Snooker Victorian Plumbing UK Championship

UK Championship snooker recap - Barry Hawkins outlasts Mark Allen in gruelling battle to secure final with Judd Trump

It's semi-final day at the UK Championship at the York Barbican. World No. 1 Judd Trump completed a 6-2 win over world champion Kyren Wilson before Barry Hawkins faced Mark Allen in the evening session from 19:00 BST. Trump now leads the head-to-head with Wilson 13-10 after losing their last two meetings - the 2024 Northern Ireland Open final and the 2024 Xi'an Grand Prix final.

'How about that' - Allen pulls off incredible escape from a snooker

Video credit: TNT Sports

THANKS FOR JOINING US

We will be back at 1pm on Sunday when the final gets underway between Trump and Hawkin. Could be quite the contest in the chase for the £250,000 first prize.

'Wow!' - Allen sinks delicate long red to take two-frame lead in semi

Video credit: TNT Sports

Victorian Plumbing UK Championship

'I'm in the hardest era' - Trump brushes off O’Sullivan comparisons after UK Championship win

02/12/2024 at 21:25

RESULT: ALLEN 5-6 HAWKINS

"I just kept trying my hardest," says Hawkins. "I've not had a good record here over the years. Finally, getting to the final is amazing. I've rode my luck here. Could have been out against Dave [Gilbert] and then tonight. Judd is a different kind of player, no disrespect to Mark, but it will be a free-flowing match, and it will be amazing to play Judd again. He is an all-time great."

Mark Allen: "Barry was by far the better player tonight. It is disappointing, but plenty of positives to take this week. And good luck to Barry and Judd tomorrow."

ALLEN 5-5 HAWKINS (41-67)

In goes the blue, and on goes Barry. Superb finish as pink is drained. Barry through to face Judd Trump in the final on Sunday. A gruelling battle, but Hawkins prevails 6-5 just before 1am.

ALLEN 5-5 HAWKINS (41-52)

Corking final red from distance by Hawkins. Is this the final surge for victory then? In goes the blue, and back up for yellow using rest. Across for the green. And this shot is all about leaving an angle on brown to blue.

ALLEN 5-5 HAWKINS (41-41)

We are heading into five hours of snooker in this match. That is quite something. Still a fair bit to be sorted out in this final frame too.

'My goodness’ – Allen pulls off incredible snooker in gripping decider as clock ticks past midnight

Video credit: TNT Sports

ALLEN 5-5 HAWKINS (41-41)

Down to the final red and the whole match is square in points and frames just before 1am. This match could go either way. Green and brown are relatively safe.

ALLEN 5-5 HAWKINS (27-41)

A gruelling final frame, but an error by Barry sticks up a red over the yellow pocket after he failed to land on a red at the top end of the table. Going for half an hour in this frame. Chance for Allen to get himself ahead in the frame.

ALLEN 5-5 HAWKINS (14-39)

Bit of a blunder by Allen to leave Barry an easy starter after he missed the clip on a red. Every point a prisoner now out there. Hawkins adds six to his total, but no more as a tough shot on a red with rest doesn't drop.

ALLEN 5-5 HAWKINS (14-32)

Allen so unfortunate to run out of position, but he comes up with an excellent snooker before Barry responds with a terrific escape of his own. This frame and match not slipping quietly into the night.

ALLEN 5-5 HAWKINS (14-32)

Well, would you believe it. Barry plodding along nicely. Reaches 32, but misses a red to the yellow bag. Groans around the Barbican. What can Mark Allen offer in response? Six, but he loses the white. Forced to dig out the spider. But he doesn't fancy it. Regroups and drops in the red cueing over the red. Great shot.

ALLEN 5-5 HAWKINS (0-13)

A stunning plant on a red from Hawkins to get first prod at these balls. What a chance to build a healthy lead in the frame he requires to get himself into the final.

ALLEN 5-5 HAWKINS (0-114)

So we are into this final frame, and more tactical play is the order of the day. Who is going to get the big chance in the decider?

ALLEN 5-5 HAWKINS (0-114)

Just when he needed it most, Barry Hawkins comes up with a quite majestic century of 114 to force the 10th decider of the week. This math is 4 hours and 23 minutes and counting.

ALLEN 5-4 HAWKINS (0-69)

In goes the red with a superb cut. Faced with a tough straight black, but he buries the object ball. Back on the next red, and this semi-final should be all level after Hawkins finishes off here.

ALLEN 5-4 HAWKINS (0-45)

This is looking very promising for Barry here. Into the pack off a blue. Not ideal on the next red. But he has a shot at one with the rest. And he needs extension work done on the cue and rest too.

ALLEN 5-4 HAWKINS (0-20)

Barry gets first poke at these balls via a long red as he bids to force a decider. What has he got left here at midnight? Can he unearth a heavy contribution when he needs it most. In goes a high black to remain at the table. Another plant is superbly made.

ALLEN 4-4 HAWKINS (61-10)

This has been very decent from Mark Allen. A 40 break gives him a lead of 49 with just a possible 43 left up. Looks like a 5-4 lead for the 2022 UK champion. Super long red from Mark, and that is the frame for Allen. A 5-4 advantage with a possible two more frames remaining.

'How about that' - Allen pulls off incredible escape from a snooker

Video credit: TNT Sports

ALLEN 4-4 HAWKINS (20-10)

Terrific pot on a red by Allen as he sinks the object ball into a top pocket. That is a superb pot. Pink and black out of commission, but plenty of reds out in the open.

ALLEN 4-4 HAWKINS (19-10)

Allen offers Hawkins chance of a re-rack here, but Hawkins rejects the offer. Don't often see that. But they are at least out of the stalemate in baulk.

ALLEN 4-4 HAWKINS (19-10)

A third poor safety shot by Barry in this frame. But hasn't been punished as Allen misses the pack in potting blue. Another safety shot the only option. Looks like we're heading beyond midnight at the Barbican.

ALLEN 4-4 HAWKINS (12-4)

All sorts of errors on the go early in the ninth frame. Allen goes in off trying to pot the black, but Hawkins with a dreadful safety error. Allen can't get pack of reds open off black.

ALLEN 4-3 HAWKINS (13-104)

What a time to start running into some form. 40 and 57 in previous frame and Hawkins suddenly into the 80s here. 84 to the colours, and we are level here at 4-4. A bit of vital table time for Hawkins which he has enjoyed.

ALLEN 4-3 HAWKINS (13-66)

Hawkins carts a plant on reds. Had to make it, but superb effort to knock that in. Suddenly chance to win frame and level us up at 4-4. A fascinating battle, and Barry is finding some form here.

ALLEN 4-3 HAWKINS (13-33)

Superb cut on a red by Barry to regain access to the table. That was not easy, but red just about dropped and suddenly he can pile on a few points here.

ALLEN 4-3 HAWKINS (13-20)

So another fierce safety battle continues in this eighth frame. Which has been story of the evening. Allen warned he has to hit a red after twice missing, but he makes it the third time.

ALLEN 4-3 HAWKINS (13-12)

Allen suddenly in a spot of trouble after a red to a left middle doesn't drop. White left in behind the brown on the baulk cushion by Hawkins.

ALLEN 4-3 HAWKINS (5-8)

Mark so unlucky to see a black disappear down a hole trying to run safe off the pack. Allen put back in. And he pops in a brilliant plant on reds. Which will not do much for Barry's mood.

ALLEN 4-2 HAWKINS (1-97)

A tidy closing cameo break of 57 to go with the earlier 40. Back to 4-3 behind as we head for 11pm in the UK. Plenty of action left in this match you suspect.

ALLEN 4-2 HAWKINS (1-73)

An error by Allen as he slots red, but then jaws a tricky pink. What a chance then for Hawkins to close to 4-3 behind in this war of attritional. Hawkins takes out balls he requires to remain in the hunt in this semi-final.

ALLEN 4-2 HAWKINS (0-40)

Barry first to the punch in this seventh frame of a possible 11. Vital you would think for his future health in this match that he begins to score here. This tactical duel is not suiting 'The Hawk'. Brilliant recovery pot on a red to left middle. But he breaks down on 40 as tough red along top cushion stays out.

Allen powers in impressive long red against Hawkins

Video credit: TNT Sports

ALLEN 3-2 HAWKINS (52-20)

What a pot by Allen on the final red. Brilliant final pot as he cuts the red into the yellow bag. That is the frame-winner. Barry has seen enough. A 4-2 lead for the Antrim man.

ALLEN 3-2 HAWKINS (51-20)

Allen refusing to take on a green to land on the red at the top of end of table. Preferring instead to lay another snooker. Only one red still on the table.

ALLEN 3-2 HAWKINS (50-20)

Down to the final reds in this sixth frame. Allen holding a lead of 30 points and is happy to continue dragging this match into the long grass with the tactical bouts.

ALLEN 3-2 HAWKINS (50-19)

Allen unfortunate to see a white jump down a middle pocket, but no real harm done and on we go.

ALLEN 3-2 HAWKINS (50-15)

Allen with a brilliant long red before he rolls up behind the yellow seconds later. Hawkins with another error in trying to escape from a snooker. Sticks another red up for Allen. Hawkins seems to have lost all sense of timing at the moment. But Allen misses a red seconds later. Nothing left for his opponent with three reds above board.

ALLEN 3-2 HAWKINS (40-15)

A stunning long red by Mark before he rolls in behind the brown. Super escape from Barry a few seconds later to get white safe on top cushion.

ALLEN 3-2 HAWKINS (35-15)

Neither man overly convincing among the balls as Hawkins misses yellow with the rest. Allen slides in a cut on a red, but peak position is an issue. In goes the blue. But he is out of position on 35 after slotting red. Just safety to follow.

ALLEN 2-2 HAWKINS (75-20)

Allen also appears to be complaining about the table under his breath. A run of 64, and a 3-2 lead.

ALLEN 2-2 HAWKINS (55-20)

Not exactly racing through these balls. Allen well over 30 seconds a shot in reaching 37. Hawkins forced to sit and suffer. Allen near winning line in this frame.

ALLEN 2-2 HAWKINS (12-20)

But he somehow loses position from being bang in among balls. Just a safety to follow. And he nails Hawkins to cushion behind the yellow. What a shot Hawkins short of place with escape, and a second golden chance for Allen to win this frame.

ALLEN 2-2 HAWKINS (1-20)

Lovely pot by Hawkins to sink a mid-range red after Allen is well off the angle in going for a long red. Barry trying to inject some pace into his visit. Decent chance here to score. But he isn't on a red ideally in splitting pack, and a cutback red doesn't drop. What a chance for Mark Allen.

ALLEN 2-2 HAWKINS (0-0)

Boys back on the baize then for the remainder of this semi-final. First to six reaches the final.

ALLEN 1-2 HAWKINS (71-39)

Looks like Allen is going to level us up. Hawkins misses a cut on a yellow to right centre, and sticks up the yellow for his opponent to mop up colours. In goes the pink, and this match is level at 2-2. 50 from Allen the highest break of the match.

ALLEN 1-2 HAWKINS (51-39)

Hawkins battling back in this frame, but underhits blue and is not ideal on final red. Tries to clip in red across table, but always heading for top jaw. Allen despatches red, but not on a colour. Just the roll up behind the black.

ALLEN 1-2 HAWKINS (50-14)

Safety shot by Mark after rolling in 50, but an error seconds later gives Hawkins a go. But the Hawk then misses a mid-range red. This match lacking any sort of fluency as Allen then misses a cut to a left centre. Hawkins strokes a fine red into the left centre. In goes blue. Chance to recover in this fourth frame.

'Where's the red?' - Hawkins gets lucky with fluke against Allen

Video credit: TNT Sports

ALLEN 1-2 HAWKINS (50-0)

Mark moves up to 41, his highest break of the evening. Making sure of the balls here as he tries to restore parity at the mid-session interval.

ALLEN 1-2 HAWKINS (33-0)

Allen takes a long time over a fairly routine red. Out of position, but recovers superbly well. In goes blue to right middle. And is ideal on red at top end of table. Can he speed up here? Lacking any sense of rhythm or momentum. But slowly getting there.

ALLEN 1-1 HAWKINS (48-68)

Barry forcing the mistake from Allen late in this frame. Prompts the error, and suddenly chance is right there for a 2-1 lead. Hawkins with a high break of 40 so far, Allen only 36. Every shot is a pint of blood. Which is okay if you win them. Hawkins tucks away the colours to pink. Job done.

ALLEN 1-1 HAWKINS (48-40)

Hawkins with a snooker behind the yellow. Allen doesn't hit red first time. Looks like we're heading for another tight finale to the third frame. Misses second time, but hits third time coming off two cushions.

ALLEN 1-1 HAWKINS (48-23)

Well, Allen's pace of play is very ponderous. Could do with upping his shot time here. Misses another easy red as another visit comes to a premature end. Chance for Hawkins to recover.

ALLEN 1-1 HAWKINS (37-1)

So unfortunate for Barry as he bags a long red down the table. In goes blue at pace to left centre, but he ends up producing a plant on reds. Bad, bad luck. Will he get another shot in this frame? And looks likely with Allen out of position again quickly.

ALLEN 1-1 HAWKINS (28-0)

More of the same in this frame. Allen threatening to cue loose, but ends up seeing a red come back out a middle pocket jaw. So back to a safety joust.

ALLEN 1-1 HAWKINS (9-0)

Mark punches in a long red before adding a black to the right middle. Can the Antrim man piece together some scoring form here after the brutal nature of the first two frames?

ALLEN 0-1 HAWKINS (60-51)

Very similar to the first frame. But this time it is Mark Allen who knocks in the brown, blue and pink to seal the frame in levelling at 1-1. Two tough frames, but we are all level in this semi-final scrap.

ALLEN 0-1 HAWKINS (45-51)

Allen nudges himself into the lead on the final two reds. But looks like another safety shot is going to be delivered,. Opts to knock a yellow away from side cushion. Hawkins then flukes the final red down the length of table. In goes the black. Chance to trouser second frame on colours. But can't get to brown at the top end of table. So just the safety to follow.

ALLEN 0-1 HAWKINS (37-38)

The Northern Irishman right back in the hunt in this second frame. Two points behind as he plays a snooker with four reds left on the table. This second frame also turning into a bit of a tense battle.

ALLEN 0-1 HAWKINS (4-38)

Can't go up for the blue as it is off spot. Might need to go up for a baulk colour. And he then butchers a mid-range green. Well off the pot. That is a big error by Barry. Chance passes to Allen.

ALLEN 0-1 HAWKINS (0-29)

Excellent from Barry to drop in the red from mid-range and hold for the black. Would dearly love to get his cue arm working here after the elongated opener. Is he thinking of a 147 here

ALLEN 0-0 HAWKINS (50-76)

And Barry drains the blue and pink for a 1-0 lead. A 55-minute first frame. Phew! One for the purists.

ALLEN 0-0 HAWKINS (50-65)

We are down to a fight on the brown as Allen nails the green. Has been an uncompromising first frame. Hawkins requires brown near green bag, but can't ram it in at pace. Allen then rattles jaws of a top bag with the brown. In goes cut on brown from Barry with the rest.

ALLEN 0-0 HAWKINS (47-61)

Hawkins ends up missing the green and clips the blue on way down table. Chance for Allen to slot green, but no value in it with brown on side cush. So opts to get the balls replaced. Hawkins then misses coming off two cushions. But gets there the third time. No nearer to finding a winner.

ALLEN 0-0 HAWKINS (38-61)

This is a brutal opening frame with a safety joust on green set to settle it. Could be a key frame moving forward for the rest of the night with both players making errors. Excellent from Hawkins to snooker Allen behind the black. Allen escapes the second time. Brown has gone safe too.

ALLEN 0-0 HAWKINS (38-57)

Hawkins with a chance, but not downing a red from distance sees Allen continue to remain in the hunt, heading for the green. Allen with a half-decent snooker behind the blue. But Hawkins escapes.

ALLEN 0-0 HAWKINS (31-57)

This has been an error-strewn opening frame. Allen with another miss on an easy red. So many mistakes in this opening frame. Down to the final red.

ALLEN 0-0 HAWKINS (17-49)

Barry making the first major move of this frame as he smashes in a brilliant pot on a long-range brown to remain at the table. That will get the juices flowing. But he ends up missing a red holding a lead of 40 points. So chance gone to pocket the first frame at this visit. Allen bids to launch the counter.

ALLEN 0-0 HAWKINS (9-9)

Anything can be missed on a snooker table. And we have just seen two examples of that as Allen sees an easy red stick in the jaws before Hawkins sees a black off the spot stick in the jaws of the same pocket. Then Allen can't get on black after potting a red. Bizarre passage of play.

ALLEN 0-0 HAWKINS (1-0)

Not much on the go so far in terms of potting balls before Allen flukes a snooker behind green. Trouble for 'The Hawk'. Hits a red, but leaves Allen with chance to get hand on table to score.

ALLEN 0-0 HAWKINS (0-0)

Off we go then for the first frame of a possible 11. And we might need them all this evening. Opening red for Allen to attack off the break-off shot. Pondering his options. Has a pop at red, but nowhere near the potting angle.

A SUPERB PLANT FROM TRUMP

Enjoy this little beauty from Judd Trump this afternoon in closing out his 6-2 win over Kyren Wilson.

Trump keeps break alive with brilliant plant against Wilson

Video credit: TNT Sports

REPORT: TRUMP SNAPS LOSING RUN TO WILSON

Judd Trump booked his place in the final of the UK Championship with victory over Kyren Wilson. World champion Wilson won the opening two frames, but he had no answer as Trump dominated the remainder of the contest at the Barbican in York on Saturday afternoon. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the UK Championship, live and on demand on Eurosport and discovery+. Read more here

Trump wraps up win over Wilson at UK Championship in style with a century

Video credit: TNT Sports

THANKS FOR JOINING US

We will be back at 7pm with the second semi-final between 2022 winner Mark Allen and Barry Hawkins as they meet for a spot against Trump in Sunday's best-of-19 frame final.

Trump flukes red into left middle against Wilson at UK Championship

Video credit: TNT Sports

RESULT: TRUMP 6-2 WILSON

A 100 break from Judd Trump to finish it off. Deserving win for Trump in the end. He will face Mark Allen or Barry Hawkins in the final on Sunday. Was not a classic dust-up, the world No. 1 produced a functional performance in progressing.

"Every trophy is on my hit list," said Trump. "The final game is so important because you just get forgotten about if you don't win it."

TRUMP 5-2 WILSON (61-0)

Could this be another century to finish it off? Looks like the end is nigh for Kyren, who has shipped six straight frames to tumble out. No breaks over 30 from him since leading 2-0.

TRUMP 5-2 WILSON (41-0)

That is a brilliant plant on two reds by Judd leading 28-0 to keep this break going. Into the pack off the blue. And suddenly this is a golden chance to win frame and match. Break moves to 41.

TRUMP 5-2 WILSON (13-0)

Trump suddenly finding his range from distance. Seems to be finding the heart of the pocket with every long red. In goes another corker at outset of eighth frame.

TRUMP 4-2 WILSON (71-27)

Judd knocks in the final red he needs, and suddenly Trump within one of victory. Far from vintage, but doesn't have to be. Trump requires one frame for victory.

TRUMP 4-2 WILSON (70-27)

One snooker back for Kyren, but still requires another two snookers.

TRUMP 4-2 WILSON (70-23)

And this semi-final is heading 5-2 in favour of Judd. Putting away the balls he needs with a break of 65. Wilson returns to table, but this is a done deal surely, 62 points behind with a possible 51 remaining.

TRUMP 4-2 WILSON (27-8)

Another chance presented to Judd by an opponent who is clearly struggling out there. Surely he is going to make good on this chance by building a decent advantage.

TRUMP 4-2 WILSON (5-8)

Is this the run for the line from Judd? Must be growing in confidence with every passing frame. It feels like 2-0 behind was a long time ago. Brilliant long red, and he has first go at the balls here. But he misses a black off the spot. That is a bad miss. But Wilson again can't punish as he misses the pack off black. Been story of his day. Just safety to follow.

TRUMP 3-2 WILSON (73-16)

Not exactly classic fare, but finally Judd drops in the red to right centre that he requires for a 4-2 advantage. Judd making fewer mistakes than Kyren to move clear in this semi-final.

TRUMP 3-2 WILSON (65-16)

Wilson can only afford one pink with these final three reds. Two on a side rail. But he misses a cut to a right centre. And that might be the last shot of frame for Kyren. But no. Trump can't roll in a red to seal the frame using the rest.

TRUMP 3-2 WILSON (65-16)

Trump picks out an excellent cut on a mid-range red across the table. Looks for all the world like this is heading 4-2 in favour of the 2011 UK champion. But Trump misses a red. Couldn't see the full pocket, and it fails to drop. 67 left on table as Kyren comes to the table.

TRUMP 3-2 WILSON (54-0)

Another blunder by Wilson as a long red doesn't drop, and he leaves another simple starter for Judd. Suddenly Trump looking calmer and calmer with Wilson feeling the pace. Trump hoping to reel off a fourth straight frame.

TRUMP 3-2 WILSON (33-0)

Judd making a fast start to the sixth frame. Long red pokes its head out, and Trump prods it home with some ease. Is he finally going to cut loose here? Hasn't played anywhere near his peak to lead 3-2. Which will concern Kyren. Tries to split pack of reds off blue, but doesn't land on an easy red. Just the safety.

TRUMP 2-2 WILSON (58-34)

Safety error by Wilson has buried his hopes on the final four colours. Trump slams in a long brown before dropping in the blue and pink. And there we have it. A 3-2 lead for Judd in the race to six. Both men had chances, but Trump comes out on top.

TRUMP 2-2 WILSON (43-34)

Judd can't come up with the finishing touch to seal the frame, and Kyren responds with a lovely opening red from distance. Back to 14 points behind heading for colours. Wilson looking for six of them to restore his lead at 3-2. Kyren can't land on brown so we are back to a safety battle.

TRUMP 2-2 WILSON (33-12)

Another chance eludes Judd as he can only come up with a red and brown combo before a red to left centre stays out. Wilson with a solid mid-range red in response, but he then misses fine cut on green. What a chance then for Judd to secure a 3-2 lead.

TRUMP 2-2 WILSON (27-12)

Some nice safety shots being played here. Both players desperate not to leave any sort of pot on. Which is easier said than done.

TRUMP 2-2 WILSON (26-4)

Spot of good luck for Judd not to leave that easier for Kyren, but he is up and running with hand on table. Plods his way to 26 before he is faced with a tricky red using the rest. But he pots red before going in off another red. Poor really. And break comes to end.

TRUMP 2-2 WILSON (1-0)

This semi-final could go either way. Neither man overly convincing with safety shots today so far. Trump rattles the jaws with a long red attempt. Wilson then misses tough red hampered bridging over yellow.

TRUMP 1-2 WILSON (100-17)

An eighth century of the week from Judd. 100 exactly. His 43rd of the season, and eighth of the week. All level at 2-2.

TRUMP 1-2 WILSON (73-17)

Chance of a century coming up for Judd in this fourth frame. How quickly the mood music can change.

TRUMP 1-2 WILSON (53-17)

Judd just steadying the ship at exactly the right time. Struggled for the first two frames, but Trump will be happy to get out at 2-2 when he heads for a cuppa at the mid-sesh.

TRUMP 1-2 WILSON (25-17)

This match yet to truly catch fire as Wilson butchers another shot with the rest. Tried to power in yellow, but well off the potting angle. That should boost Judd's self-belief as he rattles the white in by potting a blue. In and out of baulk via three cushions to land on a red, and suddenly Judd is looking to score.

TRUMP 0-2 WILSON (72-20)

Trump lays a telling snooker on the final red behind black. Wilson hits the red, but sees white disappear. And that closes the door on an error-strewn frame. A few more pots from Judd to finalise the deal. Both men with chances in the frame, but Judd takes it. Wilson leads 2-1.

TRUMP 0-2 WILSON (40-20)

Error by Kyren in trying to release the reds from side cushion, but Judd can't punish as red to left middle comes back out. Wilson then misses tricky blue with the rest. Not a vintage frame in progress.

TRUMP 0-2 WILSON (36-19)

Another red disappears with a fine pot by Kyren on a red off a side cushion, but blue, pink and black are all tied up. Just the safety to follow.

TRUMP 0-2 WILSON (36-18)

Four misses attempting to escape from a snooker from Wilson off three cushions. Gets there the third time, but 21 foul points added to the Trump total.

TRUMP 0-2 WILSON (21-18)

Pink and black out of commission, so this frame isn't going to slip quietly into the night. Four reds on a side rail.

TRUMP 0-2 WILSON (14-17)

Chance for Judd to make some progress, but he misses the black careering into the reds at pace. That is a bad miss. Worse still, those reds have opened up nicely. But Wilson then rattles jaws by missing a pink.

TRUMP 0-2 WILSON (5-10)

Both men with chances early in the third frame before Trump ends his 26-minute wait to pot a ball after a Wilson miss. But can't get on black from the red. Just the safety shot to follow.

'Richly rewarded' - Trump gets out of sticky spot by potting two reds against Wilson

Video credit: TNT Sports

TRUMP 0-1 WILSON (0-83)

Pink back on the spot early on from Kyren, and he has done the damage with reds and pinks. World champion in stroke here, and looking to get his foot down. 62 from Wilson that time. He leads 2-0 in this semi-final.

TRUMP 0-1 WILSON (0-27)

Another dreadful safety shot by Trump to leave the white at the scoring end of the table. Pink and black are off their spots. Wilson needs to work out this break early on, but should pot a few balls here.

TRUMP 0-1 WILSON (0-21)

Wilson first to the punch in the second frame of the day. This time black is in the open. Which should help his situation. Decent pot on a mid-range red, but not on the black. So just the safety to follow off the yellow.

TRUMP 0-0 WILSON (43-67)

In goes the blue and pink to seal the deal for Wilson. He leads 1-0 in race to six.

TRUMP 0-0 WILSON (43-52)

Chance then for Kyren to edge a tough first frame after a poor safety shot by Judd. Black to yellow is key shot after slotting final red. And that is inch perfect. Some fine positional shots. Looks like a 1-0 lead for the world champion is incoming.

TRUMP 0-0 WILSON (43-33)

Can't flick a red off the side rail potting black, but a solid enough safety shot to follow the run of 43.

TRUMP 0-0 WILSON (30-33)

Well, Judd forcing his way in by holing two reds as one red drops in off another red. Super shot. Not an easy table to clear here, but every chance to move ahead in the frame. Lifts one red off a top cushion in slotting black with three reds left up.

TRUMP 0-0 WILSON (0-33)

Pink and black are tied up as the break ends at 33 from Wilson. Not the greatest safety shot from Kyren as white is left in the middle of the table, but no pots left on.

TRUMP 0-0 WILSON (0-22)

Wilson cracks open the reds off the blue, but doesn't land on one. Chance of a recovery pot on a red to green bag. Which Wilson nails with some relish. Brilliant pot. Will do his confidence no harm at all.

TRUMP 0-0 WILSON (0-5)

So a bit of a delay in the start of this match after Judd must have spotted something on the cue ball. Or a dent in the white. Needs a new white before we get the action moving as Wilson cuts in a red to left middle from a poor Trump safety. First poke at reds goes to Kyren.

WILSON ENDS HOLT DREAM

Kyren Wilson fell short of a 147 to wrap up the match in a 6-3 last-eight victory over Michael Holt, but will be solely focused on the next task at hand as he faces Judd Trump in the UK Championship semi-finals. The world champion exuded quality throughout in York, charging ahead with a 3-0 lead, before the world No. 98 momentarily threatened an unlikely comeback. Read more here

Wilson completes brilliant win over Holt despite falling short on 147 attempt

Video credit: TNT Sports

WELCOME TO SEMI-FINAL SATURDAY

Should be two thrilling contests coming up at the UK Championship with the first joust of the day seeing world No. 1 Judd Trump and world champion Kyren Wilson collide at the back of 1pm before Barry Hawkins and 2022 UK winner Mark Allen doing battle from 7pm. Fascinating to see how these games will unfold with all four players finding some serious form in the quarter-finals.

Trump 12-10 ahead on the career head-to-heads, but Wilson has won their previous two meetings this season with victories in the Northern Ireland Open final (9-3) and the final of the Xi'an Grand Prix (10-8). Perhaps Trump will have a point to prove today.