Williams fights back to make winning Premier League return - 16/09/2010

MARK Williams fought back from 2-0 down to win on his return to the PartyCasino.com Premier League Snooker competition after a five-year absence.

Two-time World Champion Williams was playing his first match in the prestigious tournament since May 2005 after suffering a slump in form that saw him fall to 47th in the world rankings.

However, a victory in April's China Open saw him back in the Premier League and he took full advantage as he beat Masters Champion Mark Selby 4-2 at a packed Plymouth Pavilions.

Mark Williams made a winning return to the competition

"I can't remember the last time I played in front of this many people," said 35-year-old Williams. "The more people watching, the more you enjoy it and you play better. Apart from two or three ranking tournaments, the Premier League is the best event in snooker.

"Selby started off really well, knocked in a century and I thought I would be three or 4-0 down within 45 minutes.

"That's how good a player he is - I was two down before I had a shot but that's what happens. I then got my chances and started making some good breaks."

Both players were making their return to the tournament as Selby had not played in the 2009 event despite reaching the final in 2008.

In the opener, a long red stayed out from Selby but Williams had only potted two balls before Selby was back at the table and this time a score of 101 won him the frame but also earnt a £1,000 bonus for a century break.

Williams made a loose safety in the opening phase of the second and was again punished as within 20 minutes he was 2-0 down. Selby's run of 84 clinched the second, although a missed green ended his hopes of back-to-back centuries.

A large crowd at Plymouth Pavilions were being treated to a fantastic night's entertainment and Williams finally got a chance in the third. He took it and did so in style as he rattled off a break of 113 but still trailed 2-1.

Selby made 22 at the start of the fourth but had no luck when going into the pack and subsequently missed a red into the centre pocket. Williams had a chance for the frame but failed with a shot on a spotted yellow after scoring 48. But it did not matter as Selby twice missed frame-winning pots on the pink as Williams pulled it back for 2-2.

Williams continued his revival in the fifth frame as efforts of 35 and 47 moved him in front for the first time in the match.

The Welshman continued the recovery by winning a tough sixth frame, which included a lengthy safety battle. But a loose effort on a red from Selby gave Williams the chance and he took it to claim the two points.

Mark Williams 4-2 Mark Selby
Williams' scores first
3-101 (Selby 101), 0-85 (Selby 84), 113-0 (Williams 113), 67-52 (Williams 48), 82-0 (Williams 35, 47), 65-3 (Williams 42)