Managed to scramble a few quid thanks to the opening draw in last nights Premier League snooker but could have been so much better as got the staking plan the wrong way around, having had twice as much on the Ding highest break bet, which was thwarted at the last gasp.
Have to say it was very disappointing fare from the Chinese and his opponent John Higgins for the most part, neither player getting into any kind of rhythm and the Scot having chances in each of the first three frames before letting them slip away.
At this stage the draw looked unlikely and Ding's 76 clearance always looked a bit shy of the requisite top break requirement too.
As it happened John clawed back to 3-3 but in winning the last frame, managed to knock in a 78 to agonisingly overhaul the previous best contribution and limit my winnings drastically in the process.
Its a strange feeling willing your man on to win the frame yet not wanting him to exceed a certain total in the break either. I think I will be trimming my stakes on the top break markets in the future, originally I seemed to have a good strike rate in this sphere, but it has become more patchy lately and it certainly curtailed my profits in the last World Championship.
More to the point, Ding's form is very worrying, he has slumped to no 13 provisionally and despite winning the non ranking Jiangsu Classic in his hometown in the summer, his performances have become increasingly disjointed, with his tactical play especially showing gaping holes at times.
There was one particular frame last night where, with a decent lead, all he had to do was put a colour safe in a bog standard strategical move, but instead went for an ill conceived long pot and he threw it away in the process.
Joe Perry surpassed all expectations in the other match to defeat a below par Ronnie O Sullivan 4-2 and you have to admire how "The Gentleman" has come on leaps and bounds at this advanced stage of his career over the last twelve months. In fact this time last year I was advocating taking him on so just shows what I know about it all lol.
Have subscribed to the pay per view for the non ranking Belgian Open this weekend at Cue Sport TV, not sure how much I will watch of it but was only £8 and will probably catch the later stages, a bit worrying that it apparently started early this morning though and still havent got any pictures through, unless I'm pressing the wrong buttons as per usual!!
Elsewhere, Lancashire fought their way back into the match yesterday against my picks Kent, but will be hoping the visitors can polish them off quickly this morning and then their second innings target will hopefully be within their reach, maybe the conditions are improving out in the middle with a bit of sun poking through in the last couple of days.
My sole aussie rules AFL outright bet the Geelong Cats are in semi final action as I speak, I got the best priced 5/2 for a decent amount, and they are currently trading well odds on having only lost one match all season but of course in the shoot outs of the play offs that doesn't always count for much.
Their opponents today are the Western Bulldogs who showed some good early season form but have tailed off in the latter part of the season though did show some signs of a return to form last week, hopefully not enough to worry my picks though.
On paper Hawthorn Hawks look the biggest threat, they play St Kilda Saints tomorrow in the other semi final.
Had been thinking of putting a bit more faith in the Rams this weekend but having seen that opponents Cardiff are unbeaten with a mean defence, might give it a miss, though havent checked the odds as yet, looks like being a low scoring match looking into the statistics.
Good luck this weekend,
Rick
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