Snooker: Hunter repeats final feat

Paul Hunter became the first player for nearly a decade to retain his Benson and Hedges Masters title after an epic battle against world number one Mark Williams.

Hunter, who lifted the trophy last year after a 10–9 comeback win against Fergal O'Brien, produced another great comeback to defeat the left–handed Welshman by the same score.

The 23–year–old from Leeds came from 5–0 down to retain his title and claim a record £190,000 first prize.

It took his earnings to £324,000 and catapulted him to the top of the season's money list.

Girlfriend Lyndsey Fell was among the first people to congratulate Hunter, who followed up his recent win in the Welsh Open at Cardiff.

She was part of 'Plan B' 12 months ago when Hunter rallied from 6–2 down at the mid–session interval thanks to a hotel bedroom rendezvous.

He had 'Plan C' up his sleeve in case of emergency this year and there was certainly a spark to his play over the closing stages.

He finished the afternoon two frames down to give himself a chance of defending the famous gold trophy.

From 5–3 in arrears he compiled a 61 to make it 5–4 and then completed his comeback in a dramatic finale to frame 10.

Williams initially had to get up from his attempted pot on the black due to interuption from the crowd.

On his second attempt Williams suffered a huge 'kick' when the cue ball struck the black and Hunter was able to sink the black to level at 5–5.

Fortunes were reversed in the 11th frame when Hunter unluckily went in–off after potting the pink and a break of 53 left the Yorkshireman requiring three snookers.

But by the time the players reached the final mid–session interval Hunter had again obtained parity helped by producing another half–century – his third of the game.

Hunter threatened to gain the lead for the first time when the match resumed.

He produced some superb tactical play to obtain two snookers on the colours and then required the last three balls for a 7–6 advantage.

Surprisingly he rattled the jaws of a top pocket trying to sink the blue and Williams accepted his reprieve.

Another error on a simple black at the start of frame 14 did not prove to be as costly as it might have been.

And Hunter recovered later with 84 to bring the players level once more.

Eventually after four hours 38 minutes Hunter nosed clear. Williams, appearing to wilt under the tension, missed the final yellow and at the same time knocked in the pink to give Hunter his opportunity.

By now the match was over running the BBC TV television schedules, delaying coverage of the Winter Olympics from Salt Lake City.

Just when his title hopes looked to be heading downhill, Williams rallied once again.

A break of 45 enabled him to take frame 16 and for a second successive season the final was heading for a deciding frame shoot–out.

And having beaten Hendry on a re–spotted black finish to the 1998 final Williams clearly had the nerve and the staying power.

But so too had Hunter after his exciting finish to the 2001 final against Fergal O'Brien.

Hunter hit the front at 9–8 but did not get a chance in the penultimate frame and Williams fashioned an immaculate run of 72 to produce another Masters cliffhanger.

Williams had a chance early on but could not take it and Hunter's cool 55 gave him the title. Williams collected £95,000 by way of consolation.