Mark Allen’s campaign may have ended in disappointment but the Northern Irishman left an indelible mark on April 26 by firing the third maximum break of the tournament. Trailing Chris Wakelin 10-2, Allen produced a flawless sequence that sent the Crucible crowd into raptures and secured a 40000 pound bonus for himself alongside a life changing 25000 pound payout for spectator Brian Nicholls. The prize formed part of a bookmaker promotion guaranteeing a fan jackpot for any televised 147.
Allen’s 6th career maximum was the first in the main draw since Mark Selby’s effort 2 years earlier and made him the 11th cueist to complete perfection inside snooker’s most famous arena. The atmosphere was electric as Allen, aware of his daunting deficit, opted for outright attack to revive both his spirits and those of the audience. His crisp potting never wavered, the black thudding into the pocket with a decisive thump before he raised both arms in delight.
For Nicholls, a 75 year old attending his first Crucible session, the windfall came with comic timing. He was following Luca Brecel on an adjacent table when Allen’s roar alerted him to events he had missed. Stewards quickly ushered the bemused pensioner to centre stage where he received a ceremonial cheque and a handshake from Allen, prompting warm applause from every corner of the theatre.
Although Allen narrowed the score to 10-4 with a subsequent century he could not stop Wakelin’s march. The Antrim man admitted later that the maximum was “bittersweet” yet insisted such moments justify the risk of aggressive shot choices even when a match appears lost.
Allen, who has now completed maximums at each of the three Triple Crown majors, says the incentive scheme is “brilliant for fans and players alike” and called on governing bodies to expand similar fan engagement initiatives.
The maximum adds another glittering page to Allen’s resume and ensured his early exit still generated one of the championship’s headline moments.
