Stevens eliminates disappointed White

Jimmy White’s final match of the year will not be the final of the Travis Perkins UK Championship on Sunday.

The 41-year-old Londoner can put away his cue until the New Year after losing 9-7 to Matthew Stevens in the semi-finals at York’s Barbican Centre tonight.

In contrast, Stevens goes forward to meet Ronnie O’Sullivan or Stephen Hendry in his first final since losing to Mark Williams in the 2000 world championship.

White threatened to keep his fairytale run going when he hit back from 4-1 down to lead 7-6.

However, world number nine Stevens held his nerve to deny the Whirlwind a shot at his first trophy since the 1992 UK Championship.

It was a major disappointment also for White’s fan club though one member was in disgrace.

“There was one geezer who should have been ejected,” complained White.

“He was someone who wanted to be heard. Every time the crowd would go quiet this one would call out.

“I really though the tournament director, Mike Ganley, would have had him thrown out.

“But it’s no excuse because if I’d been on my game I wouldn’t have heard him.”

White agreed it had been a below par performance though both players struggled in a match lacking in century breaks.

“I just could not get hold of the cueball. It was driving me nuts,” said White who missed out on his first final since the 2000 British Open at Plymouth.

“I was all over the gaff even with the few breaks I was making. The first session was diabolical and I’m disappointed having not played anywhere near like I have been doing.”