Snooker Chaos! Referee Uses Spectator’s Phone to Settle Frame as Gilbert Pulls Off Thrilling Comeback Victory

In an unusual yet entertaining twist during the World Snooker Championship qualifiers, a referee turned to an unlikely source for help — a spectator’s phone. The incident occurred during the opening frame of a gripping match between David Gilbert and Aaron Hill, with both players battling for a coveted spot in the main draw at the Crucible.

The drama began when Hill committed a foul on the brown ball, prompting referee Leo Scullion to call for the shot to be retaken. He attempted to reposition the cue ball and other balls to their original locations, but quickly ran into difficulty. With Hill trying to assist, the task proved too tricky to manage from memory alone.

That’s when David Gilbert stepped in to resolve the issue. Spotting an opportunity, the 43-year-old player approached the audience and returned moments later with a spectator’s phone in hand. The phone had a photograph of the table setup prior to the foul, providing a perfect reference. The crowd, clearly amused by the improvised solution, erupted in laughter and applause as Scullion accepted the device and used it to accurately reset the balls. With the table restored, the match resumed — and the real fireworks began.

Though considered the favourite, having reached the semi-finals last year, Gilbert found himself in serious trouble as Hill surged ahead 6-3. The young Irishman looked poised for an upset, leading 8-5 and later standing just one frame from victory at 9-7. But Gilbert’s experience shone through under pressure. He produced clinical breaks of 118 and 53 to level the match and force a deciding frame.

In the nail-biting conclusion, Hill had an opening but faltered at 20 points. Gilbert seized the moment, crafting a composed break of 63 to clinch a 10-9 win. He now advances to the main event, joining 15 other qualifiers. The 2025 World Snooker Championship kicks off this Saturday and runs until May 5, with reigning champion Kyren Wilson set to defend his title.