Basildon snooker star Stuart Bingham won through to the last 16 of the Benson and Hedges Championship yesterday -- despite his opponent firing a 147 maximum during their fifth-round match.
Bingham, based at the Executive Club in Leigh, was up against one of the most experienced players left in the event at the Towers Club in Mansfield, Malta's Tony Drago.
And Drago struck with his maximum -- the first of his 17-year long tournament career -- in the seventh frame of their best of nine affair.
However, it didn't stop new towner Bingham, who has achieved no less than 26 147s during his snooker life, going on to win the match 5-3.
After his victory, Bingham expressed his delight that his friend Drago had got a 147.
He said: "I didn't realise until the referee called out 72 that Tony was on his way to a maximum.
"Then I thought 'hang on a minute, he could get a max here'.
"Once the frame was lost I just said 'Come on Tony' and I was delighted when he got there."
Today Bingham was taking on Paul Davies, of Wales, and, if successful, would then be involved in the battle for a semi-final spot tonight.
Published Tuesday October 29, 2002
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