Maximum effort sees Neil Robertson join the Crucible elite at Betfred World Championship

Neil Robertson joined an elite group of snooker players by making a magical maximum break at the Crucible.

The Cambridge-based cueman became only the eighth player in 45 years to compile a 147 at the Crucible, but it was in defeat as he was beaten 13-12 by Jack Lisowski at the Betfred World Championship.

The maximum came when he was 10-8 down, and he was barely out of position throughout the break as he potted 15 reds with blacks and cleared the colours.

“To make the 147 was unbelievable and tops the season off because that is on everyone’s bucket list, to make a maximum at the Crucible,” said Robertson.

“Once I split the reds I knew I had a chance. The tension was building, so to clear the colours without much stress, then get

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the cheer from the crowd, it was absolutely fantastic. As a kid you just want to have those kind of moments.

“My mum was in the crowd, and she was buzzing about it. She’ll probably be more disappointed than me about the result, but at least she got to see something special. I have won four big titles this season, it has been a dream.”

It was a fifth maximum career break for Robertson, and it puts him alongside Cliff Thorburn, Jimmy White, Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams, Ali Carter and John Higgins to achieve the feat at the Crucible.

It was a see-saw match as Robertson trailed 9-7 overnight, but then hit back to win consescutive frames to lead 12-11.

However, Lisowski levelled to take it to a deciding final frame, which he won with a match-winning 25 after trapping Robertson in a tough snooker.

Robertson added: “It was an incredible match played in the right way, we both kept going for our shots and I have nothing but praise for Jack, he handled himself well. People have played far worse than I did and got through the last 16. Jack just played the absolute match of his life.”