One sport that has eluded them is snooker. But that all changed with Neil Robertson’s 18-13 victory over Scotland’s Graeme Dott on Sunday. ‘The Thunder from Down Under’ described the achievement as ‘absolutely incredible’ after picking up a cheque for £250,000 for his efforts.

“I seriously can’t believe it. In my last-16 match, I was 11-5 down to Martin Gould and after my match with Ali Carter I was really disappointed I couldn’t have any of my family over for the final.

“Then I got a voicemail from my mum to say that when I was 15-9 up overnight against Ali, she had jumped on a plane, so it was quite lucky I finished the job off!

“My mum and her partner have travelled for ages and they only got two hours’ sleep before the final, so for them to be here makes it absolutely perfect” said Robertson.

Relive the final frame below.

Organiser Joe Johnson (pictured), winner of the World Snooker Championship in 1986, today announced that the tournament will have no less than six former world champions on show, with Ken Doherty, Peter Ebdon, John Parrott and Dennis Taylor confirmed to take part in the new event.

“I have been working very hard to pull this concept together and I am glad that with World Snooker’s help we are making it a reality” said Johnson.

“I cannot wait to get out on the floor and battle it out with my old friends and adversaries. Snooker fans have been crying out for this type of event and I am sure that we will do our best to put on an entertaining Championship.”

The World Snr Championship format

Venue – Cedar House
Date – 5th – 7th November 2010
Players – Alex Higgins, Steve Davis, Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, Peter Ebdon, John Parrott, Joe Johnson, Dennis Taylor, Tony Knowles, Tony Drago, Mike Hallett, Darren Morgan, Nigel Bond, Joe Swail, David Taylor, Dave Harold
Structure – Qualifying rounds -> Quarters-finals -> Semi-finals -> Finals
Prize pool – £50,000

Check out the great Alex Higgins in action below.

Doherty, winner at the Crucible back in 1997, kissed the theatre floor after entering the arena to face Selby on Saturday, but it was the ‘Jester from Leicester’

The Dubliner, absent from snookers showpiece tournament 12 months ago, had to defeat Jimmy White and Joe Swail to even secure a spot against Mark Selby, but he had no answer against the in form world number 7.

Selby punished Doherty at almost every attempt and after opening up a 6-3 lead in the opening session he finished the job off 10-4 to book a second round clash against Stephen Hendry.

Doherty was full of praise for his opponent after bowing out at the first hurdle: “He looks like a guy who’s really on top form and it’s always hard to play against someone like that.”

“Every time you make even the smallest miscalculation you’re punished by him clearing up and winning the frame.”

Watch the final frame, of what could be Doherty’s last appearance at the Crucible, below.

Provisional

The world number 16 strode out to the dulcet tones of Ice Cube’s ‘You Can Do It (Put Your Back Into It)’ in his matches against Jimmy White and Stephen Maguire, but his 6-3 defeat to the latter last night signals the end of anymore ostentatious entrances at The Masters.

Maguire will now face the winner of Ryan Day vs Joe Perry, while King will no doubt reflect on what could have been, as he had enough chances to wrap up victory over the Scot.

Relive Mark King’s walk-on to Ice Cube below!

2005 World champion, Murphy, beat Stephen Hendry 6-4 in what was the closest match yet of this year’s Masters, while Mark Williams overcame Rory McLeod 6-2 to book his place in round 2.

Murphy faces the winner of Mark Williams’ clash with Ali Carter next up, while for Hendry his search for a first title in 5 years goes on.

The final game of the day sees Jimmy White’s conqueror, Mark King, face world number 2 Stephen Maguire for a quarter-final berth.

Leading online poker site, Pokerstars.com, will sponsor the upcoming Wembley event and Hearn had this to say about the new deal – “This is another fantastic boost for snooker and it feels as if things are really turning around for our sport.”

“We’ve now got sponsors on board for three of our biggest UK tournaments and I’m sure that there are more to come” added Hearn.

“It came as a big surprise and, without being too cynical, I hope it’s not just a ploy to get a few votes because of our AGM, which is on next week” said the 1997 world champion.

Walker’s proposal could see snooker visiting countries such as Brazil, Poland, Romania and Australia next year, but Doherty has questioned the timing of the announcement.

“It comes after Barry Hearn throwing his hat in the ring a couple of weeks ago saying that if the chairman was ousted he would certainly, if the players supported him, take over the chairman’s role.”

The Irishman was particularly pleased with Walker’s plan to boost the number of ranking tournaments, from 6 this season, to 15 in 2010 – “It would be fantastic if it happens because it’s what the players want. This year we have only six ranking tournaments so to have 15 would be a huge bonus.”

However, with tournaments costing in the region of a half a million pounds to stage is the demand for these new tournaments in countries with little interest in snooker realistic?

“We don’t know. I think the proof is in the pudding. We have to wait and see where the tournaments are and what they are going to go for. You could say you were going to have a ranking tournament for £5,000 but that wouldn’t make any sense” concluded Doherty.