Magic Milkins Wins
Robert Milkins won the third leg of the new Pro Challenge Series and described it as the best tournament he has won after beating Joe Jogia 5-3 in the final in Leicester.
The world No 55 from Gloucester, Milkins was in great form all week at the Willie Thorne Snooker Centre, and in the final made two centuries and two other breaks over 50 as he got the better of local favourite Jogia.
Earlier, both finalists had spoiled the 'pundits' final as Milkins beat Premier League star Judd Trump 5-4 and Jogia whitewashed yesterday's four-ton king, Ricky Walden in the semi-finals.
If it were not for Tony Drago's return to the pro circuit, Milkins would be the fastest potter on the circuit, imagine how good he would be if he chalked his cue!
In recent seasons the 33-year-old has suffered a series of bad results that almost saw him drop off the professional circuit himself. However, improved discipline seems to be doing the trick as he now feels that he is back to the form which saw him reach the 2002 UK Championship quarter-finals and 2005 Irish Masters semi-finals.
"I was a fool to myself for a while because I didn't work hard enough, but everything is turning around now," he said.
"I've been practising hard for the last two years now. At first I didn't get the results, but since I got to the quarter-finals of the Bahrain Championship last year it's been going well."
Milkins, who also reached the last eight of the recent Grand Prix by beating top 16 players Ali Carter and Mark King, added: "Considering the field, this is definitely the best tournament I've won. These Pro Challenge Events are brilliant, they are great match practice and give extra chances to the players to earn money."
A superb break of 137 saw Milkins off to a fast start in the final, then Jogia levelled with a run of 55. Milkins regained the lead with a 92 and took control of frame four with a 55, only for Jogia to snatch it with a 55 clearance for 2-2. The next two were shared, Jogia making a 69 in the sixth, before Milkins knocked in a 118 to go 4-3 ahead, and he finished the job in a scrappy eighth.
"I played really well - I had scraped through my previous three matches so I was surprised at the standard I produced in the final," added Milkins. "This gives me a lot of confidence going into the Pukka Pies UK Championship qualifiers. A couple of years ago the other players must have been thinking I was a plum draw, but now hopefully they will see my results and it will put some fear into them."
Jogia, a former English Open champion, said: "I just missed one or two balls today but I've enjoyed the whole week and I played well. I think these Pro Challenge Events are fantastic and a lot of the players I've spoken to agree with that."
The fourth event out of seven in the Pro Challenge Series runs from January 4 to 6.
Global-snooker.com says...
Well done Robert! The game needs more and more winners...
We agree with Rob, the Pro Challenge Series provides added opportunities for players in a tough environment.
We heard various opinions of the event ranging from "absolute ******* joke" to the finalists compliments.
Maybe no coincidence that the winners are singing the praises and those losing early were slightly less generous with the positive remarks.
