Judd Trump edges Barry Hawkins to secure his second UK Crown

Judd Trump of England defeated his compatriot Barry Hawkins 10-8 after a fierce battle in the World Snooker Tour UK Championship final in York, England, on Sunday, winning the tournament for the second time in his career.

Having led 5-3 before the session, Trump extended his advantage to three frames with breaks of 62 and 32, but then saw an immediate response from Hawkins who claimed two straight frames to cut it to 6-5.

Trump continued to play with solid hands as he clinched three of the following four frames after achieving a crucial break of 133 in the 12th, leading 9-6 in the match.

Then came another sharp rally by Hawkins who contributed breaks of 75 and 82, cutting his deficit to one frame again at 9-8. He came close to forcing decider in the 18th, but missed a red to the left middle.

Trump was left in a number of perilous snookers when Hawkins extracted four foul points. Though Hawkins fought hard for a comeback, but he failed to get the second snooker necessary for him to take the frame. In the end, Trump hit a long-range brown to seal the deal for his 30th ranking event title.

Only John Higgins, Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan have won more ranking events than Trump, who lifted his first UK Championship trophy in 2011.

"It was so close and it looked like it could go 9-9," Trump said. "I was under a lot of pressure and I knew I had to take that chance, because he was playing so well. I slowed myself down and made sure of every single pot. There was no flair at all in that break. I just had to find a way to get the balls in the hole. At two snookers, I felt pretty safe and all of a sudden he was back in it. To pot the brown was such a relief."

"It has been a great week. If someone had said I would get to the final beforehand, I would have taken it," Hawkins said. "Once I was here in the final I wanted to win. I thought it was a great game. I think I missed the boat tonight, I probably should have levelled. I managed to get it together towards the end and felt good."