Maguire emerges from all-Scottish affair to secure semi-final spot

Published on Thursday 18 December 2008 22:35

STEPHEN Maguire marched into the semi-finals of the Maplin UK Championship after a 9-7 win over compatriot John Higgins in last night's all-Scottish clash at the Telford International Arena.

Maguire won a tight affair when, after compiling a break of 69 in the final frame, he appeared to leave Higgins a glimmer of hope by leaving the final red ball tantalisingly over a pocket.

However, in attempting to swerve back up the table to the remaining colours, Higgins succeeded only in knocking the ball out of the pocket and off the table. The foul was enough for the Wishaw man to concede the match.

Maguire often looked the more assured player in what was an often scrappy match despite the fact that he is under scrutiny following the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association's decision to conduct a formal investigation into his first-round victory over Jamie Burnett.

Maguire will be spoken to regarding that match, as will Burnett, but the world No 2's focus remains on his quest to win the Telford title.

The Glasgow man will now meet England's Shaun Murphy, who underlined his timely return to form by polishing off Stephen Lee in last night's other quarter-final.

Former world champion Murphy had raced into a 7-1 lead in the first session and despite losing the first two frames in the evening, recovered to claim a 9-3 win.

The 26-year-old might have expected a tougher test from Lee, a former top 16 player who had questioned his future after falling out of the elite last year.

Lee had looked in fine form all week but a series of early errors cost him dear as he dropped seven frames in a row after clinching the opener.

The Trowbridge potter rallied gallantly in the evening session with two consecutive half-century breaks giving him a flicker of hope before another mistake in the 11th frame cost him dear.

Murphy pounced with a superb break of 98 to move within one frame of victory and moved over the finish line at the first attempt.