Ebdon captures first UK title

Peter Ebdon became only the ninth player to have won the world and UK titles by beating Stephen Hendry in the UK Championship final in York on Sunday.

The 2002 world champion joins the elite group to have captured snooker's two major ranking titles which includes Steve Davis, Terry Griffiths, Alex Higgins, Hendry, John Parrott, Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams.

A packed house at the Barbican Centre rose to salute the Dubai-based potter as he came from 3-1 down to score a 10-6 victory over Hendry. The 36-year-old collected a cheque for £77,000 and lifted the UK trophy for the first time in his 15-year career. He also gained revenge on Hendry for a 10-3 defeat in the final of this event in 1995.

It was Ebdon's seventh ranking title and his first since the 2004 Irish Masters. He moves up to fourth in the latest rankings.

"Halfway through this tournament I realised I wanted to win this more than anything I've won in my life, I put all my focus and determination into winning this title," said Ebdon who is the first player to have passed his 30th birthday to win this ranking event since Jimmy White in 1992.

"This means so much to me, especially to join that select group of players."

The quality of the final did not live up to expectations as Ebdon had produced perhaps the best snooker of his career earlier in the week with Hendry also close to peak form.

"The final was a little disappointing as we had both played so well all week. There was a lot of pressure out there," Ebdon admitted.

Despite defeat, Hendry remained upbeat about his game.

"I'm delighted with my snooker, it's been 100 per cent better this season," he said.

"I've still got four ranking tourna-ments plus the Masters to go, my game can only get better and I'm looking forward to the New Year."