Lawler avoids giant-killing

Snooker

Snooker

Rod Lawler won a dramatic 35-minute deciding frame to take his place in today's Sweater Shop International Open final at the expense of the giant-killer Nick Pearce.

Not a ball was potted for 17 minutes before the world No 40 began his final push towards an eventual 6-5 success in a match lasting 4hr 33min.

He fashioned runs of 32 and 25 against Pearce before the former model from Gloucester eventually conceded, needing a handful of snookers.

Lawler, who eliminated Stephen Hendry in the last 32, looked as if he would be the victim of an upset this time, as he trailed 4-2 and 5-3. Pearce, the world No 204 and a 500-1 outsider before the tournament began, began to show signs of nerves for the first time when in sight of victory and finally gave way as Lawler stepped up the pressure.