English teenager snooker star Stan Moody reveals no regrets about Crucible debut defeat

The 19-year-old debutant appeared to be on the cusp of causing an upset in Sheffield when he led former world champion and world number two Kyren Wilson 7-3 before losing seven consecutive frames in a 10-7 defeat.

In only his third season on the professional snooker circuit, Moody qualified for the main draw, televised stages of the sport’s blue riband event for the first time after coming through two preliminary matches at the English Institute of Sport.

Winner of the World Snooker Federation Junior Championship held in Australia in 2023, Moody dispatched Robbie Williams, 10-5, in the penultimate qualifying round before ousting fellow youngster Jiang Jun of China, 10-9, to realise a dream of stepping out onto the hallowed Crucible carpet.

Moody’s epic victory over Jiang was even more memorable due to the fact that he was in hospital the night before with tonsilitis; the teenager discharging himself against medical advice to play in the final round qualifier.

Drawn against the victor from two years before and the reigning Masters champion Wilson for round one, Moody became the youngest British player since Judd Trump in 2007 to make their Crucible bow.

If Moody was struggling with nerves, he didn’t show it with his brand of ‘no-fear snooker’, immediately settling in with breaks of 84 and 91 in establishing a 3-0 lead. Wilson opened his account with back-to-back frames, but his opponent fashioned a brace of century breaks (110, 101) to build a 6-2 advantage, although the number three seed did take the final frame of the morning session to stay in touch.

Returning that night for the concluding session, Moody secured the first frame, and was effectively a ball away from 8-3 but missed a red along the top cushion.

What turned out to be a major turning point in the tie, Wilson cleared up and then pinched the frame on a re-spotted black. ‘The Warrior’ continued to build momentum, later reducing the gap to just one at 7-6, and then levelling the contest with frame 14 despite having required three snookers.

Wilson went on to eventually win seven frames in-a-row for a huge 10-7 comeback success, as the wheels kind of fell off Moody’s performance.

“A case of learning” Moody has no regrets about his brave Crucible approach

Recently speaking to the World Snooker Tour about his Crucible debut, Moody reflected on a landmark moment for his career: “It was special, my first time walking out. I had watched it on television for so many years and always wanted to play there, it was a dream come true.

“The crowd was amazing and the whole set up was amazing. It was a great experience and hopefully I can get back there soon. It felt different to any other venue, it was more fun to play in with the atmosphere. I didn't feel more pressure.”

Last season was a breakthrough campaign for Moody who reached new personal ground in making the quarter-finals of a ranking event for the first time at the Wuhan Open. Only a few weeks later on home soil, he also featured in the last eight of the British Open.

During the term, Moody registered several victories against high-profile opponents: against Ding Junhui in China, whitewashing Barry Hawkins 5-0, defeating Ali Carter twice, John Higgins, and Wilson at the aforementioned British Open on the main televised table.

Against Wilson in Sheffield, Moody’s attacking approach worked a treat in the first half of the match, but when things started to go wrong that evening, the possible lack of a ‘Plan B’ cost him.

However, looking back at how the match played out, Moody sees it all as part of the learning process for his career development. Asked about whether he had regrets, the Yorkshire cueist told the WST: “No. It's just a case of learning. Maybe on another day I wouldn't have taken on certain shots. But if I fancy them, I go for them.

“People might say it's reckless but when I fancy potting a ball I usually do. That's the way I play and that's the way I want to play in the future. I have tried playing more slowly and defensively but it doesn't work for me, I don't enjoy playing like that.”

How a ‘relaxed approach’ has helped Moody settle in on pro tour

Looking ahead to the new season, Moody begins the term in a career-high world ranking position of number 40, with the top 32 bracket in sight.

Tipped by Ronnie O’Sullivan as a future world champion, Moody is set for China Open and Wuhan Open qualifying action at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester in mid-June.

Quizzed by the World Snooker Tour on whether he has set a timeframe of making the big step of actually winning a ranking event, ‘The Action’ replied: “I don't really think that way, I play one match at a time and try to enjoy it.

“In my first season I wasn't enjoying it because I out so much pressure on myself to win matches. It was too much. In my second season I just decided to relax, attack and play as I do in practice, and that worked.

“When you are relaxed you play your best stuff, not caring about missing or losing because that is all part of the learning curve.”