JOE O'CONNOR pulled off a miraculous shot that even left the referee stunned. O'Connor was in action in the third round of the Welsh Open against Matthew Stevens. The 29-year-old was winning 2-0 in frames without conceding a single point after 99-0 and 87-0 wins. Stevens finally got into the game in frame three. While he was leading the frame 65-32, O'Connor was given the chance to claw some points back.
![[Snooker player taking a shot.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/welsh-open-fans-spot-referees-971922430.jpg?strip=all&w=604)
However, the cue ball was positioned right up against the table cushion, making the shot difficult. O'Connor fired a shot forwards, hitting the yellow ball. As the cue ball bounced off to the left, the yellow cannoned into the black ball which then moved in the same direction. A green ball was positioned over the corner pocket, which the cue ball narrowly passed after bouncing off of the far end cushion.
![[Close-up of two referees reacting to a snooker shot.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/welsh-open-fans-spot-referees-971922460.jpg?strip=all&w=613)
But it then became sandwiched as the black ball nestled itself right up against it, snookering Stevens in place. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS. The Welsh cueist smiled in disbelief at the shot, while the referee was also visibly stunned as he pursed his lips. Fans on social media were equally shocked, but could not help but highlight the referee's reaction. One user said: "The referees reaction was brilliant.".
Another said: "I like it that refs also enjoy a quality match and good shots.". A third said: "The referee's reaction, priceless.". Stevens did go on to win the frame 76-39 before restoring his two-frame advantage by winning frame four 113-1. He then won the fifth and final frame 82-0. O'Connor is now going up against Ali Carter in the quarter-finals. BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year. The record is for the modern era, widely considered as dating from the 1968-69 season, when the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) took control of the sport.
