YORK, England: Judd Trump ended a breakthrough 2011 by winning the UK Championship -- snooker's second most important tournament -- with a 10-8 win over Mark Allen in an absorbing final on Sunday.
Trump, 22, enjoyed a fantastic run at this year's World Championship when, as a qualifier, he got all the way to the final only to lose to John Higgins in the climax at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.
But a return to Yorkshire saw English left-hander Trump walk away with a trophy to add to the China Open title he won in April.
In York, Trump took seven frames in a row to establish an 8-3 lead in the best of 19 frames final against Northern Ireland's Allen.
But Allen hit back in Sunday's evening session with a run of three century breaks in four frames.
However, in the 19th, he jawed a red in the corner pocket and Trump held his nerve with a rapid and match-winning effort of 91. (AFP)
Trump, 22, enjoyed a fantastic run at this year's World Championship when, as a qualifier, he got all the way to the final only to lose to John Higgins in the climax at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.
But a return to Yorkshire saw English left-hander Trump walk away with a trophy to add to the China Open title he won in April.
In York, Trump took seven frames in a row to establish an 8-3 lead in the best of 19 frames final against Northern Ireland's Allen.
But Allen hit back in Sunday's evening session with a run of three century breaks in four frames.
However, in the 19th, he jawed a red in the corner pocket and Trump held his nerve with a rapid and match-winning effort of 91. (AFP)