Perry and O'Sullivan advance to semis but Higgins is out - 20/11/2008

JOE Perry became the second man to reach the play-offs of the 2008 PartyPoker.com Premier League Snooker.

Joe Perry (in action) and Ronnie O'Sullivan (background) have both qualified for the semi-finals of the 2008 PartyPoker.com Premier League Snooker

Perry joins Mark Selby in the semi-finals, which will take place at the Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk at the beginning of December.

Incredibly, both Perry and Selby have been taking part in the Premier League for the first time this season but have adapted to the 25-second shot clock with no problems.

Perry confirmed a top four spot with a victory over John Higgins in the ninth round of matches, staged at the Sands Centre, Carlisle.

However, the defeat proved costly for Higgins as it meant he could no longer qualify. It also meant that Ronnie O'Sullivan was also guaranteed a top four place as the two players directly below him in the table - Ding Junhui and Stephen Hendry - meet each other in the final round of league matches on November 27.

"I'm chuffed to bits," said a delighted Perry. "At the start of the tournament I just wanted to enjoy the experience but as it progressed I had more of a chance and I completed the job here.

"Even though there's a lot of money at stake, I was geared up to win three frames so to get four was an extra bonus.

"I knew John had to beat me 5-1 or 6-0 but I started really well and that knocked the wind out of his sails but he showed his class at the end.

"I beat Mark in the final of the Championship League to qualify so it's ironic that we're meeting next week in Kidderminster to see who will finish top of the Premier League. It would be nice to win the league stage."

Perry took control of the match right from the start and breaks of 72 and 65 saw him clinch the opening two frames. Further scores of 39 and 41 in the third gave him a 3-0 lead to ensure he would be playing in the semi-finals.

The lead became 4-0 soon after before Higgins showed his class by making 120 for his 380th century break of his professional career, his sixth of the 2008/09 season but only his first in this Premier League campaign.

John Higgins 2-4 Joe Perry
0-72 (Perry 72), 10-75 (Perry 65), 36-81 (Perry 39, 41), 1-68 (Perry 30), 120-0 (Higgins 120), 76-21 (Higgins 76)