Swail’s Crucible agony

SNOOKER pals: Michael Wild (right) and Joe Swail

SNOOKER: TARA Leisure-based Joe Swail has failed narrowly in his bid to earn a place in the World Championship finals, which get under way at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on Saturday.

Swail, twice a world semi-finalist, practices at the Shaw club with Moorside’s Michael Wild.

He won his first qualifying round against Alex Davies 10-7, then beat Anthony Hamilton by the same score, only to lose 10-8 to China’s Li Yan, after leading 6-3.

Yan plays fellow countryman Xiao Guodong for a place in Sheffield.



MEANWHILE Moorside’s Michael Wild will play Failsworth’s Dean Sheridan in the final of the 2014 Manchester Snooker Open.

It will be a best of nine frames showdown at the Moor Club, Heaton Moor, Stockport on April 23.

Wild received a bye in his semi-final when opponent Craig Steadman cried off with jet lag after returning from the China Open.