O'Sullivan scrapes through to the Premier League final - 02/12/2008

Ronnie O'Sullivan 5-4 Joe Perry
68-55 (O'Sullivan 32, Perry 40), 0-93 (Perry 85), 93-20 (O'Sullivan 79), 8-76 (Perry 72), 93-24 (O'Sullivan 31, 62), 0-95 (Perry 95), 69-6 (O'Sullivan 52), 4-100 (Perry 100), 104-4 (O'Sullivan 104)

RONNIE O'Sullivan will meet Mark Selby in the final of the 2008 PartyPoker.com Premier League Snooker.

O'Sullivan stayed on course for his fifth consecutive title with a nerve-jangling 5-4 victory over Joe Perry in the second semi-final.

"I'm pleased with the win and to be in the final but there were so many mistakes the match could've gone either way," said O'Sullivan.

"Joe deserved to win as he won more frames in one visit than I did but maybe my experience told.

"I always think I have a chance as long as I'm still in the game but I made it difficult for myself and Joe played well under pressure.

"But I like playing deciding frames, it's an adrenaline rush but I should be like that from the off and taking more of my chances instead of having to find some inspirational stuff at the end."

The second semi-final at the Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk, was between defending champion O'Sullivan and tournament newcomer Perry.

In the league phase Perry finished second and recorded a 4-2 win over O'Sullivan, who came third.

O'Sullivan had dominated the Premier League for the last few seasons, winning in each of the last four events and was hoping for more success.

He clinched a scrappy opening frame by 13 points to move into an early lead in this best of nine match. But a break of 85 from Perry levelled the scores before O'Sullivan took advantage of a poor Perry miss on a red for a run of 79 in the third and a 2-1 lead.

There was a lengthy safety battle at the start of the fourth before Perry had an oportunity and he took it thanks to a break of 72 to bring the scores back level at 2-2.

Both players made errors in the fifth as both players missed reds into centre pockets that they would usually pocket before Perry had some bad luck with a bad kick. However, he then missed a later red and that proved costly as O'Sullivan hit 62 to regain the lead.

It again did not last long as Perry, for the third time in the match, levelled the scores thanks to an effort of 95. But O'Sullivan claimed the seventh frame to move only one away from the final.

A missed red had looked like proving costly from O'Sullivan but Perry could only manage six before the Rocket was back at the table. This time he took advantage with a break of 52 for 4-3.

The match then went down to the wire as Perry responded in perfect fashion with a century break. One frame would decide who advances to the final and who would be out.

The decisive moment came in the early stages of the last frame. O'Sullivan's break was short and left Perry a chance on a long red but he missed it and left O'Sullivan in a great position.

He produced a magnificient 104 break under pressure to advance to the final again.