There was a lighter moment during Sunday afternoon’s Scottish Open final when Gary Wilson was suspended at the break due to a fly and the umpire intervened in heroic fashion.
It was in the early stages of a very impressive century break when Wilson paused in the sixth frame, a fly interrupting his concentration.
Without a moment’s hesitation, referee Marcel Eckard quickly intervened and caught the fly in a slick move to prevent the long delay from stopping play in the tournament’s showpiece match.
A roar of approval erupted from fans inside the Meadowbank Sports Center in Edinburgh as the official briefly took center stage and smiled as he soaked up the applause.
„He didn’t pay!” taunted Wilson, the fans and his opponent Noppon Saengham laughed, while E buzzed around the table, causing a standoff.
Eurosport commentator Dave Hendon confirmed.
„Wow, what a catch from Marcel Eckhart!” He exclaimed as the officer demonstrated his hand-eye skills under pressure, much to the delight of the crowd.
„He didn’t expect that to be on his list of duties when he put on the white gloves this morning, but here we go.”
Former world champion Joe Johnson added: „What a catch, yeah!”
The interruption didn’t spoil the rampant Wilson’s rhythm as he won the frame with a magnificent break of 105.
It was the first century break of the match and it took him to a 5-1 lead as his opponent struggled to gain a foothold in the match.
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„Całkowity introwertyk. Nieprzejednany specjalista od sieci. Przyjazny fanatyk bekonu. Student ekstremalnych. Miłośnik piwa. Organizator.”