**Snooker Mayhem at the Crucible: Zhao Xintong’s Ferocious Shot Leaves Table – and Referee – in Chaos**
The World Snooker Championship semi-final at Sheffield’s iconic Crucible Theatre delivered a bout of unexpected chaos and laughter on Thursday, as Chinese star Zhao Xintong ended a frame in truly explosive fashion against legend Ronnie O’Sullivan. What unfolded next left BBC commentators and fans both on-site and watching at home in fits of laughter, as the aftermath of a powerful shot caused unprecedented scenes for a high-stakes match.
The drama took place in the eighth frame, with Zhao chasing the black ball that would not only secure him the frame but also pull the scores level at 4-4 at the conclusion of the first session. With just one ball needed to clinch the frame, the usually unflappable BBC veteran commentator Dennis Taylor quietly remarked, “Just the black [needed], so no heroics here.” However, Zhao had other ideas, choosing not only to pot the black but to do so with such force as to send shockwaves around the famous Crucible arena.
Zhao’s fierce strike powered the black into the corner pocket with uncharacteristic vigour, causing the ball runner mechanism—the device designed to capture and transport potted balls underneath the table—to dramatically detach and spill its contents. Balls potted over the course of the frame suddenly erupted onto the arena floor, as the entire mechanism threatened to come apart before the eyes of the enthralled audience.
In an instant, the match descended into unexpected chaos. The referee, left aghast by the mechanical mishap, was forced to scramble about the Crucible floor on his hands and knees, hurriedly collecting stray snooker balls. The spectacle left commentator Taylor and those in the crowd helpless with laughter, as composure dissolved amidst the absurdity of the situation. All the while, Zhao appeared unfazed, a slight grin betraying his amusement at the unfolding slapstick scene.
Despite the ongoing mayhem, snooker’s spirit of professionalism prevailed. The referee calmly reassured Zhao to carry on with his break, promising to resolve the issue and return the scattered balls to their rightful places later. Meanwhile, the studio and audience struggled to regain their composure, the bizarre episode offering rare comic relief in a typically tension-laden semi-final.
As play resumed, Zhao carefully lined up his next shot, potting a difficult long yellow. Taylor, keen to retain the light-hearted mood, quipped, “Look at this, with balls all over the Crucible floor! He has to be careful he doesn’t trip on one. If you stood on one of those, you could do yourself an injury!” The irony was clear—snooker, a game known for its measured calm, had briefly turned into something resembling an obstacle course.
The hilarity continued when Zhao, undeterred, proceeded to pot the pink into the now-broken pocket, prompting more laughter from the arena and commentary box alike. Taylor could not resist adding, in a tone mixing disbelief with amusement, “God knows where this could go, it could end up out on the street!”
Eventually, both players and officials brought a sense of order back to proceedings, with the session finally drawing to a close and the scores standing level—a testament to the focus of both competitors amid the farcical interlude. The crowd showed their appreciation for such unscripted entertainment with a standing ovation, recognising both the unique drama and sporting excellence on display.
Back in the BBC studio, former world champion John Parrott joined in the fun, exclaiming, “Can we have our ball back please?! They’re everywhere, all over the floor!” Fellow BBC analyst Shaun Murphy also weighed in, jesting that the scattered balls had become “an obstacle course…the only way to make it harder for them!”
As the tournament continues—Zhao and O’Sullivan are set to resume their second session on Friday morning—this memorable moment will no doubt be replayed and recounted for years to come. Yet even in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of snooker’s grandest stage, moments like these serve as a reminder of the unpredictable charm of live sport, where, sometimes, the most memorable stories happen by accident.