Snooker Shoot Out 2023 as it happened – Mark Allen claims title glory against Cao Yupeng with dominant final display

ByDesmond Kane

Updated 09/12/2023 at 23:24 GMT

Hello and welcome back to Eurosport's live coverage of the most chaotic event on the snooker calendar, the Snooker Shoot Out. Things are getting busy today as we get towards the business end of the event. Players will play twice today with one round in the morning session and then the winners coming back later for the evening session. Mark Allen headlines the action as the top seed.

‘This is incredible’ - Si beats Wilson after epic blue-ball shootout

THANKS FOR JOINING US

We will be back on Monday afternoon when the Scottish Open begins in Edinburgh as Gary Wilson defends his title.

Shoot Out

Allen beats Cao in final to claim Shoot Out title

10/12/2023 at 08:53

Winner: Mark Allen (ALLEN 65-4 CAO)

"There were a few matches I could have lost, but I felt I played the right shots," said Allen, who collects a £50,000 winner's cheque. "The easiest of shots turn into the most difficult at this tournament. It does crazy things to your brain.

"I want to come here and win. It's an event I really enjoy. I'll always support it. You have to embrace it. A special mention for the crowd. It is nuts. This is the way it should be. It reminded me of how it used to be in Blackpool."

Winner: Mark Allen (ALLEN 65-4 CAO)

Not a classic final, but the top seed has won the Shoot Out. The first time the top seed and a man inside the top 16 has prevailed as winner of the ranking event.

ALLEN 50-4 CAO

Cao hits the black off two cushions trying to escape from a snooker into pack of reds. And this is surely going to the title for Allen here and now. Not one-visit snooker, but doesn't need to be.

ALLEN 31-4 CAO

Allen floats in a stunning long red. What a shot that is and he is out on the black. This is a golden chance for Allen here, but he breaks down and just 27 points of a lead with five minutes left.

ALLEN 16-3 CAO

Allen wins the lag, and Cao will break us off. Both men winning six matches to reach this final. Allen with the first chance of the final after Cao can't rattle home a long red. Allen can only make 16. All very nervy from a good scoring chance and Cao responds with a brilliant red of his own.

Shoot Out final

Cao Yupeng v Mark Allen

Winner: Mark Allen (Allen 60-8 Hallworth)

He lost the final a decade ago to Martin Gould, but Mark Allen is back in the showpiece match. Coming up is the 2023 final against Cao Yupeng.

Allen 54-8 Hallworth

Allen has had so many chances, but not taken them with any conviction. Yet he does enough to scramble into the final. A real edgy match, but the top seed is through to the final. Hallworth enjoying a fine tournament, but just comes up short of the final.

Allen 38-0 Hallworth

A third chance in this semi for Allen. Surely this is game, set and match.

Allen 29-0 Hallworth

Allen losing pole position on a red, but decides to head for the hills rather than attempt a tough red. Safety and time management the name of the game for Allen. Six minutes remaining.

Allen 21-0 Hallworth

Mark Allen with a brilliant long red straight away. Really hit the object ball with some venom. Lands on a colour too in baulk. Great way to start a semi-final.

Winner: Cao Yupeng (CAO 41-18 CARTER)

And that is the victory for Cao. He is through to the final. Carter paying the price for undercutting the pot on blue to left middle early in the frame.

CAO 40-18 CARTER

Cao with a break of 35, but he misses a tricky red and Carter picks out a brilliant plant on reds. Is there a twist in the tale here? Cao then cans red and brown. Surely that should do the job.

CAO 7-1 CARTER

Cries of boring from the crowd. Nobody wants to make a mistake in this frame. Otherwise it could spell the end. Double kiss for Cao and obvious chance for Carter. But he misses the cut on blue to left centre after holing red. What an error. Chance for Cao.

CAO 0-0 CARTER

So we are ready to rock and roll with the last four. Carter wins the lag, Cao breaks off. Nine minutes between one of these men and the final.

Semi-final draw

Cao Yupeng v Ali Carter
Steven Hallworth v Mark Allen

DRAW COMING UP FOR THE SEMI-FINALS

Mark Allen
Ali Carter
Cao Yupeng
Steven Hallworth

Winner: Ali Carter (Carter 41-24 Slessor)

A huge fluke for Carter after he snookered himself behind the blue. That is remarkable. Looks like Carter might be heading through. Slessor has seen enough. That match was a real rollercoaster. The Captain wins!

Carter 13-24 Slessor

But he misses a black off the spot! What an error that is. Looked set to cash in, but black stays up and chance passes to Ali.

Carter 0-24 Slessor

Well, you need luck to win this event and Slessor might have got a huge spot of it there. Red drops off another red, and he is out perfect on the black.

Carter 0-0 Slessor

Both players rattling the jaws with attempts on reds from distance. Obvious tension in the air and the arena.

Carter 0-0 Slessor

Off we go then for the final quarter-final. Reaching the business end of this event. Carter goes for a long red, but doesn't drop.

Winner: Steven Hallworth (Dale 19-52 Hallworth)

Hallworth finalises his spot in the last four after the dreadful miscue by Dominic. Complete game-changer of a shot. Hallworth joining Cao and Allen in the semi-finals. Dominic singing his final note in the tournament.

Dale 19-22 Hallworth

Golden chance for Hallworth, but he can make only nine before a miscue by Dale then gives his opponent ball in hand. That is astonishing. Massive chance for Hallworth to progress.

Dale 19-0 Hallworth

19 from Dale before he lays a snooker behind the green, but a brilliant escape by Hallworth to hit red and get white safe. Five minutes remaining.

Dale 7-0 Hallworth

Plenty of local support for Dom representing Wales. Dale breaks off this match after winning the lag. Hallworth can't clip a fine cut into the yellow bag. Chance then for Dale to accumulate a few points at this visit.

Winner: Mark Allen (Si 18-52 Allen)

Si misses another red to left centre and it looks like that might be game over for Si. Time is up for Si in this contest. Allen joining Cao Yupeng in the semi-final draw.

Si 2-48 Allen

Brilliant pot on a red by Si to a centre pocket, but he misses a tricky blue to middle at pace. And that might well by fatal for Si in this match. Allen trying to nurse home this lead with three minutes remaining.

Si 1-44 Allen

Nice piece of break-building here from Allen. A useful lead of 43 points with five minutes remaining.

Si 1-20 Allen

The Champion of Champions winner Mark Allen is taking on World Championship semi-finalist Si Jiahui in the second quarter-final. Si breaks off this match. Allen with the first long red in the contest. But he only adds a red after black. So chance not taken. But Si overcuts the pink and the white goes in off. Chance for Allen with ball in hand.

CAO 39-13 DAVIS

All over then as Cao books his place in the last four. Davis had chance with ball in hand, but could make only eight and the match probably turned on his failure to cash in.

CAO 30-13 DAVIS

Looks like Cao might be easing through here. Davis went for a long red, but missed it by miles and is going to be punished. It seems.

CAO 1-13 DAVIS

Awful error by Cao in trying and failing to find a snooker behind yellow, but doesn't hit a cushion with any ball. Davis can only make eight with ball in hand. What a chance he has passed up there.

CAO 0-0 DAVIS

Davis wins the lag and puts Cao into bat. No long red drops from Davis and Cao can't cash in either. Another cagey start to the contest.

AN EXCITING FINALE TO THE SHOOT OUT

All to play for then as the random draw has been made for the Shoot Out. Opportunity knocks.

Quarter-final draw

Cao Yupeng v Mark Davis
Si Jiahui v Mark Allen
Dominic Dale v Steven Hallworth
Ali Carter v Elliot Slessor

Winner: Ali Carter (White 27-32 Carter)

No late drama as Ali sees out the final few shots to claim victory by five points. The world No. 11 progresses to the quarter-finals.

White 27-32 Carter

A narrow lead for Ali heading for the final two minutes. Nice long red is followed by brown and blue to move ahead of White.

White 27-21 Carter

Down to the final four minutes of the frame. All finely poised.

White 21-6 Carter

First red of the night is downed by White. And he looks to be hitting the ball superbly tonight. Getting right through the white ball. But he breaks down on 21. As a red with rest eludes him. Chance for Carter to hit back.

‘This is incredible’ - Si beats Wilson after epic blue-ball shootout

Winner: Elliot Slessor (Slessor 50-36 Robertson)

Another man chasing his first ranking title is through to the last eight. Class from Slessor. So one more match remaining of the last 16. And it involves Michael White and Ali Carter. Will it be all white on the night? Dale, Si, Cao, Allen, Davis, Hallworth and Slessor the men through.

Slessor 50-27 Robertson

And the answer is plenty as Elliot puts together a brilliant 50 break right on cue. This is excellent from Elliot. And is surely going to carry him through.

Slessor 0-27 Robertson

A handy lead for Robbo with five minutes of the frame to play. What has the big Sless got in response?

Slessor 0-15 Robertson

Brilliant long red by Jimmy down the table to the green pocket. What a corking pot that is! And he has first go at these balls. Jimbo on the move then in the chase for a quarter-final spot.

Slessor 0-0 Robertson

Slessor and Jimmy Robertson in the penultimate last-16 match. Both men looking for chance to get the party started in the first frame, but they are exchanging safety blows at the top of end of the table.

Winner: Steven Hallworth (Long 33-48 Hallworth)

Another late long red from Long flies down the pocket. But he leaves it too late, and Hallworth advances to the quarter-finals. Long way back, and ultimately too far away trailing 48-5. Hall in for the quarter-finals.

Long 5-38 Hallworth

Hallworth calls a foul on himself. Chance passes to Long, but he can't make more than five as a black stays up. Bad miss. Surely this match is heading towards Hallworth. Three minutes remaining.

Long 0-34 Hallworth

Break ends on 30 with six minutes of the frame remaining to play. Strong position for Hallworth to find himself in.

Long 0-17 Hallworth

Long goes in-off trying to run safe off a red and chance presents itself to Hallworth with ball in hand. How costly is that error going to prove from Long?

Long 0-0 Hallworth

Long Zehuang up against Steven Hallworth. And another match begins with some tight, tough safety shot by the players. Real knowledge of the angles is evident here.

Winner: Mark Davis (Davies 0-73 Davis)

48 from Davis before he butchers a mid-range red. But no damage done as Davies can't slot a red to the top bag. So near, yet so far. And Mark Davis is going to finish off this match to reach the quarter-finals. So Dale, Si, Allen, Cao and Davis the five men through so far to the last eight draw.

Davies 0-9 Davis

Very good safety shots being exchanged by both players here. Three minutes in and no balls potted in the frame. Davis breaks the deadlock with a long red. And in goes a tough black. Chance for Mark Davis to make a few here.

Davies 0-0 Davis

Mark Davis chasing a first ranking title tonight. He faces young Welshman Liam Davies in the last 16.

Winner: Mark Allen (Allen 19-10 Lines)

Lines almost steals it at the death with an amazing long red, but he somehow can't land on the next red from the black before Allen staggers over the line with the red and the brown combo. Phew! What a finish! Allen through to the last eight. Just.

Allen 6-1 Lines

Allen playing defensive stuff before Lines unearths a stunning long red. No colour to follow.

Allen 6-0 Lines

Allen with a fine red to right middle and follows up with the brown, but just another safety shot to follow. All very cagey with five minutes of frame remaining.

Allen 1-0 Lines

Mark Allen is up against Oliver Lines, who goes for a long red. Nothing doing and an easy opening red to green bag is stuck up. But a snooker behind brown is well negotiated by Lines as he gets the white safe at top end of table.

Winner: Cao Yupeng (Cao 31-16 Miah)

Not a classic Shoot Out dust-up, but it is Cao who joins Dale and Si in the last eight.

Cao 30-5 Miah

Brilliant long red by Miah with 70 seconds remaining. Can he stage a late comeback?

Cao 16-5 Miah

A very nervy start to this match between Cao and Miah as a red along top cushion eludes Miah. Should have made that. A bit of tension in the air. Chance then for Cao to get moving.

Cao 0-0 Miah

Cao Yupeng and Hammad Miah are on the table. Ready for the third last-16 match. Reaching fever pitch in Swansea.

Winner: Si Jiahui (Wilson 48-48 Si)

In goes another blue from Si. For a fifth time. Wilson finally misses the blue this time and it is Si who books his spot in the last eight. What a finish to that match. What a match.

Wilson 48-48 Si

Twice Si pots the blue, twice Wilson responds. And then Si rams the blue down the bag with another stunning blue. But on goes Wilson with another fabulous blue. Then Si steps up for a fourth blue. But Wilson does likewise.

Wilson 48-48 Si

Si slots a double on stunning yellow before rolling in green and brown. And it is Shoot Out on blue to determine the winner. And in goes the blue from the d.

Wilson 48-39 Si

Down to the final red then. Si with a stunning red, but no yellow to finish. Almost all over.

Wilson 48-17 Si

Bit of interaction between Wilson and the crowd, but looks like he is going well until a mid-range red eludes him on 48. Rattled in the jaws. A bit of a grimace from Kyren. He heads back to his seat. What can Si make in response?

Wilson 14-1 Si

Si can't get the white back to the cushion and suddenly Kyren has a great chance to pile on the points here. Plenty of open reds to attack.

Wilson 0-1 Si

Second last-16 match is off and running. Si with a trademark long red early on. Kyren Wilson up on the top cushion, involved in a safety duel with the World Championship semi-finalist.

Winner: Dominic Dale – (Dale 63-46 Boiko)

No late response from Boiko. Did his best to rally by slotting lovely red and blue combo, but snookered on yellow and that enables Dom an easy run to the winning line on colours. He is the first man into the quarter-finals.

Dale 63-40 Boiko

A break of 53 from Dom in response to the 40 from his opponent. In goes another red and green. Looks like Dale might be heading for the last eight here.

Dale 25-40 Boiko

A brilliant red by Dale down the table to the green pocket after Boiko breaks down on 40 by missing a simple red. Chance for counter attack by Dom.

Dale 0-17 Boiko

Full house in here. Dale wins the lag, but elects to break and leave his opponent a long red. Which he powers in and is out on the black. Much to the delight of the home fans. Chance to grab an eary lead.

Dale 0-0 Boiko

First match of the last-16 stage sees Ukraine teenager Iulian Boiko face evergreen Welshman Dominic Dale. Should be a cracking few hours ahead.

"I have never been four frames away from winning a ranking event before! I’m really looking forward to this evening, anything is possible," said Boiko. "I felt in good shape coming into this event, and hopefully some exciting results are waiting.”

That's all for now

That concludes our coverage of the last 32 but we'll be at 6.45pm to bring you updates from the round of 16, with the action getting underway at 7pm. See you then!

The last 16 line-up

Here are the match-ups to look forward to tonight in the Snooker Shoot Out.

Dominic Dale 63-46 Iulian Boiko
Michael White v Ali Carter
Kyren Wilson 48-48 Si Jiahui
Cao Yupeng v Hammad Miah
Liam Davies v Mark Davis
Oliver Lines v Mark Allen
Elliot Slessor v Jimmy Robertson
Long Zehuang v Steven Hallworth

The blue that cost Graeme Dott

With the frame at his mercy, Dott missed this straightforward blue before going on to lose to Jimmy Robertson.

Miah: I was just backing myself

After booking his place in the last 16, Miah was all smiles when he spoke to the Eurosport team.

"It's do or die, isn't it?" he said. "I was just backing myself. I'm delighted.

"I just took what was available, come on!

"I like situations like that when I can't see a safety, because I can't butcher a safety and I'm going to go out attacking."

Result - Miah 61-34 Moody

Moody takes on a long red that has to go but it's not close. Miah pots the red he's left and completes a very impressive victory. Moody has been a breath of fresh air but was well beaten there.

Miah 56-30 Moody

This is sublime from Miah. He's a terrific potter and is taking these with tremendous composure. His lead is 26 with two minutes to go.

Miah *19-30 Moody

Another superb pot from Miah gives him another chance with five minutes remaining. Could go all the way this one.

Miah 6-30 Moody

Moody's break comes to an end on 30 and Miah wastes no time in eating into his deficit. A good red and blue gets him to six but the white catches the knuckle of the middle pocket and sees him run out of position.

Miah 0-22* Moody

It's the teenager who draws first blood with a brilliant opening red. He backs it up with a good blue from the cushion and another tricky red. He's now back in prime position and has a chance to make a decisive break.

Miah 0-0 Moody

If the lag is anything to go by we're in for a cracker - the players couldn't be split with their first attempts and had to go again. Anyway, we're off and running!

Moody closing the show

The final match of the session sees 17-year-old Stan Moody take on Hammad Miah. It's coming next!

Result - Day 0-112 Si

The consolation for Si after his failed 147 attempt is a place in the last 16. He completes a comfortable victory after two 50-plus breaks to send the Welshman packing and will be back in action tonight.

Day 0-57 Si

The dream is over. Si loses position and attempts a tricky black with his left hand but can't get it to drop. More importantly, the frame isn't over with more than four minutes still remaining.

Day 0-56* Si

After four reds and four blacks, Si opens the pack beautifully. It couldn't happen again, could it? He nails a seventh red-black combo to reach 56. It's on...

Day 0-24* Si

Some exquisite cueing from Si sees him take an early lead. He follows up a sublime opening red by getting straight on the back. The 147 is on but it's early days.

Ryan Day in action in penultimate match

Home favourite Ryan Day takes on Si Jiahui next and passes up a long red off the break.

Result - Robertson 53-44 Dott

He's done it! Robertson completes the comeback after he looked down and out. Dott will be kicking himself.

Robertson *30-44 Dott

Dott misses a simple blue and can't believe it. He's given Robertson a lifeline that looked so unlikely and the Englishman is taking it. He's 14 behind with 60 seconds left.

Robertson 14-44* Dott

Forcing the issue, Robertson splits the pack with a safety shot and Dott nails a lovely cushion-first pot on a red into the green pocket. With the balls spread, it's hard to see Dott losing from here with less than three minutes left.

Robertson 14-22 Dott

Robertson has the next chance but an attempt to split the pack goes wrong. This one is finely poised approaching the halfway mark.

Robertson 6-22 Dott

Robertson misses the pack with a roll-up, hitting the pink to give the Scotsman ball in hand. Can he make a frame-winning contribution? He needs the extended spider to keep the break going early and misses a red along the cushion on 16.

Robertson 6-0 Dott

Former world champion Graeme Dott faces Jimmy Robertson in the third from last game of the session. A great safety earns Robertson the first chance and he slots a red-blue combination before missing a tricky red into the middle.

Result - Davis 46-15 Pullen

Davis completes the victory. Pullen had chances but couldn't produce the goods when it mattered most. Davis is through to the last 16 where he'll play Liam Davies.

Davis *37-14 Pullen

Pullen shuffles round the table with the clock ticking but runs out of position on 14. He then plays a poor safety shot which allows Davis a chance to increase his lead.

Davis 27-0 Pullen

Davis continues to lead with less than four minutes remaining. He's using all his experience to keep his opponent at bay but has just offered up a chance.

Davis 27-0 Pullen

Pullen goes in-off after a wild miss on a red. With the cue ball in hand, Davis sets about putting some points on the board. He looks to have settled immediately as he approaches 30 but misses a red he really shouldn't have.

Experience takes on youth

Mark Davis plays Liam Pullen next in what promises to be an intriguing contest.

Lines: It's so tough out there

Oliver Lines, the latest player into the last 16, has been speaking to Eurosport.

"It's so tough out there," he said. "I potted some nice balls but that's about it.

"If you were watching, sorry Dad.

"It's so hard to get into your timing straight away."

Result - Lines 20-9 Xu

The Englishman comes up short with a black to give Xu a reprieve but returns to drill a red into the corner. He misses with 30 seconds left but Xu can't respond, meaning Lines is through.

Lines *11-9 Xu

A poor safety gives Xu another chance and he once again fails to take advantage, making just seven before running out of position. With less than four minutes remaining, Lines then pots his first red and quickly takes the lead.

Lines 0-2 Xu

Lines somehow misses to the middle and Xu nails a long red. But Xu has lost the cue ball and again has to settle for a break of one.

Lines 0-1 Xu

Xu Si pots a simple opening red against Oliver Lines but can't get on a colour. A safety battle then breaks out, with both doing an excellent job of keeping the cue ball safe.

Dreaming of a White Christmas

Here's Dominic Dale delighting those in attendance at the Swansea Arena.

Result - Emery 33-40 Davies

With the balls spread, Davies takes his chance well to seal a narrow victory over his fellow Welshman.

Emery 33-27* Davies

Emery misses and leaves Davies an easy opener. With a minute left this could be a cracking finale.

Emery *33-12 Davies

An overrun positional shot leaves Davies sizing up a tricky red to the middle and it misses high. Emery has a chance now to seal the victory with two minutes left on the clock.

Emery 21-6* Davies

A really good long red doesn't touch the sides before Emery plays safe and earns another chance at a long red. This time, he isn't equal to the task and Davies nails a double to open his account.

Emery 20-0 Davies

A wild attempt from Davies leaves Emery the first proper chance. He pots a good red and is off. The balls are lying awkwardly but a useful break of 20 gives him an early lead.

Emery 0-0 Davies

Liam Davies wins the lag and puts Dylan Emery in to break in the all-Welsh clash. Davies jaws an attempt at a long red before Emery misses a tricky red to the middle. It's been a cagey opening two minutes in this one.

Result - Slessor 65-42 Surety

That miss from Surety proves costly. He looked odds-on to complete the comeback but instead he's heading for the exit door. Slessor progresses to the last 16 for the first time in eight previous attempts in this tournament.

Slessor *65-42 Surety

Surety is among the balls as he launches a late assault. He's taking them well as he closes in on his opponent but agonisingly jaws a red and leaves it hanging over the bag. He'll be gutted.

Slessor 57-14 Surety

Slessor continues to increase his lead and is almost out of sight with less than three minutes remaining. He misses a tricky red - can Surety respond?

Slessor *37-14 Surety

Slessor nails a good opening red as he sets about reducing his deficit. He looks fully focused and is knocking in some great pots.

Slessor 0-14 Surety

Zak Surety has the first chance in his match against Elliot Slessor but breaks down on 14 after an unlucky kiss on a red leaves him out of position.

Another day, another glove

Here's the moment Kyren Wilson whipped out another glove as he completed a century and booked his place in the last 16.

The glove is back! - Wilson knocks in a century and celebrates with a glove again

Result - Long 56-40 Jones

Long misses and Jones lands a brilliant red. There's less than 60 seconds left - can he scarper round the table and complete the comeback? It's too frantic and he misses a simple green to end his tournament.

Long *56-34 Jones

With a minute left, Long looks good for the win. Jones will be kicking himself.

Long *34-34 Jones

Jones works a great chance but misses the red and leaves Long among the balls. In a normal tournament you'd fancy him to clear the table, but the Shoot Out is anything but normal.

Long 14-34 Jones

Jones falters and Long has his first proper chance to get some points on the board. However, he runs out of position and has to play safe, setting up a potentially nervy finale.

Long 0-28* Jones

Long leaves a red hanging over the yellow pocket and Jones takes advantage. The Welshman opens up an early lead and looks set to add a few more.

Back to the serious business

Duane Jones and Long Zehuang are up next to battle it out for a place in the last 16.

Dale: I surprised myself

Dominic Dale spoke to Eurosport after his win, saying: "He gave me one chance and I made a break. I surprised myself."

He also delivered a nice rendition of Bing Crosby's White Christmas. Weird and wonderful.

Result - Zhou 23-66 Dale

Dale is through! A superb break of 61 sees the former champion into the last 16 and now he can play to the crowd. Will we get a song? Stay tuned.

Zhou 23-54* Dale

Dale is a showman but you can see he's taking this seriously. He's still at the table and building a nice lead with just two minutes to go.

Zhou 23-17* Dale

The Welshman does get off the mark and then ties his opponent up in knots. Zhou has a wild swipe from a difficult snooker but misses all the reds, giving Dale ball in hand. Four minutes left and all to play for.

Zhou 23-0 Dale

Zhou misses a red into the middle and Dale urges it to run so he can see the potting angle. It doesn't so he has to play safe and still trails.

Zhou 23-0 Dale

Zhou fizzes a red into the corner to open his account. So pure. He gets to 23 before missing a thin cut on the blue.

Here comes The Spaceman

Fan favourite Dominic Dale takes on the in-form Zhou Yuelong now. This could be good.

Result - Carter 58-21 Young

Carter completes the victory! Young will rue his missed chances but it's The Captain who will return tonight for the last 16.

Carter *40-21 Young

It's break over for Young but he plays a great safety to earn another chance. He misses the red, though, and sticks it up over the middle. That should seal the win for Carter.

Carter 39-21* Young

The Captain gets to 39 before missing a blue into the yellow pocket. With three minutes left, Young returns to nail a great long red. Can he pull off the comeback?

Carter *22-9 Young

Young makes a break of nine, which includes a crowd-pleasing yellow, before playing safe. Carter has the next chance and makes a quick 22 and counting. No need for Young to panic yet, though, as there are still six minutes remaining.

The Captain is here

It's Ali Carter v Dean Young next with a place in the last 16 at stake. Young gets the frame underway and Carter misses his first chance at a long red.

How Allen got through

Watch the moment Sanderson Lam accidentally touched the white to give Mark Allen ball in hand and get over the line in their last-32 dust-up.

Result - Hamilton 26-31 Boiko

Hamilton runs out of position and needs a long red to keep the break going but misses it by a distance. Boiko adds a point to his tally before playing safe and seeing out an impressive win.

Hamilton *22-30 Boiko

Hamilton is forced to go for a tricky red but nails it to give himself a late chance. There are 70 seconds left and seven points separating the players.

Hamilton 6-29 Boiko

Hamilton does get a chance but misses a simple black off the spot. He'll be kicking himself. Boiko returns to the table and increases his lead with three minutes on the clock.

Hamilton 1-20 Boiko

The Ukrainian misses a red but once again gets fortunate to leave his opponent nothing. With five minutes remaining, the scores are evenly posied.

Hamilton 1-20* Boiko

Boiko plays a poor safety but gets lucky as the cue ball returns to the baulk area. Hamilton then catches his safety shot far too thick and Boiko lands a nice opening red.

Hamilton 1-0 Boiko

It's Anthony Hamilton, 'The Sheriff of Pottingham', against Iulian Boiko next. The Englishman gets on the board first before playing safe off the green, much to the dismay of the crowd.

Result - Un-Nooh 6-44 Cao

Cao takes his chance well and knocks out the 2019 champion.

Un-Nooh 6-30* Cao

It looks like Un-Nooh is heading for the exit door. He has a half-chance to get back into it but it rattles the jaws and gives Cao a clear path to victory.

Un-Nooh 6-14* Cao

With three minutes left on the clock, Cao gets a chance that could be pivotal.

Un-Nooh 0-7 Cao

Cao increases his lead after a lovely red up into the green pocket with the rest. He adds the blue but runs out of position for the next red.

Un-Nooh 0-1 Cao

A poor safety gives Un-Nooh his first half-chance but he opts to play safe instead. Calls of "boring" ring around the arena.

Un-Nooh 0-1 Cao

Un-Nooh is a former winner of this event and has a game tailor-made for this format, but it's Cao who opens the scoring with a great long red before playing safe.

Next up...

Cao Yupeng takes on Thepchaiya Un-Nooh next in what could be a cracker.

'I've totally lost the plot' - Wilson explains glove antics

Kyren Wilson is loving the Shoot Out!

Result - Allen 58-36 Lam

The top seed takes the lead and nails a brilliant long red to keep the break going with time running down. Lam then accidentally touches the cue ball to give Allen ball in hand and that is that. The Northern Irishman is into the last 16.

Allen *16-36 Lam

Allen finally gets on the board and has a great chance to eat into his deficit. He trails by 20 points with three minutes to play. Plenty of time.

Allen 0-36 Lam

Lam makes a good break of 36 to put himself in a strong position as the crowd continue to bring the noise with six minutes left on the clock.

Allen 0-12* Lam

The Pistol makes an early mistake and coughs up a simple chance to his opponent.

Mark Allen up next

The highest seed is in the house. He takes on Sanderson Lam.

Result - Ursenbacher 12-48 Hallwoth

Ursenbacher has a chance, can he make the most of it? No. The Swede pots an opening red but misses the pink to gift Hallworth the win.

Ursenbacher 11- 40 Hallworth

Hallwoth thumps a red into the bottom corner and goes on another run. His lead is 29 points with two minutes on the clock.

Ursenbacher 11-20 Hallworth

Hallworth has another chance but only increases his lead by three points before Ursenbacher nails a brilliant red. This one could go down to the wire.

Ursenbacher 1-17 Hallworth

He's bridging over the brown but Hallworth cuts a red into the middle and has the first real chance to put some significant points on the board. However, he lets Ursenbacher off the hook with a simple miss on a red.

Ursenbacher 1-0 Hallworth

Ursenbacher gets away with a poor break and pots a tricky opening red before playing safe off the pink.

Next...

Alexander Ursenbacher and Steven Hallworth enter the arena to get their last-32 match underway.

Result - White 75-6 O'Connor

The home hero sails through to the fourth round with a comfortable 75-6 win. There wouldn't be a more popular champion come tomorrow evening.

White *58-6 O'Connor

O'Connor pots a long red to give himself a chance but can only make a break of five, with White now all but assured victory.

White 44-1 O'Connor

The Welshman is taking these well despite the pressure he must be feeling inside the Swansea Arena. The former champion misses a black off the spot but has built a strong lead with just three minutes remaining.

White *20-1 O'Connor

A terrific safety earns White his first chance. He's among the balls and on a break of 20 with five minutes left on the clock.

White 0-1 O'Connor

O'Connor slots a superb opening red but doesn't land nicely on a colour. Cagey start to this one

Next up - White v O'Connor

Wales' Michael White takes on Joe O'Connor next with most of the White family in attendance. No pressure...

Result - Wilson 101-1 Lilley

The five-time ranking event winner makes the century, playing up to the crowd after just about every shot. He even whips another glove out after yesterday's oven mitt grabbed the headlines. Joking aside, though, that was an impressive performance. He'll take some stopping.

Wilson 82-1 Lilley

Wilson urges the crowd to make more noise after a brief lull. He's enjoying himself out here and why not, he's flying. He's booked his place in the last 16 and is on for a century. What a start!

Wilson 21-1 Lilley

Lilley potted the opening red but missed the yellow in front of a raucous crowd. Wilson is among the balls and looking good.

It's time

David Lilley takes on Kyren Wilson in the first of the last-32 ties. Here we go!

Fun and games of the Shoot Out

At this event like no other, this was one of the standout moments of yesterday's action...

‘Might have to bring a crash helmet’ - Leclercq hits white ball off the table at Shoot Out

It's finals day!

Welcome to Saturday at the Snooker Shoot Out. We've got some cracking match-ups to come and you can follow all the actions as it happens here!

'Why not bring it out!' Wilson explains why he wore an oven glove

Kyren Wilson decided to wear an oven glove during his Snooker Shoot Out second-round win on Friday afternoon.

The former World Championship finalist is looking to bounce back at the event this weekend after a 6-5 defeat to world No. 60 Jamie Clarke, despite being 5-1 up, at the UK Championship last week.

Wilson edged past Daniel Wells 47-38 in the Shoot Out first round on Wednesday to book his place in the last 64. On Friday, he was up against Egypt's Mostafa Dorgham.

An error from Dorgham allowed Wilson back into the frame and he capitalised in a 71-14 win. Once Wilson knew the frame was sealed, he put a bright red oven glove on his bridge hand to the delight of the crowd inside Swansea Arena.

"The kitchen were kind enough to lend me it," Wilson explained to Eurosport after the match.

"I just thought this event is so much fun. Obviously I got it out when I won the frame, I wouldn't do it if I needed to win it. Everyone wants a good time.

"It's a good weekend. So yeah, why not bring it out?

"I just kept hearing someone shout 'don't forget the roast'. I'm cooking a roast apparently."

Read the full interview here.