Williams - won thrilling final (Allsport).

WILLIAMS WINS A THRILLER

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Mark Williams moves into a new home in an upmarket Cardiff suburb this week and the PowerHouse UK Championship trophy will certainly have pride of place among the Christmas decorations.

The emotional Welshman will enjoy the festive period after his epic 10-9 victory over Irish stablemate Ken Doherty at York's Barbican Centre on Sunday night.

It was his first title in Britain for 26 months and extends his lead at the head of the provisional world rankings.

But it was touch and go before Williams got his hands on a £84,500 winner's cheque to go top of the season's money list as Doherty attempted to make it third time lucky in a UK final.

When the Dubliner levelled the match at 9-9 after trailing 9-7 it seemed he would avoid an unwanted hat-trick of defeats.

It got even better for Doherty as he built up a 28-9 lead. Instead, a couple of shots later, Doherty played a poor safety shot and watched in horror as the cue ball dropped into a baulk pocket.

That was the opening Williams needed and he produced a break of 70 - his sixth half century of a near five-hour contest - to put the result beyond doubt.

It was hardly surprising then he punched the air in delight when he potted a red that left Doherty requiring snookers.

His left hook would have done WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe proud. Indeed, his countryman sent him a good luck message just before the final.

"It's a great sporting double," beamed the 27-year-old world number two after claiming the UK crown for the first time since beating Matthew Stevens 10-8 in 1999.

But Williams owes a debt of gratitude to another Welsh sporting great, Terry Griffiths.

The Llanelli legend, nicknamed 'Gramps' by his compatriot, has been passing on his vast knowledge for the last couple of months.

It seems to have done the trick as Williams reached the semi-finals of the British Open last month and has now captured snooker's second most prestigious ranking event.

"He has helped me on the mental side of the match," said Williams who has now increased his lead at the head of the provisional world rankings.

"If it wasn't for Terry I probably wouldn't have won that match. It's nice to know that under extreme pressure I'm still capable of knocking in a match-winning break like I did in that last frame.

"I don't normally show that kind of emotion but this wins means so much to me after all this time."

Doherty had to settle for a £43,000 consolation prize but not the title to mark the first anniversary of his marriage to Sarah Prasad later this month.

He trailed 5-4 after the first session but hit back to lead 6-5. A break of 119 from Williams was the highest of the match and brought the players level at 6-6.

Williams then nicked a vital frame to go 7-6 up after a couple of poor shots on the final blue and pink by Doherty.

And despite tying the scores at 7-7, Doherty did not pot a ball in the next two frames as Williams drew closer to victory.

His victory celebrations proved premature as the 33-year-old Dubliner bravely took a double of his own to ensure the closest final since 1996.

However, it was not to be and Williams held his nerve to get his hands on a long overdue piece of silverware.

"I had a chance and didn't take it," grumbled Doherty. "I couldn't believe it when the white dropped in. It was a pulsating final, it swung to and fro - there was a lot of pressure and tension.

"It was good to play in but I'm really disappointed. The big frame was the 13th to go 7-6 but there were a lot of frames like that. It was a really close match.

"It's nice to get back on a winning streak but the big thing is to win the trophy, Mark has gone home with it but I haven't.

"This tournament has always been my nemesis."

Stephen Lee collected another windfall by claiming a £7,500 high break prize for the third time in four tournaments this season.

His 137 in round two against eventual semi-finalist Drew Henry remained unbeaten for a week. It followed on from his 139 at the Regal Masters in Glasgow and a 141 at the LG Cup in Preston.