Crucible return as Peter Lines looks to ‘defend’ his 2017 World Seniors title

Leeds cueman Peter Lines will step out at the Crucible tomorrow aiming to finally ‘defend’ his World Seniors Championship title.
Peter Lines is back in action at the World Seniors Championship in Sheffield this week (Picture:vSimon Cooper/PA Wire)Peter Lines is back in action at the World Seniors Championship in Sheffield this week (Picture:vSimon Cooper/PA Wire)
Peter Lines is back in action at the World Seniors Championship in Sheffield this week (Picture:vSimon Cooper/PA Wire)

The 50-year-old won the trophy in 2017 as an amateur, but when he regained his place on snooker’s main Tour, he was ineligible to return and defend his title in 2018.

But now the rules have been relaxed, and the world No 120 – who lost in the World Championship qualifiers last month – will play former world No 2 Tony Knowles tomorrow evening in Sheffield.

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“I was disappointed not to defend it after 2017, as defending champion I thought they would let me play,” said Lines.

Former favourite Jimmy White is also in action at the Crucible this week (Picture: Allsport UK /Allsport)Former favourite Jimmy White is also in action at the Crucible this week (Picture: Allsport UK /Allsport)
Former favourite Jimmy White is also in action at the Crucible this week (Picture: Allsport UK /Allsport)

“The only reason it has changed, I believe, this year is because they haven’t been able to play all their qualifiers.

“They have invited back players who have won it before, because they had spaces to fill.

“I am really looking forward to it. Not just because it’s at the Crucible, but because I loved playing in it and being Seniors world champion. It was a great event to win.

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“I know the standard isn’t as great as the main Tour, but it still meant a lot to win it. It was a real thrill to have won it.”

Lines actually played in the 1998 World Championship at the Crucible, losing to John Parrott 10-4 in the first round.

He will be joined in the 16-player event, on the same table which Ronnie O’Sullivan won his sixth world title on Sunday, by Bradford duo Wayne Cooper and Joe Johnson – who famously won the World Championship, beating Steve Davis in 1986.

Johnson opens up tonight against six-times Crucible finalist and defending Seniors champion Jimmy White, while Cooper plays Gary Filtness tomorrow afternoon.

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Other former world champions competing for the Seniors version include Ken Doherty, Dennis Taylor and Stephen Hendry, whose seven world titles are a Crucible record.

“I am really buzzing,” said Lines.

“I’m just a bit gutted that my wife Sarah can’t come and see me play, she has never seen me play at the Crucible.”

“I am really going to try and do my best to win it again, I have been practicing hard.

“I don’t mind admitting, I have been practicing like mad, because I really want to try and win it. If I don’t, it will not be through lack of effort.

“I have never played Tony, so I am looking forward to it.”

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