Stephen Hendry - helped Scotland to victory

NATIONS CUP

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Scotland's dream team of Stephen Hendry, John Higgins and Alan McManus lifted the Coalite Nations Cup at Reading's Hexagon Theatre on Sunday.

In a repeat of their 1996 World Cup triumph, the Tartan trio defeated the Republic of Ireland 6-2 to re-establish themselves as snooker's top potting country.

Beaten by Wales in the 1999 final and not even qualifying from the group stages 12 months ago, it finally all came right for the Scots.

They won four successive frames, including a double singles win for former world champion and world number one John Higgins over Fergal O'Brien and Ken Doherty.

O'Brien and Doherty had reduced the Republic's arrears to only 3-2 by beating Hendry and Higgins in the doubles.

But the first-time Nations Cup finalists, who upset Wales 5-1 in the last four, were no match for the favourites who had crushed Northern Ireland 5-0 in Saturday's second semi-final.

Hendry and McManus remained unbeaten in the singles with two victories apiece while Higgins' only blemish in three outings was against world number 46 Judge.

The win was worth over £15,500 each for the Scottish stars while the Republic shared £19,950.

The high break of £2,500 went to Thailand's Phaitoon Phonbun for his 131 against Malta's Tony Drago in a group game.

In contrast to Scotland's joy at lifting the cup their opponents were bitterly disappointed, especially after a controversial slow-play call against O'Brien in the sixth frame.

The former British Open champion was battling to bring his team level at 3-3 against Higgins when leading referee Alan Chamberlain warned him for slow play.

O'Brien alleged later that Chamberlain told him: "Come on, let's get it finished. Television knocks-off at 5pm."

Irish skipper Doherty was indignant after hearing of the dispute and said: "I wouldn't attribute this defeat to that incident but Alan's choice of words were a disgrace.

"I hadn't realised what he had said and I will be making a written complaint."

O'Brien called the official "tactless" and added: "Considering the importance of the situation I could not believe what he said - but then again, he's never played the game.

"The problem was I had two choices of shot and two ways to play both and that's why I wanted some time to make up my mind."

O'Brien, who had earlier been embroiled in a 58-minute second frame, eventually lost the frame to Higgins' yellow-to-black clearance after 42 minutes.

Scottish skipper Hendry said: "It was an unfortunate thing to happen to say the least. It's never happened to me but I can imagine what it must have felt like.

"Personally it's just great to win a title again because I have not done it for a while. It's also shows the dream team is alive and well."

Higgins added: "It's been a great week and Stephen's contribution today was vital. We've been disappointed in the last two years by our performances but today we responded to the challenge."

The game's governing body, World Snooker, refused to comment on the slow-play incident and are unlikely to do so unless they receive a complaint from Doherty.