Date:06/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/06/stories/2004120603171700.htm

Sport - Billiards & Snooker

Allen is champion

EINDHOVEN (HOLLAND), DEC. 5 In a contest of the highest quality, 17-year-old Mark Allen beat former world champion Steve Mifsud 11-6 in the best-of-21-frames final of the IBSF World snooker championship.

The match provided an appealing contrast between the styles of two wonderful players. Allen's break building ability springs from a hugely entertaining array of strokes, made with lightning speed and supreme confidence, while his 31-year-old opponent, equally capable in the big breaks department, is a model of the old-fashioned virtue of solidity.

The scores (final): Mark Allen beat Steve Mifsud 11-6. First session: 0-135(135), 79-8, 85(63)-0, 72(54)-9, 6-80(61), 78-34, 68-43, 67-65, 4-125(125), 78(57)-1; Second session: 12-64, 82-40, 63(58)-51, 91(66)-7, 71-44, 70-21, 79(72)-21. — Michael Ferreira