A Maximum Moment Amidst Mounting Pressure
Mark Allen produced one of snooker’s greatest feats—a perfect 147 break—at the Crucible on Friday, but still finds himself just one frame from a crushing second-round exit at the 2025 World Snooker Championship. The Northern Irishman trails Chris Wakelin 12-4, with the match set to resume at 19:00 BST for what could be its final session.
How It Happened: A Session of Highs and Lows
Allen began the morning session already in a tough spot, but things quickly worsened as he lost the opening four frames, falling to 10-2. During the interval, the 39-year-old retreated to the practice table. He returned recharged and stunned the Crucible crowd with a sublime 147—the maximum break possible in snooker.
It was a moment of magic that earned him a standing ovation and £45,000 in prize money. The break was Allen’s second 147 of the season and the fifth of his career. Notably, it was the 15th maximum in the main draw stage at the Crucible and the first since Mark Selby’s in the 2023 final.
Historic Achievement at the Crucible
Allen now joins an elite club as only the 11th player to make a 147 at the World Championship’s iconic venue. The break is also the 217th official maximum in professional snooker history.
BBC pundit and seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry was effusive in his praise, saying: “What a performance. Unbelievable. Incredible from Mark Allen. He was 10-2 behind and hadn’t scored for three frames. Then he comes out and makes a 147. Absolutely phenomenal.”
Wakelin Stays Focused and Dominates
Despite Allen’s heroic effort, it was Chris Wakelin who retained full control of the match. The world number 20 held firm and coolly extended his lead to 12-4. Wakelin, who eliminated former world champion Neil Robertson in the first round, now needs just one more frame to reach his first World Championship quarter-final.
Wakelin showed remarkable focus and composure, refusing to be rattled by Allen’s maximum. If he completes the job in the evening session, it will mark one of the biggest victories of his career so far.
Looking Ahead
Allen’s dazzling 147 may go down as one of the highlights of the 2025 tournament, but unless he mounts a historic comeback, it will serve as a bittersweet memory in an otherwise disappointing campaign. The evening session will reveal whether the Northern Irishman can channel the momentum from his perfect frame into an improbable fightback—or whether Wakelin will seal his spot among snooker’s final eight.
Category: Snooker News, World Championship
Tags: Mark Allen, 147 break, Chris Wakelin, World Snooker Championship 2025, Crucible Theatre, snooker news, Stephen Hendry, maximum break, snooker records, Neil Robertson
