Rocket's out for a show

Tickets are still available to watch snooker's great entertainer Ronnie O'Sullivan begin his bid for Pukka Pies UK Championship glory in Shropshire.

O'Sullivan is in action in his first round match at Telford's International Centre on Monday, December 7, with all-day tickets costing just £16.

World No 1 O'Sullivan is after his fifth UK title, having last won the event in Telford two years ago.

Then he thrilled crowds with an amazing 147 maximum break in the deciding frame of his semi-final against Mark Selby, before scoring an emphatic 10-2 victory over Stephen Maguire in the final.

"Snooker is about showtime to me, it's all about the big matches," said O'Sullivan.

"I think I give a lot to people with the way I play, I bring excitement.

"I think I'm unique in the way I attack the game with speed."

O'Sullivan could face a first round clash with Shropshire's top cueman Adrian Gunnell - but only if the local favourite can make it through two qualifying rounds first in Prestatyn.

Gunnell was taking on Thailand's Atthasit Mahitthi today, with victory earning him a crack at former world No 4 Matthew Stevens on Monday for the right to get to Telford.