Snooker: O'Brien misses out on final spot

Dubliner Fergal O'Brien failed to reach his second successive final, losing to world champion Mark Williams in the semi-final of the Rothmans Malta Grand Prix in Valetta late last night.

O'Brien seemed destined for a showdown with Stephen Hendry when he took a 4-1 lead.

However, Williams pulled him back to win 6-4 at the finish.

The Irishman will be disappointed with the defeat as Williams was not, as he admitted himself, in good form and his highest break was just 62.