Selby edges closer to play-off place - 30/10/2008

MARK Selby took another step closer to qualifying for the 2008 PartyPoker.com Premier League Snooker play-offs.

Mark Selby

In the second match of the night at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield a victory for Selby would have seen him become the first man to qualify for the semi-finals.

However, he could only manage a draw but will be pleased with the result as opponent Ronnie O'Sullivan was 3-1 ahead and had chances in both of the last frames to claim victory.

Breaks of 46 and 75 gave O'Sullivan the opener before a missed pink from Selby proved crucial as O'Sullivan stole the frame by a four-point margin.

A missed yellow into the centre pocket from Selby gave O'Sullivan a chance in the third and he moved 22 points ahead. But a later failed safety attempt from O'Sullivan saw Selby return to the table and his break of 38 led to his first frame of the night.

But O'Sullivan restored his two-frame advantage soon after thanks to a break of 64 but his run ended earlier than he hoped when he failed to pot the green and the break was over.

The fifth frame was the longest of the night by some distance as both players battled to get the edge in a lengthy safety exchange. O'Sullivan eventually went in-off and Selby's break of 41 kept the match alive.

O'Sullivan had an opportunity to win the match in the final frame as he was first to pot a ball but his attempt at the black saw the ball left on the edge of the pocket but did not drop.

Selby took full advantage with a break of 89 to seal a 3-3 draw, although he missed the pink as the chance of a century break slipped through his fingers.

Ronnie O'Sullivan 3-3 Mark Selby
121-10 (O'Sullivan 46, 75), 60-56 (O'Sullivan 47), 41-62 (Selby 38), 71-28 (O'Sullivan 64), 5-98 (Selby 41), 19-94 (Selby 89)