Betfred donate to Haven House

World Championship title sponsors Betfred has generously donated £25,000 to the Haven House Children’s Hospice.

Fred Done, Boss of Betfred, said before the start of the tournament that he would donate £200 for every century made in this year’s competition, which would be topped up to £25,000 if there were 75 or more. Unfortunately, despite a good start to the ton count, the total was a little short at 71. However, Fred was more than happy to top up the donation to ensure Haven House received the full amount.

He said: ‘After the final we had a quick steward’s enquiry and decided to pay out anyway after such a fantastic tournament.
“I would like to thank all the players for their magnificent effort and congratulations to Ronnie.”

Ronnie O’Sullivan is the Betfred.com World Snooker Champion 2012


What can you say about Ronnie O’Sullivan that hasn’t already been written? He defied his own demons and this year the Betfred.com World Snooker Championships saw a return of the real Rocket http://content.betfred.com/snooker/

He still has his doubts as to what will happen next, but admitted that there was a tear in his eye as his family was in the crowd to see him win his fourth world title.

Ali Carter loses to Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Betfred World Snooker Championships


Ali Carter rallied in the penultimate session to force the Betfred.com World Snooker Championships Final into an evening session, but really it was already lost. http://content.betfred.com/snooker

Ronnie O’Sullivan had already set down the marker and just proved too good for Carter, who’d put in some phenomenal performances over the last 17 days to make it to the showpiece event

The Rocket scores fourth Crucible crown

Ronnie O’Sullivan has won the 2012 Betfred.com World Snooker Championship after an 18-11 victory over Ali Carter.

The Rocket picked up his fourth Crucible title and his first since 2008 after a sublime 17 days, beating three former world champions to pick up the crown.

The sponsors Betfred have given O’Sullivan a quote of 9/2 to retain his trophy next year in Sheffield following his latest victory.

Captain fights back to force evening session

At one stage this afternoon it looked as though we could have had the rare case of the final finishing with a session to spare but the Captain Ali Carter dug deep when he looked a beaten man to prolong the match into the evening at the very least.

When the players resume at 7.30pm the Rocket will have a 15-10 advantage and needs just three more frames for his fourth World Championship.

There were two centuries this afternoon to bring the tally to 71 for the tournament, so four more are required to reach the magical total of 75, and as a result, a £25,000 donation from the sponsor, Fred Done, to the Haven House Children’s Hospice. Fred has already donated just over £14,000 after he kindly decided to donate £250 per century break in this year’s competition.

Rocket on course for fourth World Title

The Rocket Ronnie O’Sullivan has established a 10-7 lead going into the final day of the 2012 Betfred.com World Snooker Championship.

The opening two sessions of the final were a cagey affair but did include a 141 break from O’Sullivan, the highest break in any Crucible final.

Carter won the final frame of the evening to reduce his deficit to three frames and critically hang in there with the three-time winner of this title.

The action today gets underway at 2.30pm. O’Sullivan is as short at 1/12, while a Carter victory is as big as 12/1.

The century count so far this tournament is up to 69 so we need six more today to reach the figure of 75 where Fred will round up his donation to £25,000 to the Haven House Children’s Hospice. The players has raised just under £14,000 so far after Fred decided to give £200 to the fantastic charity for every break over 100.

Enjoy the final day of what has been a fantastic tournament and be lucky if you are having a punt!

The Battle of Essex

It’s the battle of Essex this afternoon as Ronnie O’Sullivan takes on Ali Carter in a repeat of the 2008 Crucible final.

The Rocket overcame Matthew Stevens to reach his fourth final, while the Captain put out Scotsman Stephen Maguire to reach this stage.

O’Sullivan was a comfortable 18-8 winner back in 2008 but a closer contest is expected this time.

Countdown to the Final The Betfred World Snooker Championships 2012


It’s been one of the most dramatic Betfred.com World Snooker Championships for years as Ronnie O’Sullivan and Ali Carter prepare to play for the biggest prize in snooker http://content.betfred.com/snooker/

We’ve had everything this year, big breaks, seeds tumbling, retirements and some amazing new talent breaking through.

This is a look back over the last 15 days and a look ahead to the critical Bank Holiday weekend and the final – where no doubt there will be yet more drama.

Stevens loses to Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Betfred World Snooker Championships

Matthew Stevens failed to beat Ronnie O’Sullivan in the semi finals of the Betfred.com World Snooker Championships http://content.betfred.com/snooker/

The Welshman was blown away by the on-form Rocket and joked that it’d be a relief for the rest of the snooker world if Ronnie O’Sullivan really did decide to take a break from the game.

Ronnie contemplates retirement as he reaches Betfred World Snooker Championship final

Ronnie O’Sullivan hinted that the final at the Betfred.com World Snooker Championships may be his last appearance at The Crucible – http://content.betfred.com/snooker/

It’s not the first time The Rocket has told the media that he’s thought about giving up the game and later said it may end up being a 6 month sabbatical.

As for the snooker Ronnie is looking for his fourth World Title and is up against Ali Carter in a repeat of the 2008 final, which The Rocket dominated.