Keynsham snooker star Trump makes a ton but bows out at Wembley

Keynsham snooker star Judd Trump joined a select club of Masters' debutants to have racked up a century – but still saw his bid to enjoy an extended run on his first outing at Wembley end in defeat.

Trump qualified to face world No 16 Mark Allen in a wildcard clash at the televised event yesterday lunchtime for the right to play Welshman Ryan Day in the first round proper.

And despite racking up the two highest breaks of the match (96 and 123), sinking more balls and enjoying a higher potting success rate than his Northern Irish opponent, Trump was on the end of an unfortunate 6-4 defeat.

The promising youngster admitted that his safety play 'had let him down' – but refused to leave the venue downbeat after reasoning that he had played 'quite well' despite the reverse.

He said: "We both missed a few balls and it was a bit scrappy in places. I was happy with my break-building and felt quite comfortable in amongst the balls, so I'm not too disheartened.

"I missed a few easy balls to let Mark in and that was probably the reason that I lost. I felt I played quite well generally so I'm not too disappointed."

Even Allen was left to sheepishly admit that he was just 'glad' to 'get over the line' and secure his place in the next round after missing four routine blacks off the spot that he would usually sink with his 'eyes closed.'

"The first four frames were particularly bad for me and I wouldn't have complained if I had gone in at the break 4-0 down," Allen admitted.

And despite his defeat, Trump is dreaming of a return to Wembley next year.

Allen actually went into the break with a two-frame advantage – even though Trump had claimed the opening frame.

That opening gambit suggested Trump was in the mood to avenge the 5-1 defeat he suffered at the hands of Allen in Bahrain earlier this season – that was before he lost three on the bounce after spurning frame-winning opportunities in each one.

Both players, it seemed, returned from the break re-vitalised and Allen took just eight minutes to rack up a break of 80 to extend his lead to 4-1.

Trump, however, showed dogged resistance and replied immediately with a break of 96 in the sixth frame when in with an outside chance of a 147 break – which would have earned him a welcome £35,000 prize.

After sinking 12 successive reds and blacks, Trump shanked the 13th red off the jaws of the corner pocket to end what would have been a sensational way to announce himself to the Wembley crowd.

The 96 break was enough to reduce the deficit, but Allen restored the three-frame advantage with separate breaks of 28 and 31 either side of a sizeable 40+ haul that looked certain to see Trump go just one frame behind.

A missed red, however, let Allen back in and Trump admitted: "I put too much side on the cue ball and that missed shot was probably a big turning point."

Indeed. Rather than closing the gap to 4-3, Trump fell 5-2 behind and faced an almighty struggle to remain in the tournament. He did take the eighth frame with a competent break of 55 and then rattled up the first century of the match – an impressive 123 – to continue the fightback.

Trump added: "To get the my first century in front of the TV cameras is a big thing for me, so I can take something positive away from the day."

Allen clinched the next frame with a break of 70 to end the clash and leave Trump dreaming of a return to Wembley next year.

"It will be tough because I probably won't be in the top 16," said Trump, who has recently risen in the rankings to a career high of 27. "I'll have to win another six qualifying matches, but after getting a taste of it I am even more determined to come back again next year."