James Cahill 4-2 Gerard Greene - Cahill's initial break came to an end as he wobbled the final red leading by 34 with 35 left. He'd already played an exceptional recovery shot on the black previously to come all around the table and finish nicely on the penultimate red. The red was not quite as close to the pocket as it looked because Greene missed, but did not leave it on. Some good tactical play from Greene followed but he was unable to pounce when Cahill left the red from distance and Cahill then potted it from long range instead to complete victory. A pretty good performance all around from Cahill. He was aggressive and did not back down or go into his shell at any point. His long potting was good all morning and probably the best asset of his game today. A well deserved win for the young man.
An opening has come now for Cahill as he looks to get this match won without the need for a decider. There are plenty of open reds to play for with all colours in play so this is a magnificent chance. He may need the red on the left side cushion but the rest of the reds should be negotiated comfortably.
Frame 6 - A sloppy safety from Cahill gave Greene an early opening in this sixth frame which the Northern Irishman has to win, but his failure to break the reds open brings the break to an early end. An unfortunate safety though from Cahill to pot the black and cover all the reds means Greene is back in with a free ball. He has another go at breaking the bunch, making contact this time but he finishes on nothing and plays safe.
Frame Cahill - Greene misses the colour after the free ball black, but unfortunately for him he gets position on the final red. Cahill pots it and with the colours out in the open he clears to take a vital frame and move ahead now at 3-2.
Cahill gets the next chance on the final four reds after another good long red. His play from distance today has been really good so far. He only adds 9 though before missing a black trying to go around the houses for the next red. Nothing left though and still nothing in the frame with two reds remaining. Another good long pot on the penultimate red keeps him in control of the frame just, but he snookers himself on the final red. He fouls and leaves a free ball with the black on for Greene.
Frame 5 - After an early missed green from Cahill, Greene was left nicely in but only made 31 from it before losing position on a color and having to play safe. Now though, Cahill is back in after a stunning long red, though looked to have just missed in the middle only to fluke the red. A couple of safe reds need developing though if he wins the frame at this visit.
Frame Cahill - After bringing the reds on the bottom cushion into play Cahill looked comfortable in adding a further break of 42 which was enough to leave Greene needing multiple snookers which he would not obtain. Back to all square here on table 8 at 2-2.
Cahill will have been annoyed to lose pink ball position as early in his initial break as 20, but a miss from Greene in the middle soon after has allowed Cahill back in, though with reds nearer the bottom cushion this opening needs a bit more work.
Frame 4 - Greene opens the reds this time with an aggressive safety. Every frame so far has been similar in that sense with the reds spread well from the safety exchanges. Cahill is in first this time after a long red and he will hope to benefit from Greene's aggressive play. A lovely opening for him here.
Frame Greene - Well Greene wasted no time there. Speeding round the table which just shows how comfortable he is looking this morning and he has wrapped that frame up in under ten minutes. A very nice run of 71, just missing the last red for the chance of a century but nevertheless it's 2-1 to Greene.
Frame 3 - After a couple of early chances each, Cahill looks to fluke a red from an aggressive safety unless he spotted some sort of plant that I did not. He does not land nicely on a color though but is forced into the brown in the middle by two other reds that are over the left corner. He misses and now Greene is quickly heading to the winning line in this frame.
Frame Greene - Greene did not kill the frame in one visit missing a red on the stretch and leaving a half chance for Cahill. He though missed the green with the rest and allowed Greene back to add a further 13 to his earlier run of 44 and level this match at 1-1.
Frame 2 - An aggressive safety from Cahill could come back to haunt him here. He opens the pack up wide but leaves a red on for Greene who then lays a snooker. Cahill's hit and hope then leaves a golden chance for Greene though the black being on the side cushion makes this slightly more awkward than Cahill's in frame one.
Frame Cahill - Once that chance came you never expected Cahill to miss and in all he looked comfortable. He might be a little disappointed not to make more than 51 but Greene's attempt to play on for a snooker lasted merely one shot before Cahill potted a further red. A solid start for Cahill and he leads 1-0.
Frame 1 - After an early chance that amounted to just 11 before he lost position, Cahill is back in now after an excellent long pot. The reds are spread wide open making this a great early chance for Cahill now, just what you want in the opening frame.
First live blog of the day comes from the match between Gerard Greene and James Cahill.
The interesting element to this match is a battle for tour places. Greene presently is outside of the top 64 and not inside the top 8 on the one season list not already qualified for next season to get a new two year tour card. A win here would put him within touching distance on the latter.
As for James Cahill, he may be competing here as a Q School top up player as he has been all season but he is actually ahead of Greene on the one-year list coming into this match. So much so that victory here would temporarily put him inside that aforementioned top 8 not already qualified for next season.
Cahill of course has beaten Mark Selby this season in the UK Championship, a massive victory, as well as defeating Liang Wenbo out in China. Interestingly, the winner of this will play Shaun Murphy in the last 64 and Greene thrashed Murphy 4-0 in the last 128 in Cardiff 12 months ago.
There could be a bit of tension in this contest, especially if it goes as close as I expect it to.
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