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Barry Hawkins claims a place in round two of the World Snooker Championship with win over Stephen Maguire

Barry Hawkins claimed his first World Snooker Championship victory at the Crucible on Monday night.

Dartford snooker player Barry Hawkins
Dartford snooker player Barry Hawkins

After five successive first round exits the Ditton cueman clinched a round two place with a narrow victory over world number seven Stephen Maguire.

With the match tied at 9-9 Hawkins won the final frame with a 92 break.

"I feel as if I’ve won the World Championship and I’m excited to be in the next round," said Hawkins (pictured).

He went into Monday night’s second session with a 6-3 lead, having got off to an impressive start in the morning, with wins from the first four frames.

A mistake on a relatively simple black led to him losing the opening frame when play resumed at Sheffield’s historic snooker venue.

Hawkins fought back with wins from the next two frames before Maguire staged his own fight-back, wiping out the Kent man’s 8-4 lead and squaring the match at 8-8.

The lead was regained by Hawkins with a 62 break but the match went to a final frame decider after Maguire clinched the 18th.

Hawkins left his best until last with a match-winning 92 to seal the frame and the match, winning 10-9 and booking his passage into the next round.

"I’ve been on the wrong end of a couple of 10-9s here but I tried to stay calm and positive," he said.

"To win the last frame in one visit gives me a lot of self belief."

Hawkins must now wait for the outcome of the Mark Allen versus Matthew Stevens match to see who he faces in the next round. That match won’t be concluded until Wednesday night.

How far do you think Hawkins can go? Comment below

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