Doherty and White say goodbye to Sheffield in contrasting games

KEN DOHERTY bowed out of the World Championship in Sheffield's Crucible Theatre last night after being hammered 13-5 by Irish Masters champion Darren Morgan. Doherty was joined by Jimmy White, a six times losing finalist, who lost out 13-12 to Peter Ebdon in a dramatic second round meeting. Ebdon registered a 123 break in the final frame to progress.

Doherty faced up to the inevitable after a disastrous morning in which a 5-3 overnight deficit increased into a 12-4 nightmare.

However, Doherty's at least had the satisfaction of putting together a break of 109 in the third last frame. He also won the first frame of last night's session but Morgan sealed victory with a break of 79 in the final frame.

It was the first time the Welshman had beaten Doherty, who had won their three previous contests. "I didn't play well at all and full credit to Darren, who stuck to his task from start to finish. I lost a few frames on the pink or black but overall I was disappointed with my performance. I knew it was always going to be a tough game for me and Darren did his job well," said Doherty, who lost the 12th frame on the `three misses rule'. It was the first time in the World Championship that a player had been awarded a frame in such circumstances.

Doherty was aware of the outcome having been in the opposite seat during the 1993 Irish Masters. He went through to the semi finals when Steve Davis also contravened the same rule in the ninth and deciding frame.

"I don't think this made a lot of difference to me. The vital frames came in the first session when I missed a blue to win the second and failed to double the pink to land the third. I put in a lot of practise for the championship and felt quite relaxed, perhaps I was too relaxed. I did miss some shots which I would normally get but I'm not too unhappy about everything because during the past few months I haven't done that badly. Today, though, was a bad day for me."

Morgan who now tackles the holder, Stephen Hendry, for a place in the semi finals said: "I have lost a few times to Ken before, but everybody has his day. Unfortunately for him, this was my day."

Jimmy White was not too despondent after losing in the final frame. White, who has struggled for form this season and only preserved his place in the world top 16 by winning his first round match on a decider, said: "If I continue to play like that I can win the championship one day. I've lost 13-12 to a guy who has been playing fantastic snooker."

White gave it his best shot but had to sit and admire as world number 10 Ebdon clinched victory with a stunning 123 clearance in the final frame.

Ebdon now meets six times former world champion Steve Davis for a place in the semi finals.

Ebdon displayed the battling qualities that have made him an outstanding contender for the £200,000 first prize. After leading 6-3 during yesterday's second session, he found himself 9-7 behind when play began last night.

But Ebdon fought back to take the lead at 11-10 and 12-11 only for White to produce his best snooker for years and force the decider.

In the end, however, victory proved just beyond him and when White missed a long red it allowed Ebdon back to the table to make his winning clearance.

"That's the most memorable match I've ever been involved in," said Ebdon.