Stephen Maguire defends table-punching gesture at World Snooker Championship amid rivalry that started 20 YEARS AGO

PASSIONATE Stephen Maguire justified his table-punching celebration as he knocked out chalkgate foe Shaun Murphy.

The Scotsman, 43, wrapped his knuckles on the table and then punched the air as he took a key 10-6 lead after the second session on Saturday.

Stephen Maguire says emotion took over when he secured victory

Jubiliant Maguire insisted his gesture was ‘not planned

The former UK Champion cut a more sedate, contained figure as he progressed 13-9 on Sunday against No. 8 seed Murphy, compiling a 127 in the match-winning frame.

The pair have a long history and in the build-up to this second-round tie, a unresolved incident from 20 years ago was brought up.

Maguire was docked a frame after forgetting his chalk and causing a delay to the start of their 2004 Grand Prix encounter.

It is alleged that Murphy – which he denies – had asked the referee to intervene and apply the rules because the Glaswegian was not ready to play on time.

Maguire said: “It’s a good win. It was satisfying to finish it off with a first century of the match.

“I was starting to get geared up for his comeback and a close finish. But once I got my chance, I finished it off pretty well.

“It was huge to lead overnight. I’d resigned myself to be only 9-7 up. So, to have a four-frame lead was huge.

“There’s a lot of pressure out there. The crowd get involved. They are that close to you. You end up getting involved with them when you don’t want to.

GettyShaun Murphy reflects on hisexit to long-time foe Maguire[/caption]

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“A wee bit of emotion came out. And a big bit of emotion came out.

“Don’t get used to it. It won’t be happening again.

“If it didn’t mean anything to me, there would be no emotion like that. I never planned it or anything like that.

“That’s what every player does when they go to the dressing room.

“They go nuts. But they hold it in when they are out in the arena.

“That was one of those times when I let it slip a little bit.”

Maguire will now take on David Gilbert in the quarter-finals over the best of 25 frames with one qualifier guaranteed a spot in the semi-finals later this week.

The world No.28 has been in the wilderness over the past few years, a surprise really given his talent and stature, but he does have a habit of turning it on at the end of a season.

This is fourth quarter-final appearance at the Crucible in eight years.

Maguire, who has banked a minimum of £50,000, said: “It’s not been a great 15 years – let’s be honest.

“Each season is getting faster and faster and faster. It’s disappearing quickly now.

“Results like this and being in the quarter-finals of the worlds again, I have to pat myself on the back and enjoy it.

“I don’t know if I am world-class but I am trying hard to let the other guy beat me.

“Rather than me beat myself, which I have done through my career. Try to stand up to them. If they beat me, then shake their hand and say well done.

“Dave’s playing well and back to his best. He will probably go in as favourite on form. I will put up a fight.”

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