West Ham 2 Blackburn 1

Stephen Hendry has crashed out of the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in Aberdeen after his third successive defeat.

FORMER world champion Ken Doherty won a high-quality all-Irish battle to secure a place in the second round of the Malta Cup.

Former world champion Ken Doherty won a high-quality all-Irish battle to secure a place in the second round of the Malta Cup.

Middlesbrough have confirmed the signing of Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour on a free transfer.

RAY Parlour is prepared to consider giving up all rights to a lucrative Arsenal testimonial if Premiership rivals Middlesbrough make a satisfactory offer to sign him.

Middlesbrough face a major financial hurdle in any attempt to sign Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour.

World number one Mark Williams recovered from a potential pre-Crucible crisis to reach the last 16 of the Daily Record Players Championship in Glasgow tonight.

Paul Hunter came close to joining the maximum 147 break club on his way to a valuable overnight lead at the £615,000 (€880,000) Travis Perkins UK Championship in York.

Jimmy White will not expect to be detained very long when he makes his entrance in the British Open at the Brighton Centre tonight.

RAY PARLOUR has told Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger he is ready to step into the mighty boots of crocked captain Patrick Vieira – despite only just returning from his own injury which kept him out of action for nearly 12 weeks.

World champion Mark Williams survived a close shave in the first round of the Regal Welsh Open in Cardiff and admitted: "My head's in a bucket at the moment".