Rocket scoops magnificent seventh title

RONNIE O’Sullivan claimed a record-breaking seventh UK Championship title with a 10-6 victory over Mark Allen at the York Barbican.

His triumph, which came a quarter of a century after he won his first UK crown as a 17-year-old, also saw O’Sullivan nudge ahead of Stephen Hendry with 19 ‘triple crown’ titles – comprising the World and UK Championships and the Masters.

The 43-year-old reeled off six consecutive frames to establish a four-frame advantage at the interval and despite a brief rally by his opponent he wrapped up victory with a break of 78.

It capped a tumultuous tournament for O’Sullivan, who had threatened to launch a breakaway tour then required a finalframe decider to edge past veteran Ken Doherty in round two.

But O’Sullivan was in imperious form against Allen, who was looking to add a second major title to the Masters he won in January, yet had expressed dissatisfaction with his performances.

The Northern Irishman took a scrappy opener then moved ahead again with a break of 74 after O’Sullivan had eased level with a break of 101 in the second frame.

It was all O’Sullivan, as he proceeded to punish a series of costly errors by Allen and reel off six frames in succession.

A superb long red set O’Sullivan up to draw level again with a break of 85, and he went ahead with two 50-plus breaks after Allen had missed a black off its spot.

A loose safely let O’Sullivan in to make it 4-2 with a break of 57, a brilliant long blue paved the way to extend his lead to three frames, and when Allen missed an easy red in a potentially pivotal eighth, there was no way back.