Mark Williams, beaten in the deciding frame when Wales were knocked out of the 1996 World Cup, made amends by keeping his country's Nations Cup snooker challenge alive in Newcastle last night. Williams held his nerve to put the seal on a 6-5 Welsh victory over Northern Ireland.

Jason Prince had a 40 break in overcoming Williams before veteran Dennis Taylor brought his vast experience to bear.

The 1985 world champion, who celebrated his 50th birthday on Tuesday, ground out a 39-minute singles triumph over Matthew Stevens before a 52 break helped him and partner Terry Murphy win a vital doubles contest.

That pushed Northern Ireland into a 5-3 lead and onto the verge of chalking up their second success of the week, having shocked England 6-5 on Monday.

But Williams then sneaked past Murphy with a last red to blue clearance which launched the Welsh revival.