• Results

The 48-year-old, who was the last player to qualify for the event via the Golden Ticket Play-Off last month, came through a strong field at the famous venue to lift the most prestigious title in seniors snooker for the first time.

Burden’s campaign began with a repeat of the 2023 World Seniors Snooker Championship final and he exacted revenge on four-time winner Jimmy White, before showing his fighting qualities from 3-0 down against Maltese legend Tony Drago to advance to the semi-finals.

A comfortable 6-2 victory over Australian debutant Hassan Kerde then set up a title match meeting with 2018 champion Aaron Canavan from Jersey after he stunned Dominic Dale in the last four.

The best-of-15 frame final was split into three mini-sessions of five frames and the first of these saw a moment of history as Michaela Tabb, who became the first female referee to take charge of a World Snooker Championship final in 2009, took charge of her final frames at the Crucible Theatre.

It was Canavan who broke the deadlock but the Englishman quickly hit back to take four successive frames, with help from contributions of 74 and 54, to lead 4-1 at the first interval.

A 75 saw the cueist from Jersey reduce the deficit before Burden once again showed off his scoring prowess by hit consecutive breaks 65, 109 and 80 to move one away from victory at 7-2.

Canavan was able to avoid defeat before the second interval as he took frame 10 and further threatened a comeback by taking the next to put the scoreline at 7-4.

Burden admitted afterwards that, even at 7-3 ahead, he had told his coach Patsy Fagan that he “wasn’t fancying winning” but there were few signs of nerves in the title-winning frame as he fired in a flamboyant break of 76 to get over the line as an 8-4 victor.

Following the victory, Burden said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I thought I played well in the final. It’s been a massive journey with so many ups and downs. I think it’s been well documented that I think I’ve underachieved in my career but you’ve got to enjoy this moment.

“It was a strong field this week and I felt like I played the best snooker and deserved to win the tournament. Jimmy White texted me this morning and so did Ken Doherty – we are all great friends and players get behind each other. Only one person can win and this was my week.”

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The two former finalists reached the title match by overcoming Hassan Kerde and Dominic Dale respectively on a memorable semi-final Saturday at the iconic Crucible Theatre.

Canavan heads into the title match aiming to become only the second multiple champion of the most prestigious event in seniors snooker, after four-time winner Jimmy White, while Burden hopes to go one step further than he did in 2023 when he ended as runner-up to ‘The Whirlwind’.

Former professional Burden and Asia-Pacific Seniors champion Kerde, from Australia, kicked off a bumper session with a best-of-11 frame contest.

Burden was in fine form and he wasted no time in racing into a 4-0 lead with breaks of 57 and 65. The Australian briefly rallied, taking back-to-back frames to half the deficit, but a rapid-fire contribution of 97 put Burden back in the acendency and he secured his place in the final by taking the next frame.

Post-match, Burden said: “It was a tough game but I was pleased with the way I played and it stands me in good stead for the final. I’ve prepared well, practiced hard and I feel confident. I feel really strong – I’m going out and expecting to win tomorrow.”

The second semi-final of the afternoon saw Canavan face Dale and, after sharing the first four frames of the contest, ‘The Spaceman’ appeared to step up a gear and fired in back-to-back century breaks of 109 and 131 before moving one frame from victory by taking the seventh.

The man from Jersey refused to go away, however, and managed to take the next three frames with a top visit of 65 to force an unlikely deciding frame.

The decider was a nervy affair with both players spurning golden opportunities for the win. Ultimately, it was Canavan who took it on the colours to complete a famous comeback and set up a final meeting with Burden.

Canavan said: “It was tough. After last night, I was really tired but I gave myself a good talking to in the dressing room and came out fighting. It’s dream, you never think that you will get there and then all of a sudden something happens and you’re actually living the dream.”

The final takes place on Sunday 11 May from 12:00 BST  live on Channel 5.

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In support of Age UK and other local charities, residents from the aging population in the city were invited along to the afternoon session of the quarter-finals as Dominic Dale and Alfie Burden secured their places in the last four.

Prior to the session, the residents had the opportunity to socialise and meet with snooker legends including Dennis Taylor, John Virgo, John Parrott, Joe Johnson, Cliff Thorburn and Neal Foulds for autographs and photographs in the Crucible Theatre foyer.

Rohit Sagoo, a Non-Executive Director for World Seniors Snooker, said: “We dreamed up the concept three years ago as a way to give back to the aging residents of Sheffield. It is fantastic to see so many people in attendance once again being given the chance to socialise and meet some of the greats of our sport.”

Jason Francis, Chairman of World Seniors Snooker, said: “We are delighted to welcome residents from the aging population of Sheffield along to snooker’s most famous venue for an afternoon of unforgettable snooker action. It is a privilege to see this event grow year-on-year and gives us great pleasure to support the local community.”

Learn more about Age UK.

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Former World Seniors Snooker champion Aaron Canavan and 2023 runner-up Alfie Burden will be joined by tournament debutants Dominic Dale and Hassan Kerde on semi-final Saturday at the sport’s most iconic venue.

The afternoon session began with a mouthwatering tie between recently-retired former professionals Dale and Joe Perry.

‘The Spaceman’ made an unforgettable arrival into the arena, donning a trilby and faux-fur coat for his entrance in a nod to the late Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins, and his performance lived up to expectations as he fired in stunning breaks of 97 and 99 before completing his 4-1 victory with a current tournament high break of 128.

Dale said: “I’ve been practicing hard here and I’ve found some form. I was confident going into the match. I was trying to enjoy it and express myself.”

A seven-frame battle filled with drama followed as Burden and Tony Drago went all the way to a deciding frame.

The Maltese cueist raced into a 3-0 lead in unusual circumstances as he won back-to-back respotted blacks to move one frame away from the last four.

Drago began to show signs of nerves, however, missing opportunities in each of the next two frames and Burden took full advantage by forcing a decider with help from breaks of 53 and 51.

The final frame was filled with tension as both players spurned multiple opportunities but it was Burden who was able to take it on the colours before letting out a roar to the Crucible crowd.

Burden said: “I am very proud of the determination I showed from a really bad position which I put myself in. I made a lot of errors early on but I showed good spirit, dug in and refused to be beaten.”

A contest between two continental seniors champions kicked off the evening session as Australia’s Kerde faced South Africa’s Charl Jonck.

The first four frames of the match were shared between the two players with a break of 70 from Jonck being the highlight. From there, however, the Australian pulled away and a contribution of 85 in the sixth frame was enough to secure a 4-2 success.

Kerde said: “I’m over the moon, I feel like I’m shaking on the inside. I’m the first person to come from Australia and reach the semi-finals of the World Seniors Snooker Championship and hopefully I can do the country proud.”

There was late-night drama at the Crucible as the quarter-finals reached a conclusion with a meeting between qualifiers Canavan and Wayne Townsend.

Canavan, a former winner of the most prestigious title in seniors snooker, started off the stronger and took a 3-1 lead before Townsend hit back with a break of 85 to reduce the deficit.

The man from Jersey was able to hold his nerve, however, and took the next to win 4-2 and set up a semi-final meeting with Dale.

The semi-finals take place on Saturday 10 May from 12:00 BST  live on Channel 5.

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The quarter-final line-up in Sheffield was completed by the close of play on Thursday as Burden and Jonck were joined by Tony Drago, who dramatically defeated Gerard Greene in a deciding frame, and Hassan Kerde – who whitewashed Tony Knowles on his Crucible debut.

A blockbuster afternoon session saw four-times World Seniors Snooker champion White and 1997 world champion Doherty in action in front of a buzzing Yorkshire crowd at snooker’s most iconic venue.

An all-London affair saw ‘The Whirlwind’ taking on Burden in a repeat of the 2023 World Seniors Snooker Championship final and it was the ‘Golden Ticket’ play-off qualifier who made a strong start to move into a 2-0 lead.

White hit back with an 82 break to reduce the deficit but never truly got going in his pursuit of a record-extending fifth title and it was opponent who comfortably got over the line a 4-1 victor with a concluding break of 92.

Post-match Burden reflected: “I first practiced with Jimmy when I was a 15-year-old boy. We’ve had this amazing friendship for many years and I don’t get any pleasure in beating Jimmy but I was focused on winning and I had to blank out who I was playing. I know he wants me to win it now.”

In one of the biggest upsets in the history of the Championship, South African qualifier Jonck overcame former world champion Doherty 4-2 on his Crucible debut.

The opening exchanges were scrappy but Doherty was able to move into a 2-0 lead before Jonck hit back and a break of 64 restored parity at 2-2.

From there, the reigning African Seniors champion visibly grew in confidence and ran out a 4-2 winner with a further contribution of 63 in the penultimate frame.

“That was surreal. It was the lifelong ambition becoming a reality” Jonck said, adding: “The crowd were electric and it was the best feeling ever. Everybody loves an underdog story, don’t they?”

After defeating White in the opening match of the afternoon, Burden will next face Malta’s Drago in the quarter-finals after ‘The Tornado’ came through a dramatic encounter with Greene in the evening session.

The Maltese cueist took the opener with a break of 75 and looked set to double his advantage before Greene managed to get two snooker’s and steal the second with a calm colour clearance.

The next four frames were shared, resulting in the tournament’s first decider, and it was Drago who fired in a break of 68 to reach the last eight.

Drago said: “At one time it looked like I might win easily and have an early night but then I collapsed in nearly every frame. I couldn’t have done this before, missing so many balls and then coming back from 3-2 down to win, so I think in my old age I am doing something right that I didn’t do before!”

The quarter-final line-up was completed by Australia’s Kerde as he impressed on debut to whitewash former world number two Knowles.

The Asia-Pacific Seniors champion will now face Jonck on Friday in a international clash after breaks of 53, 62, 66 and 59 gave Kerde victory in one of the finest performances of the opening round.

“I’m over the moon. I’ve watched the Crucible for the last 20 years and to just come and watch a match would have been awesome. This is everything, I consider myself one of the top amateur players in Australia and this is a world stage so to go all the way would mean everything for my life.” Kerde said following his victory.

The quarter-finals take place tomorrow from 12:00 BST  live on Channel 5 and 5Action.

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The day began at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sheffield where a business breakfast was staged with around 30 attendees from local businesses attending to network and listen to special guest speeches.

Tom Hunt, Leader of the Sheffield City Council, spoke proudly about the long-standing relationship between snooker and Sheffield as well as his future vision of the city.

The morning concluded with an entertaining chat between World Seniors Snooker Chairman Jason Francis and 1985 world champion Dennis Taylor, who discussed his famous connection with Sheffield since he played at the first ever World Snooker Championship in 1977.

Attendees to the event were then invited to attend the afternoon session at the Crucible Theatre where four-time World Seniors Snooker champion Jimmy White and 1997 world champion Ken Doherty were among those in action on the baize.

Jason Francis, Chairman of World Seniors Snooker, said: “We are proud to have staged the first ‘Business of Sheffield Day’ during the 2025 JenningsBet World Seniors Snooker Championship. It was wonderful to see so many people in attendance and we hope that this is an event that can grow year on year as World Seniors Snooker continues to build an important relationship with the city.”

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The Englishman will face former champion Aaron Canavan in the quarter-finals after he overcame Andrew Norman 4-2 in the concluding match of the opening day, while recent former professionals Joe Perry and Dominic Dale set up a mouthwatering last eight clash with respective 4-2 wins against Brazil’s Fabio Anderson Luersen and England’s Craig Steadman.

A total of 16 players from nine countries embarked on the sport’s most iconic venue for the latest edition of the World Seniors Snooker Championship and the opening day, which came less than 48 hours after Zhao Xintong lifted snooker’s biggest prize at the same venue.

The big story of the day saw an emotional Townsend end the hopes of defending champion Figueiredo at the first hurdle in dramatic fashion, taking both the first and last frames on the final black to get over the line a 4-2 victor.

Post-match, Townsend said: “I’m on cloud nine. It’s not fully sunk in but I’ve calmed down a little bit now. It doesn’t come better than this – I was playing the world champion and I’ve knocked him out! There’s no reason why I can’t be the world champion and there is nobody here I can’t beat.”

He will face 2018 World Seniors Snooker champion Canavan in the last eight after he downed fellow qualifier Norman to reach the quarter-finals.

The current World Seniors Snooker world number one lost the opener but hit back with a break of 89 and from there, he never looked back as he took the next three frames to get over line and set up a meeting with Townsend.

“I felt well today, I’ve been practicing hard for the past three or four weeks so I’m very happy with the shape of my game. I’ve been lucky enough to play here a few times so it is getting more familiar which, in turn, means you don’t put so much pressure on yourself. If you enjoy it then the chances are that you will play better.” Canavan reflected after the match.

Earlier in the day, seniors snooker debutants Perry and Dale made the perfect start to life after retirement from the professional ranks by each reaching the last eight during the event’s opening session.

In the opening match of the day, Perry and Pan-American Seniors champion Luersen put on a stunning display as ‘The Gentleman’ hit breaks of 76, 76 and 94 while his Brazilian opponent countered with a 74 of his own to put the scoreline at 3-1.

Luersen narrowed the deficit to one by taking frame five but it was too little too late as a confident Perry got over the line in the next to set up a enthralling quarter-final clash with Dale.

Perry said: “I really enjoyed it. I was a little bit nervous which I was pleased about, I didn’t want to be flat and not care. If I score like that when I get my chances then it’s going to be a good game for someone to beat me.”

Fellow recently-retired former professional Dale secured a 4-2 victory over European Seniors champion Steadman to become the second player into the last eight.

The match got off to a scrappy start but Dale was able to take the first two frames before Steadman hit back to restore parity. ‘The Spaceman’ had scored just five points in the previous two frames but was able to step up a gear with contributions of 40 and 107 to book his place in the last eight.

“I’m really pleased with my response from 2-2. To win a tournament at the Crucible would be fantastic – it’s a special place to play!” Dale said after the match.

The first round concludes tomorrow from 12:00 BST with Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, Tony Drago and Tony Knowles in action live on Channel 5 and 5Action.

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Jason Francis, Chairman of WSS, said: “The JenningsBet World Seniors Snooker Championship celebrates legacy and memories, honouring former legends and creating new ones. For many, the historical prize for a 147 break was always a car and so we are delighted to partner with BYD Lookers Sheffield to offer this fantastic prize.”

Ryan Smith, General Manager of BYD Lookers Sheffield said “It’s great for BYD Sheffield to be involved with the World Seniors Snooker Championship and to showcase our brand at the famous Crucible Theatre live on Channel 5.”

The car on offer will be displayed outside the Crucible Theatre during the event and fans will be able to view it and book a test drive with BYD Lookers Sheffield.

Learn more about BYD Lookers Sheffield.

Tickets remain available for the World Seniors Championship and start from just £17.50.

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• Results

The 48-year-old Englishman will face Jimmy White at the Crucible Theatre in a repeat of the 2023 World Seniors Snooker Championship final after coming through a field of 16 players in Reading last weekend.

The Play-Off line-up was made up top eight ranked players who did not qualify automatically for the flagship event in each of the official two-year world ranking list and the one-year ‘Race to the Crucible Series’ ranking list.

Burden had missed out on an automatic place at the Championship by just a single frame in the concluding qualification event of the season but bounced back in the Golden Ticket Play-Off event.

Victories over Andy Lavin (4-2), Irish former professional Rodney Goggins (4-1) and Stuart Watson (4-1) saw Burden book his place in the final where he faced compatriot Ford.

The 49-year-old had dropped just three frames in as many matches en route to the final and a break of 67 in frame five put Ford just one away from victory and a Crucible debut.

Burden refused to be beaten, however, forcing a decider before getting over the line by a 78-46 scoreline to complete the victory and earn a return to snooker’s most iconic venue.

Tickets remain available for the World Seniors Championship and start from just £17.50.

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Earlier this year, Sheffield City Council hosted the Lord Mayor Awards – a celebration of Sheffield’s trailblazers, making a difference to the city and to Sheffield life.

World Seniors Snooker has announced that they will be hosting the award winners, alongside Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Cllr Jayne Dunn, at the final of the JenningsBet World Seniors Snooker Championship on Sunday 11 May at the Crucible Theatre.

The Lord Mayor will celebrate with her winners at a champagne reception in the presence of some snooker legends before enjoying the afternoons match, where a new World Seniors Snooker champion will be crowned.

Jason Francis, Chairman of World Seniors, said: “The final of our World Championship is the biggest day of our season and so it’s great to be able to host the Lord Mayor and her award winners to further celebrate this great city of Sheffield, the home of snooker.”

Cllr Jayne Dunn, Lord Mayor of Sheffield, said: “When I was appointed Lord Mayor, I pledged to make sure that the achievements of our residents and the dedication they show to the city is given a platform, and the Lord Mayor Awards, which took place earlier this year, did just that.

“I am delighted that those worthy winners will now be honoured once again at the World Seniors Championships. Sheffield loves snooker, which is why I am delighted to attend the final – for the first-ever and very special Lord Mayor’s Day – to celebrate Sheffield, its residents and snooker.”

The JenningsBet World Seniors Snooker Championship, which will be aired once again this year live on Channel 5, follows on from the World Snooker Championship and gives snooker legends including Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, Tony Drago and more another chance to play at snooker’s most famous venue, which defined many of their careers.

The 2025 Championship in May will see players from nine countries compete for the title won last year by Igor Figueiredo from Brazil. It will be played from Wednesday 7 May to Sunday 11 May 2025.

Tickets remain available for the World Seniors Championship and start from just £17.50.

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