Ford Runs over Trump
Tom Ford secured a Crucible debut with an amazing 10-3 victory over Judd Trump
Leicester's Tom Ford, by his own admission had spent far too many years enjoying parties and booze, has knuckled down this season on the practice table and today reaped the rewards.
"To be honest when I was eighteen, I chose the wrong path. Mark Selby and I used to practice together as kids but he became dedicated and I started going out.
"It's taken all this time for my to get back on the right track."
Ford roared into an 8-1 lead at the interval. He plundered breaks of 56, 42, 44, 52, 69, 38, 53, 79, 54, 55 ad 37.
There was little left that Trump could do but try and salvage a small amount of pride.
After Ford opened the evening session with 120, Trump responded with 77 and 72 before Ford rattled into 100 to complete victory.
Mark Selby was the first to send his Leicester friend a congratulatory text message.
But Ford doesn't want to draw Selby at the Crucible. "I'd hate to play Mark first round, I want to see us both do well.
"And I certainly don't want to draw Ronnie either. It would be really hard I think to settle down in your first appearance if your opponent was knocking in tons and all the crowd were cheering for him.
"I'd love to play Stephen Hendry at the Crucible. He's the player who's always been there, the player I've always watched on the tv. It would be something special to play him.
Martin Gould booked his second Crucible appearance with a thoroughly efficient 10-4 win over Nigel Bond.
Looking extremely smart in his new Global Snooker sponsored suit, Gould opened a 6-3 lead in the morning. Gould knocked in breaks of 114 and 129 and Bond also made 129 in a high scoring session.
After the first two frames were shared in the second session, Gould added runs of 38, 40 and 56 to clinch victory.
"My long potting was frightening today", Gould told Global Snooker.
"That put Nigel's safety under pressure and towards the end of the match his safety was crumbling and I don't think I missed a long ball all day.
"I enjoyed last year in parts. In the first session I was nervous and under pressure and Mark [Allen] put under right under it. But in the second session I started to enjoy it and I flowed and was please to produce some form under pressure.
"I hope I can do the same this year."
Michael Holt held over a determined David Morris 10-6.
Holt enjoyed a 6-3 morning lead and he held his nerve well as Morris threatened a come back.
The Irishman, seeking to reach the Crucible for the first time opened with 76, but Holt countered with 85. A fifty break apiece saw the next two frames shared before Holt made a match winning 70 break.
"It's just a relief", sighed Holt.
"For everyone it's just a horrible match to have to play in.
"I had a couple of twitches but I got away with it.
