Crucible crowd erupts as Mark Williams shouts two words at fan mid-frame
Crucible crowd erupts as Mark Williams shouts two words at fan mid-frame
The Welsh Potting Machine rarely misses an opportunity to interact with the fans
Mark Williams
(Image: BBC )
Mark Williams and Zhao Xintong are playing out a thrilling World Championship final at the Crucible.
The Chinese star took a 17-8 lead into the final session of the tournament, which is a best-of-35 finale. Zhao needed only one more frame when the evening session began. In truth, it looked like a foregone conclusion at the start of the evening.
However, the 28-year-old was probably not anticipating the Welshman mounting something of a surprising comeback on Monday evening as he found form with some serious break-building prowess.
Williams took the first three frames of the evening session before putting on a potting masterclass in the fourth to give the Crucible crowd something to really cheer about.
There was clearly huge backing for the 50-year-old from the crowd, who roared him on after every Zhao mistake or marvellous long pot.
Article continues below
In the final frame before the mid-session interval, Williams was well on his way to cutting the deficit to 17-12. Having made sure of the frame, one audience member shouted out some words of encouragement to the man from Cwm.
Williams, never one to miss a trick, paused momentarily before turning to the supporter and shouting: "I'm trying!"
The Crucible crowd erupted in laughter and a smile even adorned the face of his opponent, Zhao, who had been sitting patiently while Williams put on a potting clinic before the mid-session interval.
Article continues below
"He's never short of a quip!" BBC commentator John Virgo said, before Williams missed the very next ball after his audience interaction.
But the frame was already wrapped up, though, with Virgo adding: "Can you believe it? We were talking about one frame, we have got to a mid-session interval!
"Incredible stuff from Mark Williams. What a champion. He still trails, though, 17-12."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Love Island's Dejon Noel-Williams on why he didn't seek advice from famous pal
EXCLUSIVE: Dejon Noel-Williams is gearing up to enter the Love Island villa in 2025 - and he's set to follow in the footsteps of a former islander who he has a close bond with As Love Island 2025 gears up for its premiere on Monday, June 9, one contestant is already turning heads: 26-year-old Dejon Noel-Williams from London. A personal trainer and semi-professional footballer, Dejon who is the son of former Premier League striker Gifton Noel-Williams, the nepo baby, also is a close friend to a former islander. While you would think that being a friend of someone who made it to the final of the show would mean you get all the lowdown and ins and outs of the love island experience, this was not the case for Dejon. Dejon shares a close bond with Tyrique Hyde, a standout from Love Island 2023, who finished in third place alongside his then partner, Ella Thomas. Their friendship stems from their fathers' profession and shared experiences growing up. Interestingly, Dejon chose to keep his Love Island participation a secret from Tyrique. "Actually, I didn't tell Tyrique I was going in,' he beamed as we spoke. 'He's going to be surprised. I had to keep the whole thing secret - even when I saw him recently, I didn't say anything. So no advice from him!" Being the son of Gifton, who had a notable football career with clubs like Watford, Stoke City, and Burnley, Dejon has always had a strong role model. Gifton, now 45, transitioned into coaching after his playing days and remains a significant influence in Dejon's life. "My dad's like my best friend,' he says. 'He's always been honest with me - about everything, good and bad - and super supportive. When I played football, he was proud. When I became a trainer, same thing. He supported this too. He told me to just be myself and said the world will love me for who I am." This season, Love Island is lifting its five-year ban on airing intimate scenes, including those in the villa's producer Mike Spencer confirmed that such footage will be broadcast to keep the show "fresh and exciting" in its 10th year. Dejon approached the topic on whether he had spoke to his parents about the potential of having sex on TV, he quipped: "Yeah, we're honest like that. My dad just said he might have to turn off the TV if that happens." As the series airs Monday at 9pm, Dejon is '100% excited' to be heading in, but his path to the villa came with a twist - he didn't actually apply himself. 'Funny enough, I actually didn't sign up for the show—it was my sisters who did it for me,' Dejon revealed. The 26-year-old from London explained that his family had long pushed him to take the leap into reality TV. 'They've been saying for ages, 'You need to go on Love Island,' and I just kept brushing it off,' he said. After more than a year and a half of being single, his sisters decided to take matters into their own hands. And while Dejon may not have submitted his own application, he's now embracing the experience. 'I think they just want me to be back in a relationship,' he added. The former footballer also opened up about his last relationship, which lasted four years. 'Yeah, it is [a long time],' he admitted. 'We fell deeply in love during COVID. Things moved really fast—she moved in with me and we spent a lot of time together.' But like many relationships formed during the intense lockdown period, cracks eventually began to show. 'Over time, our goals and alignments changed. We just didn't match up anymore,' he said. Despite having a famous dad, Dejon has denied that he is a nepo baby as he enters the the villa. Dejon said: "Now that I've been called a nepo baby, I don't know how to react." He was also asked about his friendship with former Love Island star Tyrique Hyde. He said: "I've known him since we were kids, like babies. My dad and his dad played for the same team and they were best friends. As we got older, we had similar interests. We played for the same teams and we played against each other at football." Dejon is currently playing for Bedford Town and has previously played for Oxford United, Wealdstone, Guadalajara and the Grenada national team. The next series of Love Island is due to grace our screens on Monday for the 2025 series. A whole host of new singles have been chosen to go into the villa to try and find love while also navigating the twists and turns of the show. The series will be filmed in its usual Majorcan villa but it has been given a spruce up since last year. Love Island returns Monday, June 9 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
Wales Online
17 hours ago
- Wales Online
Wales international left heartbroken amid wild promotion celebrations
Wales international left heartbroken amid wild promotion celebrations Sam Davies and Grenoble were hoping to make it third time lucky in the Pro D2 play-off final, but underdogs Montauban spoiled their day Sam Davies looks crestfallen as Montauban fans celebrate their promotion to the Top 14 (Image: FR-UK YouTube ) Wales fly-half Sam Davies once again suffered Top 14 heartbreak as Pro D2 leaders Grenoble were beaten in a dramatic promotion play-off by Montauban in Toulouse. For the third year in a row, Grenoble were once again beaten in the Pro D2 play-off match - with Montauban sealing their place in the top flight of France ahead of next season. Davies' Grenoble had finished the season top of the Pro D2 with a dominant 98 points - 21 more than sixth-placed Montauban. However, as was the case in 2023 and 2024, Grenoble were unable to win - as Montauban continued their remarkable play-off run with a spirited 24-19 victory. All is not lost for Grenoble and Davies though, with the Top 14 access match still to come. That will see them face the second-to-last team in the Top 14 from this season, with the winner playing in the top flight next season. Having signed a new three-year deal with Grenoble this season, the hope for Davies would have been that the French club could finally make the step back up to the Top 14. Article continues below Ultimately, despite 11 points from the boot of the 10-cap Wales international, that wasn't to be. The Welshman was forced off injured after just six minutes of the match, using his jersey as a makeshift sling for his arm as he left the pitch. However, his absence was short-lived - returning to the field 10 minutes later with Grenoble leading 3-0. Soon after, he extended their lead from the tee with a penalty of his own. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. However, underdogs Montauban rallied back - taking a 21-6 lead in the early stages of the second-half. The boot of Davies - as well as a try from Wilfried Hulleu - dragged Grenoble back to within two points. Article continues below With 13 minutes left on the clock, Davies had a penalty out wide to nudge Grenoble ahead, but his effort was agonisingly wide. Thomas Fortunel knocked over a long-range penalty six minutes from time to extend Montauban's lead. Desperately needing a try, Grenoble couldn't find a score late on - leading to wild celebrations from the Montauban fans.
Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Zharnel Hughes set to rewrite history as GB's fastest man changes mindset
British record holder over 100m and 200m became a father in the winter and believes new mindset leaves him in a good position to finally land World Championship medal in Tokyo this year Zharnel Hughes is determined to change the nearly man narrative with Britain's fastest sprinter hoping new dad strength can propel him to the global medal he badly craves. The 100m and 200m national record holder last year saw his Paris Olympic dreams shattered by a hamstring injury. But having welcomed a baby boy in mid-winter, Hughes, 29, says he is now looking at life differently as he sets his sights on making up for past disappointments at September's World Championships in Tokyo. When Japan's capital hosted the Games four years ago, he false started in the 100m final and then had a relay silver stripped away after team-mate CJ Ujah was caught doping. But with Hughes' body 'feeling nice and strong' and several solid races already under his belt in Michael Johnson's Grand Slam series, he is in a good place early in an unusually long season. And the prospect of stepping on to the same track that brought the lowest moment of his career brings no sense of fear. 'It would be amazing to rewrite history,' he says. 'I've moved on from (Tokyo), it's long gone now but I'm looking forward to getting out there to compete.' Hughes is keen on manifestation and keeps a daily journal that charts every high and low but rather than the woes of old weigh heavily on his shoulders, his experience is becoming one of his strongest assets. Already this season there have been a couple of races where he has noticed technical issues when transitioning out of the blocks but did not panic and finished strongly. Hughes laughingly says he 'I don't want to think about' turning 30 next month but he has acquired a newfound wisdom. 'I've changed as an athlete,' Hughes says. 'It was always my job but now I know I need to take care of my son. 'I look over at him every day, hear him laugh, and I feel it's changed my mindset. Nothing else matters to me. As long as I'm making him happy and providing for him and the family is good, I'm happy.' He knows setting off soon for a summer tour across Europe before heading to Asia in early autumn will be difficult and they are already practicing FaceTime routines. 'It won't be easy but it has to be done,' he adds, and if he can bring that medal back home it will all prove worthwhile.
