Welshman Ray ovation at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre as they Reardon triumphed emerged for the con- aged 45 in 1978. cluding evening session. Higgins, 42 and seek- And Higgins had the ing a fifth title, fought captivated crowd on the back from a seven- edge of their seats as he frame deficit to draw Scot’s fourth compiled a stunning 131 level at 15-15, but break after a costly Williams held on to take century in error by Williams to the sport’s showcase. take the 27th frame to It capped a remark- the final make it 15-11. That was able late-career revival the Scot’s fourth centu- as he did not even qual- ry in the final. ify for the champi- And he clawed back onships in 2017, and to within three frames last reached the final 15 when taking the next. years ago, when he defeated Ken Doherty. Williams seemingly had it for the taking, but a mis- “Last year I watched this in a caravan having take at 58-1 saw Higgins return to the table with a some beers. I just can’t believe it, I was seriously clearance of 67. thinking of giving up” Williams told the BBC. Davis said Higgins had “thrown a hand grenade He was 15-10 up, three frames away from the title, into Mark Williams’ brain” with those two quickfire after Monday’s afternoon session having started the frames. And so it proved as he rattled a red around day 10-7 in front.He stormed seven frames clear the jaws of a pocket to let Higgins in with a chance SHEFFIELD: Wales’s Mark Williams celebrates with his partner and children after beating Scotland’s John when taking Monday’s first four frames but Higgins at 47-0. Higgins in the World Championship Snooker final match against at The Crucible in Sheffield, England on fought back in what six-time former champion Steve Showing nerves of steel Higgins nicked the frame Monday. — AFP Davis commentating for the BBC described as “the with a break of 82. A pensive Williams, biting his lip, best final ever”. could only sit and suffer, his lead now cut to two. Davis wasn’t the only one left in awe at what he Higgins steamrollered the next 91-0 to leave the Williams finally stopped Higgins’s miraculous again defied the odds to steal the frame with a clear- had witnessed with referee Brendan Moore taking to final tantalisingly poised at 15-14 as the players took march to take the 31st and 32nd frames to leave ‘the ance of 65 and get back to within one. Twitter to declare: “Well I’ve reffed some great a 10 minute time out. Welsh potting machine’ just one shy of the greatest But Williams wasn’t to be denied, sealing the cham- games in my time, but that was an absolute classic.” After a much needed cuppa the two veteran stars prize in the sport. pionship in the next frame and after the trophy pre- Higgins reflected: “Today I was 13-7 behind and I of the green baize resumed hostilities, with ice-cool Williams was one pot away from victory but he sention duly kept his promise - or threat - to strip off was worried if I would take it to the fourth session, I Higgins drawing level at 15-15. missed a pink in the next. Higgins, 63-0 behind, yet for the media. “Cold in here innit” he beamed. — AFP Gatland names Hill, Jenkins co-captains for Wales tour Burgan Bank crowned champions of 21st LONDON: Dragons lock Cory Hill and Cardiff Blues flanker Ellis Jenkins were yesterday named as co-captains for Wales’s Test match- es against South Africa and Argentina next month. Wales head coach bowling tournament Warren Gatland has rested all but two players-wing George North and back-row forward Ross Moriarty-who were original British and KUWAIT: Making a mark in the his- Giving rise to stars from within tory of bowling organized by Kuwait the bank, Ali Qasem took first place Irish Lions selections in New Zealand last summer. Wales coach Warren Gatland It means the likes of regular Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones, num- Banking Club, Burgan Bank, one of in the master category, while Ali ber eight Taulupe Faletau, flanker Justin Tipuric, fly-half Dan Biggar, Kuwait’s most progressive banks, Qasim and Faisal Al Rumaideen won wing Liam Williams and full-back Leigh Halfpenny are among those Forwards (18) recently won first place in four cate- first place in the doubles category who have been given a break. Rob Evans (Scarlets), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), gories. Owing to the dedication followed by Ali Qasim, Faisal Al Gatland, whose side finished as Six Nations runners-up, has Tomas, Francis (Exeter), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff through extensive training and per- Rumaideen & Feras Al Mohareb named one uncapped player, Cardiff Blues scrum-half Tomos Blues), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Adam Beard sistence demonstrated by the grabbed first place in the Trio cate- Williams, in a 31-man squad. Wales face the Springboks in US capital (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Ospreys), Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues), Luke Burgan Bank bowling team, the par- gory. Karim Kouz, Rami Bashour, Washington on June 2, then travel to South America for appointments Charteris (Bath), Cory Hill (Dragons, co-captain), James Davies ticipating team members have previ- Mohammad Al Ebaidli, Michael with the Pumas on June 9 and 16. (Scarlets), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, co-captain), Ross Moriarty ously won top positions in many Hamza, Lucas Simon, Ali Qasim, Experienced Bath lock Luke Charteris has earned a recall, while it (Gloucester), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets). tournaments and recently this sea- Faisal Al Rumaideen & Feras Al is a major opportunity for Jenkins, who is considered by many as a Meanwhile, Gregor Townsend has named six new faces in his son Bowling Tournament and the cup Mohareb came out Champions in future Wales skipper, to make his mark. Gatland said: “We have picked Scotland squad for their summer tour of the United States, Canada of the Banking Club last year. this year’s tournament. Cory and Ellis as co-captains. They are both leaders and have experi- and Argentina. Edinburgh hooker Stuart McInally will captain the With participants from eight Representing Burgan Bank ence captaining at regional level, so this is an opportunity for them to squad, which features the uncapped Lewis Carmichael, Matt Fagerson, banks, the annual tournament was proudly and bringing continuous build on that. “This summer is another step on our 2019 World Cup Adam Hastings, George Horne, James Lang and Jamie Ritchie. held under the patronage of the success in the past, the players path and a great opportunity to build on recent campaigns.” Hastings, the 21-year-old Glasgow fly-half, is the son of ex-Scotland Board Chairman of the Kuwait through their outstanding perform- captain Gavin Hastings and the nephew of Scott Hastings. “There are Banking Club, Fadhel Abdul-Mandi, ance and team work have reflected Wales squad twin goals for this tour-the first is to build on the work we’ve done so Director General of the Kuwait the foundation of real values by Backs (13) far this season and finish with improved performances,” said head coach Banking Club Abbas Al-Bloushi and which the brand stands by - of Aled Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Tomos Williams Townsend. “We also have the Rugby World Cup in our thoughts, as this the coordinator of sports activities trust, commitment, excellence and (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Patchell will be our last tour before we leave for Japan next year. “Touring and Hussein Abdul-Said progression. (Scarlets), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Scott staying together for four weeks and experiencing different environ- Williams (Scarlets), Josh Adams (Worcester), Hallam Amos (Dragons), ments will be very informative-seeing how players get on with each Steff Evans (Scarlets), George North (Northampton), Tom Prydie other, how much they improve and how they rise to each challenge we (Scarlets). face on tour.” Scotland finished third in this year’s Six Nations champi- onship after wins against France, England and Italy. — AFP Farwaniya Education Zone honors senior supervisors, teachers By Abdellatif Sharaa tion teachers of the three educational stages tion and dedication in many fields. also attended. Supervisor Eman Al-Failakawi spoke on KUWAIT: The General Technical Physical The ceremony patronized senior supervi- behalf of supervisors in thanking him for his Education supervisor Waleed Al- sors who were later honored. Members of efforts to enhance the work. Al-Failakawi Salameen, represented Director General of the Information Committee presented herself was honored, as well as Adel Al- Farwaniya Education Zone Jassim reports on all activities and participations of Nasser in recognition of their efforts.