World Snooker Championship 2018 - the final

Day 16 of 17 in the long-running competition that is the World Snooker final - held since 1977 at the Crucible theatre in Sheffield.

This year's finalists are four-time winner John Higgins and two-time winner Mark Williams.  Whoever wins it will be the longest gap for a player since their first win.

 The lady on top of the trophy, captured against the ceiling lights of the Crucible theatre.

 A view from the photographer's booth as the match gets underway.

 Referee Brendan Moore places the trophy at the end of the table at the start of the match, ready for...

 ...the traditional handshake shot between John Higgins and Mark Williams.

 Mark Williams at the table

John Higgins plays down the table

Action from Day 2 of the 2017 Betfred World Snooker Championships

Ronnie O'Sullivan won through to the second round of the Snooker World Championship after a stiff test from Crucible debutant Gary Wilson.

Having been 5-1 up in the first session, Wilson won 3 in a row to leave it 5-4 overnight.

 Gary Wilson places the cue ball to break off at the start of the 10th frame

 Referee Brendan Moore asks for an unruly member of the crowd to leave the arena

 Re-spots the white after a foul...

 ...and asks Hawkeye to confirm the placement

 The joy of Ronnie - potting a pink across the table - right handed...

 ...then taking the next red into the bottom pocket using his left hand

Ronnie gets the cue extension out which is always a good shot - until you get blocked by a cameraman.  Happens in every sport - you get used to it as a sports photographer

O'Sullivan made 124, 83 and 74 to go 9-5 ahead, Wilson hitting back with 103 before losing out 10-7 in the end.

End of the second round at the 2016 World Snooker Championships

A long night at the Crucible to end the second round of the 2016 World Snooker Championships as five time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan came from 12-9 down against Barry Hawkins.  He hit breaks of 124, 88 and 63 to level the match.  A drawn out game of cat-and-mouse ensured in the deciding 25th frame where a mistake to put the white ball in let Barry Hawkins who then proceeded to wrap up the frame 70-15 with a break of 56.

 Barry Hawkins breaks off.

 Ronnie O'Sullivan rolls the white down the table.

 Referee Brendan Moore.

 Barry Hawkins, Ronnie O'Sullivan and Brendan Moore checking the table.

 Ronnie O'Sullivan and Barry Hawkins check what's been left on.

 Ronnie O'Sullivan switches to his left hand to play over the reds.

Unusually for a match featuring Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins fiinshed earlier on the other table, so the central divide was lifted and the game was played to a finish in front of the whole arena.

 US Masters winner Danny Willett was in the press seats for the match.

 Barry Hawkins salutes the crowd.

 Ronnie O'Sullivan in the press conference after the match.

Barry Hawkins in the press conference after the match.

Action from Day Nine of the World Snooker Championships

Some shots of the action from Day Nine of the 2016 World Snooker Championships.

Paul Hunter is remembered on the middle Sunday of the Championships with a minute's applause.

 Referee Brendan Moore ready to oversee O'Sullivan vs Hawkins.

 Barry Hawkins breaks off in the 9th frame with the scores 5-3 in his favour.

 Ronnie O'Sullivan with a pot in the middle of the table.

 Ronnie O'Sullivan, Barry Hawkins and Brendan Moore watch the cue ball roll back to baulk.

 Ricky Walden plays down the table in his match against John Higgins.

 John Higgins making full use of the rest.