SNOOKER: World champion Ronnie O'Sullivan crushed James Wattana 5-2 to reach the third round of the Thailand Masters in Bangkok yesterday and then said he was sorry for having handed another setback to the Thai star.
O'Sullivan, whose highest break of 94 came in the last frame of their second-round clash, admitted he couldn't help feeling sorry for the out-of-form Thai, who is in danger of losing his top-32 ranking at the end of the season.
"James is a great player but he is struggling and it hurts me to see him like that," said O'Sullivan. "I know how he feels and how bad it is when you are used to potting balls for fun but find it so tough playing in front of your own crowd."
Meanwhile, John Higgins set a record break for the tournament when he recorded a clearance of 145 during his 5-4 victory over Northern Ireland's Joe Swail in the last 16.
Higgins's total clearance, his highest in a ranking event, overtook Stephen Hendry's 143 which was made in 1993 and it will earn him a bonus of £5,200 if it remains the highest of the week-long event.
BASKETBALL: Coláiste Éanna continued a long tradition by winning the All-Ireland League Under-19 A final in nail- biting fashion at the National Arena in Tallaght yesterday. Irish junior international Eoin White was instrumental, ending the match with 22 points, in the 50-49 victory.
Tralee Community College proved to be formidable opposition, with Wayne O'Riordan and Daniel Boylan a constant threat.
