RONNIE O’SULLIVAN’S World Championship semi-final with Zhao Xintong is warming up nicely.
But it might not be the hottest – or spiciest – thing at the Crucible table!
Referee Leo Scullion quickly put his hand to his stomach after the noise
PARonnie O’Sullivan was licking his lips as he led the match but Zhao Xintong fought back to take the final frame of the session to level at 4-4[/caption]
Fans heard what appeared to be referee Leo Scullion’s tummy rumbling – just as Zhao was lining up a red.
The much-respected official appeared to give the game away as to his role in the matter by quickly putting his hand to his stomach.
And viewers wondered what he’d been eating to produce such a gurgle.
One posted: “Shouldn’t have had that curry last night Leo.”
Another wrote: “Sounds like he had a Taco Bell last night.”
A third observer suggested: “Dodgy takeaway last night.”
A fourth fan was more brutal as he asked: “WTF is that noise?”
And a fifth viewer might have hit the back of the onion bag with his theory.
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PAScullion is more commonly seen in this more dignified pose[/caption]
He posted: “Scullion has been on the scallions.”
The 67-year-old, is a professional ref who has been overseeing Pro Tour matches since 1999.
But even his distinguished reputation didn’t save him from TNT Sports having some gentle fun over the incident.
The broadcaster posted a clip of the curious sight and sound at the historic Sheffield theatre.
Not only that, TNT added the comment: “Was that a stomach rumble from the referee?” – followed by a laughing emoji.
Whatever it was, it didn’t seem to affect Zhao.
The Chinese ace never flinched and kept his focus as he potted a red to the middle pocket.
He went on to compile 86 – his best break of the match at that stage – as he powered back to level at 4-4 against seven-time world champion O’Sullivan.
Zhao is clearly a cool customer – as later in the same eighth frame he also dealt with a table pocket BREAKING.
BBCZhao stooped to conquer as he overcome a broken pocket and referee Scullion’s apparent tummy rumble to level the match[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
