Snooker TICs all the boxes

World Snooker officials today raised hopes that the Maplin UK Championships would be returning to Shropshire, declaring: "Telford ticks all our boxes."

The 2008 tournament came to a conclusion at close to 12.30am yesterday, with former world champion Shaun Murphy defeating Marco Fu 10-9 in an epic final.

It was the second year the event has been staged at Telford International Centre, and there were certainly no shortage of talking points.

From allegations of match fixing in the first round clash between Stephen Maguire and Jamie Burnett to the early departure of defending champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, the dramas came thick and fast.

"It was quite an eventful week but snooker was the winner in the end," said World Snooker spokesman Ivan Hirschowitz.

"It was a good final and really exciting.

"It went on quite a while but just about everyone stayed there right until the end.

"As Shaun said afterwards, there was a really good atmosphere at the semis and final.

"Overall, the week was well attended and pretty much on a par with last year, which was great.

"We never announce the calendar until the end of the season, but Telford continues to tick all our boxes and we're all very happy with how things have gone."

By Chris Hudson