Wasp causes Masters carnage leaving Williams on edge before referee swats it

11 January 2023 , 10:46

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Mark Williams performs his best dance routine at Alexandra Palace (Image: @WeAreWST/Twitter)

Mark Williams eased past David Gilbert to reach the Masters quarter-final but only after the match descended into utter chaos.

Two-time champion Williams, 47, was leading 5-2 at Alexandra Palace when a wasp made its way down to the table and caused carnage by trying to attack him.

Much to the humour of the crowd, the frantic Welshman ducked and dived around the table in a bid to avoid the insect in his very own slapstick comedy routine.

There was even a cry of "it's behind you" from referee Marcel Eckardt before the wasp took a perch on the bottom of Williams' waistcoat, very close to his nether regions.

The Eurosport commentary team were understandably in hysterics with Philip Studd warning Williams: "You definitely don't want to be stung there!"

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"How is he meant to concentrate? It is such a crucial situation in the match but he has other things to think about," commentator Dominic Dale added.

More hilarious dodging followed as the snooker star was likened to John Travolta in Dirty Dancing before the wasp turned its attention to the camera crew.

Williams tries his best to avoid the insect (@WeAreWST/Twitter)

The referee swats the wasp on the back of the cameraman (@WeAreWST/Twitter)

After more swarming, referee Eckardt took matters into his own hands and began swatting the insect while on the back of one cameraman.

The German official managed to get rid as Dale then quipped: "He doesn't like anyone. I thought Pantomime season was over. Where is David Attenborough when you need him?"

After a brief pause, Williams returned to table to applause from the crowd - but only after one final thorough search to check the wasp wasn't near him.

Fortunately for the Welshman, the incident didn't knock him off his stride too much as he won the frame and progressed to the last eight of the competition.

Next up is former world No.1 Ronnie O'Sullivan and Williams admitted: "I'm enjoying every minute of it. I don't know how many more times I'll be back so when I am back with all these fans it is special.

"It'll be amazing, there'll be two and a half thousand in here and I'll probably have three people in the corner wanting me to win but that's how it is when you play Ronnie."

Liam Prenderville