Ebdon back to winning ways at Irish Masters

Peter Ebdon won his first ranking tournament since capturing the 2002 world title by defeating Mark King 10-7 at the Citywest Irish Masters in Dublin last night.

Ebdon, who received his trophy from eight-times champion Steve Davis, pulled away in the evening session to spoil King’s 30th birthday celebrations.

Wife Deborah was among the first to congratulate the 33-year-old dad of four, regaining the Irish Masters crown after a nine-year gap.

The world number seven made breaks of 131 and 57 on his way to a 5-4 first session advantage. And he went on to claim five of the next seven frames to capture the sixth world ranking event of his career.

King, who almost quit the game 12 months ago with his mother Sandra facing trial for murder, is still waiting for his first major trophy.

But after beating the likes of Stephen Hendry, Jimmy White and Ken Doherty to reach the final, he can be well pleased by his efforts.

However, the effort expended in those giant-killing wins eventually took its toll.

King was back on terms as soon as the match resumed after just an hour between sessions.

And he did it in splendid style. A clearance of 138 increased by one point his own high break of the tournament.

It was further evidence the hard work he had been putting in on the practice table with his father Bill had paid off.

But still King could not get in front and it was the last time he was on level terms.

Ebdon’s reply was 92 to regain the initiative at 6-5 and he moved two ahead for the first time since mid afternoon thanks to a crucial colour clearance. King led 51-26 but made a poor attempt at a safety shot on the yellow and paid the penalty for a rare error.

The match certainly appeared to be slipping away from him in what proved to be an unlucky 13th frame.

Again the shaven headed left-hander had a good opportunity to bring himself into contention. But trying to force the yellow for position on the last red, he missed the ball and Ebdon dished up with 33 to lead by three for the first time.

King, in the snooker record books for once scoring just 11 points in a best-of-nine match against John Higgins in the 1997 Grand Prix, stuck to his task.

The 14th frame was much scrappier but as he had done throughout the week in similar circumstances, King prevailed.

He should have cut his deficit to 8-7 but clearing up from 49-0 down he failed to pot a tricky last red down a side cushion and Ebdon knocked in the red and cleared to pink for 9-6.

King kept his hopes of a comeback alive in the 16th frame but he was only delaying the inevitable.

The door was still ajar when he trailed just 48-37 in frame 17 but 22 points from two fiendish snookers enabled Ebdon to take the trophy.

Sporting Ebdon paid tribute to King's performance after the final. He said: ``He will be disappointed.

But he has had a tough time over the last 18 months.

“However, he has shown tremendous character to come back and play like he has done this week.

“He has had some fantastic results and he can be proud of himself.

“As for me I didn’t think it would be quite so long since I won another tournament. But I haven’t worked hard enough since winning the world title and I got what I deserved.

“But I have been practicing really hard and I have got my enthusiasm back for the game.

“It was a scrappy match in parts but that was largely due to conditions. I am pleased for my family because their needs come before my personal achievements.”

King put on a brave face after his defeat. “A birthday is just another day,” he smiled. “But I can’t wait to get back and see my wife and kids.

“Snooker is my job and I know I am lucky. I could be doing a lot of worse things.

“Today I lost a couple of the scrappy frames that I had not been doing all week. I gave it my best shot but it was not good enough.

“The better man won on the day.”