McManus loses out to Ebdon

PETER EBDON made up for last year's disappointment in the Regal Masters final by adding his name to the trophy in Motherwell …

PETER EBDON made up for last year's disappointment in the Regal Masters final by adding his name to the trophy in Motherwell last night.

Ebdon ensured Alan McManus became a Masters nearly man for the second time in four seasons courtesy of a 9-6 victory worth £60,000.

The 26 year old Englishman, who scored a semi final win over local boy John Higgins, again silenced a partisan Scottish crowd.

The world number three from Wellingborough struggled early on but turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 first session lead.

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Ebdon regained the initiative at 6-5 helped by his fourth half century. Ebdon's had a 127 clearance in frame 12 and after McManus missed a long brown in the 13th frame, Ebdon sank brown and blue to leave the world number six requiring a snooker. McManus made a couple of brave attempts before watching in horror as the pink eventually dropped to leave him trailing 8-5.

His response brought the house down, equalling Ebdon's 100 with his own 127 clearance. But he wobbled in sight of the finish, Ebdon wrapped up his victory.