Doherty wins special writers' accolade

Ken Doherty, who meets Jimmy White at the Guild Hall this evening, won the Achievement of the Year award from the Snooker Writers' Association for his victory over Paul Hunter at the World Championships.

Trailing 15-9 ahead of the deciding session, Dubliner Doherty needed to win eight out of the nine frames and did just that for a 17-16 success.

Doherty was narrowly beaten by Welshman Mark Williams in the final of the tournament.

Williams was named Player of the Year by the Snooker Writers’ Association.

The 28-year-old Welshman, who plays Finland’s Robin Hull for a place in the last 16 of the LG Cup this afternoon, was a clear winner of the vote after winning the game’s three biggest titles during the 2002/2003 season.

Williams, who picked up the Embassy World Championship, UK Championship and Benson and Hedges Masters, is the first player to win the accolade twice.

Steve Davis collected a Special Award for regaining his place among the world’s top-16 elite at the age of 46 and after a three-year absence.

The six-times world champion starts the new campaign ranked 11th in the world.

At the other end of the age scale, 20-year-old Mark Selby is the Newcomer of the Year following in the footsteps of the likes of Hunter, Marco Fu and Ali Carter.

The English youngster earned a place in the world’s top 32 for the first time, helped by a run to the final of the Regal Scottish Open.