BEWARE OF THE DENTIST

Allen wants slow play punished & stopped

ANTRIM’S MARK Allen believes snooker’s potting plodders deserve to be named and shamed.

Northern Ireland’s top potter is due to clash with Rory Mcleod in the UK Championship second round in York on Sunday, a player famed for his slow play.

Englishman Mcleod is nicknamed the ‘Dentist’ for the way he grinds down opponents with his agonising snail pace.

“He’ll possibly try to grind me down on purpose, but I’m experienced to cope with that,” said Allen. “But slow play should definitely be stamped out.

“A lot of the slower players are definitely doing it deliberately for me. I think it’s gamesmanship – and it’s not what we want in our sport.

“I know the game’s hard at times but just get on with it. People pay good money to come and watch.

“I think the slow players would enjoy it more and the fans definitely would if they played quicker.

“We’re in an entertainment sport and I’ve always tried to entertain.”

Earlier this week snooker supremo Barry Hearn branded a first round match between veterans Rod Lawler and Anthony Hamilton’s as “diabolical” when it was hauled off with only six frames played in four hours.

“Barry’s right that we need to entertain to progress,” stressed Allen.

And Allen added: “There’s no excuse for people being pulled off because there’s five hours for a session.

“I felt sorry for them with Barry slaughtering them on social media but they deserve it.” Mcleod was pulled off at 5-3 up during his routine 6-3 first-round victory over Peter Lines.

The methodical Englishman is one of the slowest players on the professional circuit – and commonly averages 30 seconds or more per shot. In comparison top stars like Ronnie O’sullivan and Judd Trump consistently average under 20 seconds per shot, understandably making them more enjoyable to watch. Antrim ace Allen won the Masters in January and the International Championship last month, so playing Mcleod holds little fear.

“Rory’s a tough player and he can make it hard, but if I play well I should beat him.”

Belfast’s Joe Swail is hoping to rekindle some confidence by beating Jak Jones tomorrow afternoon.

Irish 1997 world champion Ken Doherty (inset) faces defending champion O’sullivan today.

And the Darlin’ of Dublin, a successful BBC pundit and commentator, said: “I’m more scared how much of of the boot my mates in the [commentary] box will give me.

“I won’t have headphones on and I won’t watch the re-run so I won’t know. They can say what they like.”

SEEKING ACTION Mark Allen wants slow players like Rory Mcleod (left) forced to speed up