Australian Billiards & Snooker Council

News

Neil Robertson Achieves 147 Maximum Break
13 Jun 2005

Neil Robertson achieved snooker perfection with a maximum 147 break on his way to winning the West Coast International in Perth yesterday. This is the first time such a break has been made in Western Australia, and only the third in Australian tournament play.

He defeated local West Australian Matthew Bolton 5-2 in the final, treating the crowd to the special feat in the second frame. The tension in the room grew as each red ball was potted and followed by a black. A few difficult positions were negotiated, particularly with five reds remaining and Neil needing to play a difficult pot with the rest to hold position on the black.

With the 15 red and black balls potted, all that remained were the six colours to be sunk in order. The crowd gasped when he struck the yellow a little too hard and the white ball nestled up next to the blue, almost snookered on the green. The left hander then needed the rest for the green and brown, with thunderous applause coming as each ball dropped into the pocket.

The blue and pink followed, with Neil regaining ideal position to pot the final black. As the ball dropped to complete the magical 147 the crowd roared, with a standing ovation that lasted for several minutes.

Robertson was the stand-out favourite for the event, and he proved the punters right with top class displays in every game. He was under pressure in the semi final from visiting Englishman Rob James, who led 2-0, but Robertson then stepped up a gear to take the next five frames and seal his place in the final.

Matthew Bolton is best known for his achievements as the Australian Billiards Champion, but has now made his mark in the game of snooker after capturing some big scalps on his way to the final. He defeated the 2002 IBSF World Champion Steve Mifsud in the quarter finals 4-1, then went on to defeat Aaron Mahoney (winner and runner-up of the Australian Open for the last two years) 5-1 in the semi final. The result now makes Matthew one of only two players to be ranked in the top ten of both billiards and snooker in Australia.

This was Neil Robertson’s only tournament appearance in Australia this year before returning to the UK to compete on the professional circuit. He is now provisionally ranked number 13 in the world for the 2005-06 season, and looks set to improve that standing in the year to come.