Williams claims third play-off spot - 10/11/2011

Final: Mark Williams 1-3 John Higgins
1-130 (Higgins 125), 44-77 (Williams 43), 24-89 (Higgins 89), 22-69 (Higgins 48)

John Higgins won the penultimate evening of PartyPoker.com Premier League Snooker but the real winner was Mark Williams who nabbed the requisite single frame to see himself through to the play-offs later on this month where he will join Ding Junhui and Judd Trump.

Higgins was already out of the competition but showed some good form with the UK Championships on the horizon and the Masters in the New Year.

Williams suffered a piece of bad luck in the opener as he opened the pack superbly off a blue into the centre pocket but a red flew out of the cluster and fell into the corner bag to give Higgins a great chance.

The Scotsman took full advantage as he ran in a magnificent break of 125 to claim the £1,000 top break prize and put Williams under some pressure.

Williams was forced to open the pack when on 24 in the next, but despite playing a decent shot, was forced to play a safety up table. A long red followed by a very tight snooker behind the brown saw Higgins foul and laid the foundations but Williams missed while on 22 and allowed Higgins a chance.

The Scotsman though missed the final red into a blind pocket to give Williams the opportunity he was waiting for and he converted it to grab the frame to take him into the play-offs.

The rest of the match was a formality with Williams already through and Higgins already out. The remaining two frames went to Higgins as he secured the win.

“That was the best I’ve played in Premier League so it was good to get a win. It’s not nice to come into a night when you can’t do anything but I’m happy I won ahead of the UK and Masters,” said Higgins.

“I did well in the first match and I needed one frame to get through which I did. John played well though – the commentators were saying hers gone but if that’s gone.... I’m in the play-offs though and as they say, you’ve got to be in it to win it,” added Williams.