Trump leads Crucible blockbuster

JOHN HIGGINS warmed up for the World Championship final by taking his family to see the new Avengers film. It cannot have been as thrilling as this Crucible sequel between him and Judd Trump. Higgins won the last of his four world titles when the pair met at this stage in 2011. That 18-15 victory was a classic but the latest instalment is shaping up to be a blockbuster. The record number of centuries in a world final is eight, but Trump and Higgins struck seven in the first 13 frames of the showpiece which concludes tonight. Trump — seeking his maiden world crown — made the early running and despite being pegged back by Higgins led 8-5 midway through last night’s second session. Higgins may be appearing in his third consecutive final and eighth overall — only Stephen Hendry (nine) has been in more — but his presence this time is unexpected. Having threatened to quit the sport midway through this barren campaign — citing his ‘garbage’ play after an early exit at December’s UK Championship — the Scot’s renaissance over the past fortnight has been remarkable. But the 43-year-old was taken the distance by David Gilbert in their semi-final, so Trump — 14 years younger and a winner of three titles this season — started favourite and duly opened a two-frame lead. Higgins’ response was emphatic, getting off the mark with a 139 total clearance — the joint-third highest break in a Crucible final. Trump (above) restored breathing space with a century of his own before the interval. But the pause was timely for Higgins who returned with breaks of 69, 40 and 101 to take the lead. Trump has seen this before though — he led that 2011 final 12-9 before being overhauled — and he steadied the ship with 103 to end the first session level. Higgins continued the heavy scoring at the start of the evening’s play with 125 — his 11th century of the past fortnight having made 20 tons all season before arriving in Sheffield. Trump levelled again and was suddenly oozing confidence. He regained the lead with a fine 135 break which he finished by potting the black with his cue behind his back. The 12th frame was the longest of the match of so far, but the man from Bristol clinched it after 34 minutes and struck a 135 after the interval to open a threeframe gap for the first time.