Murphy and Robertson sent crashing

SHAUN MURPHY and Neil Robertson, two of snooker’s hottest young properties, crashed out at the opening hurdle of the Maplin UK Championship in York last night.

Murphy, the 2005 world champion, never got going as he lost 9-3 to rejuvenated Alan McManus in the second round.

Australian star Robertson, winner of the last ranking tournament, the Royal London Watches Grand Prix in Aberdeen, went out 9-5 against Finnish surprise package Robin Hull.