Action from Day 8 of the 2017 Betfred Snooker World Championship

It's the middle Saturday, nearly half-way in the tournament and two players are already through to the Quarter Finals at the Crucible, Sheffield with others looking to join them.

After their first session, Ding Junhui was 9-7 up against Liang Wenbo.  Ding broke at the start of the 17th frame.

 There was some early excitement over a re-spotted white following a foul.

Despite a Ding fightback, Liang won through 23-110 to make it 9-8 ni frames.

 On Table 2, Rory McLeod was taking on Stephen Maguire.

Action from Day 4 of the Betfred Snooker World Championship 2017

Another busy day at the Crucible...different for me as I was back at the day job and also needing to cover the evening session of the UK Swimming Championships at Ponds Forge....

Last year's runner-up Ding Junhui overcame Crucible debutant Zhou Yuelong 10-5

 Zhou Yuelong in the press conference after the match

  Ding Junhui in the press conference after the match

Judd Trump who started his match against Rory McLeod by winning the first four frames, seen here playing in the eigth frame which then tied the match at 4-4.

 Referee Olivier Marteel

On table 1, Liang Wenbo ran out 10-7 winner against Stuart Carrington

The Top 16 Snooker players gather at the Crucible

In a scene reminisent of last year, the day before the 2017 Betfred Snooker World Championship gets underway, the Top 16 players gathered for a photo call before the press conference that started the tournament.

Gathered together were: Mark Selby, Ryan Day, Neil Robertson, Marco Fu, Shaun Murphy, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Liang Wenbo, Ding Junhui, Stuart Bingham, Kyren Wilson, Mark Allen, John Higgins, Barry Hawkins, Ali Carter, Anthony McGill, Judd Trump