SNOOKER: Swail stuns champion at Crucible

BELFAST'S Joe Swail produced another giant-killing performance in the second round of the Embassy world championship when he ousted holder Mark Williams at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre yesterday.

The 31-year-old, who 12 months ago won the last five frames to beat JohnParrott 13-12, removed Williams by exactly the same score after another stunning fightback.

Crucible favourite Swail, 11-7 down to the championship favourite, even produced a new high-break target of 140 as he closed the gap on Williams to a single frame.

And that had the bookies running for cover as the Irishman didn't lack support when he was chalked up at 16-1 to win the match when played resumed with Williams holding a 10-6 lead.

"I don't know why it is but I tend to get psyched up when I'm behind. I've been doing this all my life," said Swail, who faces either his old pal, Dungannon's Patrick Wallace, or Romford's Mark King for a place in the last four.

"If I play Patrick it will be a dream come true for both of us," added Swail. "We have been playing this game together since we were kids."

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