Trump goes joint top

Trump: Joint top of the table

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Judd Trump has gone joint top of the Premier League table with Ronnie O'Sullivan after inflicting a 4-2 defeat upon The Rocket in Exeter on Thursday night.

Bonfire Night fireworks were always to be expected in a match between the two and so it proved, with the fluent potting of both players coming as a welcome relief following the evening's first match - a drawn out affair in which Neil Robertson eventually beat Marco Fu by the same scoreline.

A break of 67 from the 20-year-old Bristolian helped him take an early lead - Trump clinching the frame with a table-length swerved red before O'Sullivan levelled after breaks of 49 and 44.

Trump then raced into a 3-1 lead thanks to breaks of 79 in the third and a 50 followed by 30 more in the next.

The finishing line initally appeared something of a struggle for Trump, though, as O'Sullivan overcame a kick in the fifth to leave his opponent needing two snookers.

However, Trump got them both and with a long green from baulk to the bottom right pocket finding its target, he proceeded to clear the table for the win.

Mistakes

Robertson also won 4-2 to keep alive his own hopes in the tournament but he was helped by an opponent who seemed to lack confidence.

The opening two frames were shared but took almost 46 minutes in all, with both players making mistakes under pressure of the shot clock.

Robertson broke down having made a run of 36 in frame three but Fu was unable to overcome a 17-point deficit - his opponent potting the yellow, green and brown he needed for 2-1.

The standard improved somewhat in the fourth, with Fu taking it after rattling in a break of 90 to level but Robertson edged clear once more in the fifth - and in some style.

He made a break of 50 but that placed him only 13 points ahead. Fu himself then went 13 clear with 13 left on the table.

However, Robertson then potted both pink and black to tie and with the black re-spotted, it promptly disappeared once more via a long double - to the Australian's evident delight.

Fu lost the sixth frame dismally. Having been 25 ahead with 27 points on the table, he potted a yellow to leave his opponent needing a snooker - but immediately went in off the green.

Robertson again set up a black ball game, which he took with another double to take the match and move into play-off contention.