Craig Steadman outplays Kurt Maflin 4-3, at the Q School – Snooker News
Craig Steadman beat Kurt Maflin by a frame score of 4-3, in the best-of-seven frames Round 1 match at the Q School. This event is being held at the World Snooker Academy, Sheffield.
Kurt Maflin, who shrugged-off the likes of Jack Lisowski, Dave Harold and Mark King in the qualifying rounds of the China Open, crashed out in event one at the Q School.
Steadman put in an accomplishing performance, as he managed in edging his strong opponent, in the final deciding frame.
Both Englishman put up an excellent show and the overall score-line was 49-75 (Maflin 48, Steadman 54), 80-1 (Maflin 80), 42-79 (Steadman 46), 52-60, 65-55 (Maflin 53), 69-13 (Maflin 64) and 45-76 (Steadman 42).
First chance in the opening frame came for Maflin but he lost his nerves, breaking down on 48 and when the chance presented itself, Steadman slotted a superb break of 54 to take the lead 1-0. The second frame was over within a blink of an eye, as Maflin
responded with a magnificent break of 80, to level proceedings. Steadman, however, restored his one frame lead at 2-1, in the third frame with a decisive break of 46.
The following fourth frame was a scrappy affair. A bout of safety play was seen among the players but in the end it was again Steadman, who came on top to leave his opponent down by two frames, with three to play at 3-1.
The match was almost through before Maflin bounced back into the game, with all of his energy and won two frames in a row to force the decider. Meanwhile, he also enjoyed carving breaks of 53 and 64 in both frames, respectively.
The final deciding frame was again cagey, as both players looked tense. However, in the end it was Steadman who held his nerves and secured a place in the next Round. The tournament is evenly poised with all players looking to be in good form and eyeing
to secure a place among the top twelve players, who will gain a professional tour card.
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