Ditton player Barry Hawkins admitted he was furious with the game after a dramatic loss in the second round of the UK Snooker Championship, writes Jack Miller of Sportsbeat.

The 35-year-old collapsed at the York Barbican, throwing away a 5-0 lead over Nigel Bond, a player 55 places below him in the rankings.

The defeat is a continuation of Hawkins’ poor form at the tournament, where the world No.5 has only made the third round on three occasions in a 19-year career.

Hawkins became the second high-profile player to exit in the second round after world champion Mark Selby was eliminated by Ireland’s David Morris, 6-4.

On a remarkable night, Hawkins appeared to be cruising before his game disintegrated after missing a regulation green that would have all but secured victory in the sixth frame.

“I have just thrown it away there to be honest with you,” he said. “I have taken it too easy at 5-0 up, missed a green and thought it was all over.

“After that I really struggled. My cueing went, my timing went and I thought Nigel was playing really slow, just walking around the table.

“I couldn’t get any rhythm and fell asleep to be honest. I could not do anything and I deserved what happened.

“I do not know why but I felt like a result like that was coming; I have not been playing well and I am just really annoyed to be honest.

“I am annoyed with the game. I do not know what it is, I cannot put my finger on it but I think a few of us are feeling it.

“Even at 5-0 up I was not up for it. I was not even playing well and neither was Nigel. He played a bit better towards the end but I just handed it him on a plate.”

And Rainham’s Gerard Greene could only step back and salute former world No.4 Matthew Stevens after the Welshman beat him 6-3 for a place in the third round.

“I started off great to go 2-0 up but he just kept clearing up; I had chances but he played really well,” said Greene.

“Obviously I don’t like losing but there is nothing I could have done better, he barely missed a pot really.

“I feel great but every frame he just kept one upping me, it made me feel sick. It is one of my favourite tournaments but I just met someone who played great.”

British Eurosport is the Home of Snooker, showing 19 tournaments per season including the World Championship, UK Championship the Masters and all other ranking events. Available on Sky, Virgin Media & BT TV or online/mobile viaeurosportplayer.com #eurosportsnooker