Rocket Ron moves into third - 28/10/2010

Ronnie O’Sullivan 4 – 2 Mark Williams
99 (98) – 0; 123 (44, 78) – 0; 16 – 61 (47); 74 (70) – 38; 103 (39, 50) – 15; 4 – 78 (34, 40)

Ronnie O’Sullivan turned his Premier League campaign around with a determined 4-2 over Mark Williams at the Penrith Leisure Centre to move from last to third spot in the table and give himself a realistic chance of making November’s play-offs.

With O’Sullivan in the unfamiliar position of being rooted to the foot of the table, a strong performance was required if he was to maintain his long run of reaching the Premier League play-offs.

He started out well with a break of 98 and followed that up with a 78 to go 2-0 to the good with Williams pointless. The Welshman though, took the third as O’Sullivan gave away an opportunity to take the frame as he missed a red down the cushion.

‘The Rocket’ though rolled in a 70 in the fourth to give himself a point but given his position in the league, only two points would do. That came in the fifth frame when breaks of 39 and 50 secured the two points for O’Sullivan.

Williams took the final frame to keep himself in second spot, one above O’Sullivan but it was the Rocket’s night and his play-off chances considerably improved with the win.

O’Sullivan was critical of his performance but happy with the victory; “I played alright when I was in the balls and was relaxed and that was good to feel relaxed at table.”

“My long game wasn’t good though. I’ve not been able to pot long balls for last six or seven years so I’m relying on nouse around the table and on people not playing well for me to win but a win’s a win.”