Victor Wembanyama starred on his NBA play-off debut as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers 111-98.

Wembanyama, one of three contenders for the Most Valuable Player award, scored a game-high 35 points, including 21 in the first half, as the Spurs won game one of the best-of-seven series.

“It’s good to get this one out of the way,” the Frenchman said. “We just tried to do the things we’ve been doing all year and stay solid.

“There was pressure on us to win the first game, but it wasn’t that much pressure if we just stayed to the plan.”

Elsewhere, defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics both made dominant starts to the post-season.

The Thunder – the number one seeds in the Western Conference – thrashed the Phoenix Suns 119-84, led by last year’s Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who had 25 points, seven assists and four rebounds.

Jayson Tatum scored 25 points with 11 rebounds and seven assists – and Jaylen Brown added 26 points – as the second-seeded Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 123-91.

Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic stunned Eastern Conference top seeds Detroit Pistons 112-101 to take a 1-0 lead in their seven-game series.

Victory for the eighth-seeded Magic, who qualified for the play-offs via the play-in tournament, extends an unwelcome NBA record for the Pistons, who have not won a post-season game at home for 11 matches dating back to 2008.

Forward Paolo Banchero starred with 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists, to help the Magic overshadow Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham’s play-off best haul of 39 points.

“[We] didn’t come out with the right energy, gave them life early on,” said Cunningham. “Then we had to deal with that for the rest of the game.

“There’s no confidence drop from us. It’s going to be a long, fun series.”

Police believe the two incidents are linked

Police are appealing for information after two ‘serious’ incidents in Haverhill. One man is in hospital with a head injury, and another man is wanted by police after allegedly carrying a large machete-style knife.

A man, in his 40s, was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with a head injury after being hit on a footpath near the Cangle Road supermarket. Officers were called by the ambulance service at 7.45pm on Saturday, April 18, to reports of an injured man in the car park at the Tesco supermarket on Cangle Road. He remains in a stable condition.

It is reported that the victim, a man in his 40s, was assaulted at around 7pm on the old railway line footpath in the town. The man was reportedly walking with his partner when he was approached by a group of around five young males who shouted verbal abuse.

After he tried to speak to them, one of the males allegedly hit him on the head with a large branch. Officers are dealing with the incident as racially aggravated grievous bodily harm.

At 7.32pm, police were called to reports of a man with a large machete-type weapon in the vicinity of the same Tesco supermarket on Cangle Road. The suspect was shouting at members of the public before walking off.

No threats were directly made and nobody was injured. The suspect is described as a white man who was wearing a black jumper and black trousers.

Police are currently exploring possible links between the two incidents. Officers are reviewing CCTV and carrying out other enquiries in the area to understand the full circumstances.

Anyone with relevant CCTV or doorbell camera footage or anyone driving in the area at the time with a dash camera is asked to contact police. Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Suffolk Police quoting crime reference 37/22010/26 (GBH) and/or 37/21933/26 (knife incident).

The First Minister – who said when he launched his party’s Holyrood manifesto on Thursday that he was “only just getting started” – spoke about what could happen in such a vote.

John Swinney believes he can win an independence referendum in 2028 – with the SNP leader vowing he will then run to be the first leader in an independent Scotland in 2031.

Having set the SNP the target of winning a majority of seats in next month’s Holyrood election in a bid to force another vote on the future of the UK, Mr Swinney is confident that independence supporters will be successful second time round.

The 2014 referendum – held after Alex Salmond became the only party leader so far to win an overall majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament – saw Scots vote by 55% to 45% in favour of staying part of the UK.

But with the SNP leader now focusing on the prospect of another referendum in 2028, Mr Swinney believes independence supporters can “land it” by “being persuasive”.

With Scotland – and the rest of the UK – now out of the European Union, despite claims made in the run-up to 2014 that voting against independence was necessary to remain part of the EU, he also believes voters will be “less susceptible to the arguments made by the No side”.

He spoke about the prospect of another referendum as the Press Association joined him on the SNP’s election battlebus.

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The First Minister – who said when he launched his party’s Holyrood manifesto on Thursday that he was “only just getting started” – spoke about what could happen in such a vote.

He said: “I think we are very close to winning Scottish independence. I just have to make it happen.”

Describing himself as being a “persuasive person”, he added: “I have persuaded many people to change the way they vote for me.

“I have managed to persuade many, many people to vote for budgets they never thought they would ever vote for by being accommodating and reasonable and respecting other people’s perspectives.

“And I think that is how we will land it, by being persuasive.”

Asked directly if he believes he will win an independence referendum, Mr Swinney said simply: “Yes”.

He then believes Scotland could complete the process of becoming an independent nation within 18 months – the same timetable that was suggested by the party in the run-up to the 2014 vote.

That could see Scotland become independent by the end of 2030, making the Holyrood elections due to be held the following year the first in an independent Scotland.

Asked if he would step down at this point, Mr Swinney said instead he would run to be the first leader of an independent Scotland.

“It’s the point at which I stand to be the first prime minister of an independent Scotland,” he declares.

He insists he does not fear “in the slightest” the campaign pro-UK parties will mount to keep Scotland in the UK – with Mr Swinney claiming that the “credibility” of Labour, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats has been “diminished”.

Hitting out at his political rivals, he said: “We were all told: wait for a Labour government, and it will solve all our issues. ‘We don’t need to have independence, we just need a Labour government.’

“Well it is a total and utter shambles.

“Shambles, disappointment – there is nothing good you can say about it.

“The Conservative Party is getting eaten alive by Reform, and Reform is repugnant, and the Liberal Democrats are irrelevant.”

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The First Minister adds: “I’m going to lead a hopeful and optimistic campaign to set out to the people of Scotland the benefits of independence, and I think that is something to be very confident and optimistic about.”

His comments come as voters prepare to go to the polls in both Scotland and Wales – with the potential for a Plaid Cymru First Minister in Wales for the first time ever, along with nationalist first ministers in both Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This would be a “seismic change”, were it to happen, Mr Swinney says, adding that in Wales, where Labour have been in power since the start of devolution, it would be a “massive change in the fortunes and perspective of the Labour Party” which would then have “enormous implications for the United Kingdom”.

He adds that in the SNP campaign “the mood is very positive”, with his party fighting for a record fifth consecutive term in power at Holyrood.

Mr Swinney however stresses it is the “first Scottish Parliament election in which I am standing for re-election as First Minister”, having taken over the role almost two years ago when predecessor Humza Yousaf stepped down.

He adds: “I think people generally view me as a reliable character, somebody they can depend upon to do the right thing, who will always have Scotland’s interests at heart.”

This, he says, will be “very much part of the judgment that people make” when they go to the polls on May 7.

In the run-up to that he is “juggling” campaigning with his family responsibilities to his wife Elizabeth, who has multiple sclerosis, while his youngest child Matthew, 15, is about to sit exams at school.

Mr Swinney says: “It is all a juggle. But lots of people have lots of juggles in their life, I am no different.”

However on the campaign trail he said he has been managing to get home “most nights”, which he says is “actually a big benefit”.

The SNP leader said: “We’re trying to structure my campaign to make sure I get home at night, which really matters.”

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The latest rugby news from Wales and around the world

These are your latest rugby headlines on Monday, April 20.

Jac Morgan flooded with support

Wales captain Jac Morgan has been flooded with support after he announced the tragic death of his rugby player cousin Harri.

On Sunday, the British & Irish Lions star paid an emotional tribute to his “best friend” as he revealed he had died suddenly last week, adding that the Brynamman RFC vice-captain “meant the world” to him and his family.

“This week I suddenly lost my cousin and best friend Harri,” wrote Morgan on Instagram. “He meant the world to us as a family. He loved so much about life, but his greatest joy was playing rugby for Brynamman.

“Yesterday I played my game [for the Ospreys against the Sharks] in honour and memory of Harri. It felt important to go out there and make him proud, playing the game that he loved.”

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Morgan has since received an outpouring of love and support from across the rugby world, with Wales team-mate Joe Hawkins writing: “Thinking of you and the family mate.”

Carmarthen-born Ireland coach Aled Walters commented: “Meddwl amdano chi gyd Jac. [Thinking of you all, Jac],” while ex-Wales U20s international Lennon Greggains wrote: “Sending my love brother.”

Wales team-mates – including Dewi Lake, Rio Dyer, Gareth Thomas, Taine Plumtree, Joe Roberts, Louie Hennessey, Sam Costelow and Adam Beard – were among those to send messages of support through loveheart emojis, as were fellow Lions tourists Ellis Genge and Ben Earl.

Former internationals James Hook, Paul James and Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies have also shown their support to the Ospreys star.

Morgan has also shared a link to a GoFundMe page for Harri’s brothers, Cerith and Ifan, and friends, who are running the Swansea Half Marathon later this year in his memory. You can donate to the GoFundMe here.

“If anyone is struggling, please reach out to your friends, your family, or anyone around you,” the 26-year-old wrote.

“There are always people you can talk to, and there is help out there with @jaclewisfdn. His brothers and close friends are running the Swansea half marathon in June in memory of Harri and there is a GoFundMe link in my Bio to donate.

“Cysga’n dawel Harri. Caru ti. [Sleep peacefully Harri. I love you].”

Carre scores as Saracens seal record PREM victory

By Press Association Sport Staff

Noah Caluori claimed another remarkable five-try haul against Sale as Saracens kept alive their outside hopes of reaching the Prem play-offs with a stunning 85-19 win.

The 19-year-old winger ran in five tries on his first Prem start for Mark McCall’s men in the reverse fixture against Sale last October and he grabbed another handful here in Saracens’ record Prem victory.

Sarries ran in six unanswered first-half tries to lead 38-0 at the break after ruthlessly exposing Sale’s brittle confidence and defensive weaknesses as the hosts slumped to a record Prem defeat.

Rotimi Segun opened the scoring and Caluori added a second before Tom Willis, Rhys Carre, Fergus Burke and Caluori again ensured the visitors went in at the break in total control.

Tom O’Flaherty – with two – and Asher Opoku-Fordjour scored second-half tries for Sale but Saracens added seven more of their own with Caluori claiming three more and Charlie Bracken, Nathan Michelow, Max Malins and Ben Earl all touching down.

Saracens have had a disappointing campaign but this bonus-point win takes them to within nine points of fourth-placed Exeter with five rounds remaining.

The result marked another major setback for Sale, who slumped to their 10th defeat from 13 league games this season and are marooned in seventh place.

The Sharks were also dumped out of the Champions Cup by a 43-13 quarter-final defeat at Leinster last Saturday and are firmly on course for a bottom-half finish in the Prem.

Sanderson confident he can take Sale forward

Despite Sale’s humiliating thumping at the hands of Saracens, director of rugby Alex Sanderson believes he is still the right man to lead his side.

Addressing the brutal defeat after the final whistle, he said: “I’ll take my part in it. I am leading this group and clearly I was not able to get the boys motivated enough for what we wanted from the next eight to nine weeks.

“I was not able to push those buttons, ask the right questions or bring the group together because we did not play like a team.

“I think we just turned up today and after a poor start, looked to stick in and survive. You are always going to come off a second best against a team going for the top four.

“I didn’t think we were at the races at all from a mentality and physical perspective and that bled through all aspects of our game: set-piece, aerially, gainline,” Sanderson added. “We were well beaten, battered actually.”

Quizzed on his future, the Sale boss responded: “I’m confident I can take them forward, 100 per cent I can.

“If I felt like I was losing the group then that’s a different question – I would just walk.

“But at the moment internally we’re very tight and we feel like we’ve got the answers moving forward.”

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“Alongside managing the physical impact of MS, I carry the anxiety that others might see me as lazy, exaggerating, or unreliable.”

A Co Down woman living with multiple sclerosis (MS) has opened up about the judgement and assumptions she faces every day.

Jordanna Kalla from Holywood was speaking as new research reveals the scale of stigma experienced by people like her with MS across Northern Ireland.

Jordanna, 44, lives with relapsing remitting MS and has chosen to share her experience to mark the start of MS Awareness Week, April 20-26, to help challenge harmful misconceptions and encourage people to think again about the condition.

READ MORE: ‘I’ve survived two open heart surgeries and a stroke at just 24 years old’READ MORE: Co Down man’s new skincare brand inspired by own nine stone weight loss journey

Jordanna said: “People who know I have MS often assume that I’m ‘fine’ because I don’t necessarily look unwell. When I can’t attend gatherings or take part in things, it can be interpreted as me being difficult or simply not interested. Comments like ‘just have a rest and you’ll be okay’ can feel dismissive, as though the complexity of my symptoms isn’t fully understood.

“Alongside managing the physical impact of MS, I carry the anxiety that others might see me as lazy, exaggerating, or unreliable. That fear has meant I’ve missed opportunities for travel, celebrations and professional development, because I’m worried about how I’ll be perceived.

“When I travel and use special assistance, I often notice looks that seem to say, ‘She doesn’t look disabled.’ I’ve even offered to show a medical letter just to avoid being judged. On one occasion, I was questioned about my disability badge on a train. Experiences like that can make you anxious and constantly aware of how others perceive you. The fear of being judged has felt overwhelming and isolating at times.

“Many MS symptoms, like fatigue, pain and brain fog, are completely invisible. You can look fine on the outside but be struggling on the inside. Because others can’t see it, there can be an assumption that you’re exaggerating or being lazy, which is exhausting and can make you avoid situations altogether.”

Jordanna’s experience reflects the findings of a new survey of people living with MS, which reveals the ongoing and damaging impact of judgement and misunderstanding surrounding the condition.

The survey, conducted by leading MS charities as part of this year’s MS Awareness Week campaign, MS Think Again, gathered responses from more than 1,600 people living with MS across the UK.

In Northern Ireland, six in ten people (60%) who completed the survey said they have felt judged or treated differently because of their condition, while more than half (52%) reported feeling stigmatised by politicians for claiming the financial support they need.

The impact of judgement is also affecting work and employment. Almost half (48%) of NI respondents said they have felt underestimated at work because of their MS, while a third (33%) said others have assumed they can’t work at all. Fear of being judged or treated differently has prevented almost half (45%) from disclosing their MS diagnosis to others, and four in ten (40%) said it stopped them from applying for a job.

Judgement and misunderstanding also extend into everyday life. Over half (58%) of people with MS in Northern Ireland said they have been questioned or challenged when using accessible facilities, and the same proportion said they have avoided using those facilities for fear of being judged.

Although many people with MS rely on disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to help them stay in work, negative assumptions remain common during assessments.

Of the 77% of respondents in Northern Ireland who had applied for benefits: 59% felt their invisible symptoms weren’t understood or taken seriously during a benefits assessment; 59% felt the fluctuating nature of MS wasn’t understood or taken seriously during an assessment; 54% said they were made to feel like they were lying or exaggerating the impact of their MS during an assessment; 52% said assessors made incorrect assumptions about their condition.

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More than 5,300 people live with MS in Northern Ireland. Most are diagnosed in their 30s and 40s. Symptoms differ for everyone and are often invisible, with 97% of respondents in Northern Ireland experiencing at least one invisible symptom, such as fatigue, brain fog or pain.

Of those, almost two thirds (64%) said they have been made to feel like their invisible symptoms weren’t real. Nearly all respondents (92%) felt that a lack of knowledge about MS contributes to incorrect assumptions or judgement.

Stewart Finn, Country Director of MS Society Northern Ireland, said he findings are hard to read and a reminder that not all disabilities are visible.

“MS can be debilitating, exhausting and unpredictable, yet we continue to see remarkable resilience and strength within our community,” he added.

“This week, as people affected by MS come together in Parliament Buildings with policymakers, researchers and healthcare professionals to mark 70 years of MS Society Northern Ireland’s support, these experiences underline why challenging judgement and misunderstanding remains as vital as ever.

“We’re encouraging everyone to take time this week to listen, learn and understand MS before saying something that could hurt or offend. No one with MS should be challenged or questioned about their condition.”

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Juliana Marins, 26, slipped and fell nearly 1,000 feet while climbing Mount Rinjani in Lombok, Indonesia on a guided hike – and her body was found after a four-day search effort

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One backpacker tragically lost her life after a tour guide abandoned her when she fell into a volcano in Indonesia, with one haunting photo taken of her final moments.

Juliana Marins, 26, sent her mother a heartbreaking text message at the start of her South East Asian adventure.

Juliana, slipped and plummeted nearly 1,000 feet while climbing Mount Rinjani, in Lombok, on a guided hike on June 21, 2025 at around 6.30 am.

The publicist and pole dancer, originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, disappeared after falling into the crater – with her body eventually recovered following a four-day search operation.

Local police revealed Juliana had stopped to rest due to fatigue while the guide pressed on with the remainder of the group. Tragically, she was found dead upon his return.

It emerged Juliana told Estela Marins she was “fearless” and said she was determined to pursue her dreams.

In a message broadcast on Brazilian programme Fantastico, Juliana wrote: “Mami, I love you so much. I was heartbroken when we said goodbye.

“In fact, that’s the only thing that worries me: letting you, papi or my sister be disappointed. Other than that, I’m not afraid of much, much less trouble.”

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She said she had no fear of life’s hardships, crediting her upbringing by a strong woman.

“I was raised by a woman who can solve any problem and who is not afraid to take the plunge and go after her dreams,” Juliana texted, according to the BBC.

“I am like that too. I have different desires and dreams. I love you all very much! And I will always be grateful for all the support, care and affection. That is what makes me fearless.”

The initial autopsy was carried out at a hospital in Bali on June 26. The coroner concluded her death resulted from “trauma” – and that she would have died within 20 minutes.

She was found to have suffered serious fractures and haemorrhaging.

But, the exact timing of the fatal injury remains unclear, as between the moment she fell and the day before she was discovered dead, she was heard screaming and spotted on drone footage, still alive.

Agam Rinjani, a volunteer who led one of the rescue teams, told O Globo once they found her, the team stayed with Marins overnight on the edge of a 500-metre cliff.

Juliana’s family branded the rescue operation as “botched” and alleged that the tour guide abandoned her.

Her sister, Mariana Marins, said: “Juliana was in this group, but she got very tired and asked to stop for a while. They kept going, and the guide didn’t stay with her.”

Brazil’s Foreign Ministry described her death as a tragedy, stating the country’s embassy in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, had co-ordinated the rescue effort alongside local authorities. Officials did not confirm the exact time of her death.

In an Instagram post, Juliana’s family expressed their gratitude to the countless Brazilians who had prayed for their daughter’s safety.

Juliana had been living in Niteroi, on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, and was travelling across Asia, having visited the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand before arriving in Indonesia.

In total, 50 people have been involved in the rescue operation, search and rescue head Mohammad Syaffi said in a statement. It was made difficult by poor visibility and rocky terrain.

The 3,726m volcano attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Several people have died trying to climb it in recent years – including a Malaysian tourist last month, Reuters news agency reported.

Cambourne Town Council has seen its precept rise by 68%, sparking anger among residents who have demanded accountability from the council

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CambridgeshireLive readers have expressed fury and cynicism over after some locals saw part of their council tax rise by 68%. They questioned who ought to shoulder the burden, how funds have been handled, and what reforms are needed going forward.

Many demanded greater accountability, while others contended that infrastructure requires consistent investment. Some said the high street and local amenities must take priority.

Residents told CambridgeshireLive that ‘mismanaged’ finances have resulted in part of their council tax bill rising by 68 per cent. The precept for Cambourne Town Council means locals have experienced bill increases exceeding those in other areas of Cambridgeshire.

Aaron Kersey described the rise as ‘ridiculous’. “Other people make mistakes and we have to pay for it,” he said. He added: “We have roots growing in our parking spaces that they need to sort out, but they aren’t doing anything about. We’ve noticed that our joint account has gone down, but all bills are going up. Our tax has gone up by about £240 a year.”

The town council does not receive funding from central government. A spokesperson said the authority “acknowledges and sincerely apologises” for the increase.

A 63-year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of fraud in connection with the precept rise. A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson said: “On Wednesday (April 15), a 63-year-old man from St Ives was arrested on suspicion of fraud by abuse of position. He has been bailed until July 15.”

One reader, Vulcan559, says: “I find it extremely difficult to understand why no one appears to have been brought to book over this mismanagement of what is public money. There has been no announcement from the town Council regarding the culprit or culprits that caused this problem, nor the diligence of the whole council that allowed this calamity. Come on, stand up and come out with an announcement and the future designs on stopping any recurrence. And finally sort out the High Street, so we look like a town going forward.”

Calumen Nomen writes: “Really is time complete amateurs with no demonstrable expertise were forbidden from public office. This is our money gurgling down the plug-hole, not theirs.”

Skipper thinks: “On the other hand, if the lycra lot were made to pay for the proliferation of underused push bike tracks, the rest of us could have a welcome reduction in the horrendously expensive, poor value, council tax that we are ripped off.”

Liveincrete simply says: “Heads should roll.”

Over on our Facebook page, Steve N comments: “These funds must now be replenished and the projects they were intended for delivered.’ Just do what normal householders do; spend the money when you have it, not just expect residents to over-contribute to do it for you. Take some responsibility.”

Adam Bond writes: “Councils and local authorities, people are getting sick of you… you will be held accountable in due course, so don’t expect to keep your jobs!”

Are you surprised by how much the hike is? Comment HERE or below to join in the conversation.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Federal prosecutors said a 44-year-old Los Angeles woman was arrested Saturday night at Los Angeles International Airport on suspicion of helping Iran traffic weapons to Sudan, which is in its fourth year of a bloody civil war.

Shamim Mafi will face charges that she brokered the sale of “drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition” between Iran and the Sudanese Armed Forces, First U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said Sunday on social media.

A phone number for Mafi could not be located and it wasn’t known Sunday if she has an attorney who could speak on her behalf.

Essayli posted a photo of someone in an FBI jacket escorting a woman into the back of a sedan outside a terminal at LAX.

Mafi is an Iranian national who became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in 2016, Essayli said.

A criminal complaint dated March 12 alleges that Mafi and an unnamed co-conspirator operated a company in Oman called Atlas International Business through which weapons and ammunition were trafficked. The company received over $7 million in payments in 2025.

Separately, Mafi and the co-conspirator brokered the sale of 55,000 bomb fuses to the Sudanese Ministry of Defense, according to the court documents.

“In connection with the transaction, Mafi submitted a letter of intent to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (‘IRGC’) to purchase the bomb fuses for Sudan,” the complaint said.

Mafi is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Monday. If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison.

The Sudanese civil war has created a humanitarian crisis in the North African country where food supplies are dwindling and millions of people have fled their homes.

And this is the nub of it: history.

Alex Higgins and baby daughter Lauren in 1982. Dennis Taylor wagging his finger in ’85. Ronnie O’Sullivan’s five-minute maximum. White the exasperated nearly man. The dominant Davis and Stephen Hendry decades.

Rob Maul covers snooker for the Sun and Shane McDermott has been a mainstay of the media room for the Mirror.

As Maul says: “You can’t ignore the history. It’s a pilgrimage I’ve done since 2018 and I feel honoured to do it, but there are people in that building who have done it for decades and decades and decades.

“That’s the unique thing about snooker: they’ve kept the Hendrys in the sport, and they’re still working. John Parrott’s commentating. And that legacy is something you don’t throw away lightly.

“When you walk around the city, you see Steve Davis, and Jimmy White will come by if he’s working. And so much has changed in other sports, but snooker’s fundamentally the same game that these legends were playing.”

McDermott says: “You see the same faces year on year, people who have been coming every year since 1977. Sadly some of them are coming less and less because of age.

“I can remember after matches perhaps nipping out of the press room for a minute and bumping into John Virgo as he left the commentary box. You’d have a little nod and say hello. That’s one thing everyone will miss this year.”

Faces in the crowd, faces in the commentary box, faces at the table. Here one year, gone the next.

In recent times, snooker has lost Virgo, Ray Reardon, Willie Thorne and Terry Griffiths, among others. Broadcaster and journalist Clive Everton and Bafta-nominated former BBC snooker executive producer Nick Hunter have left us too.

The booming voice and laughter of Thorne, the gentle humour of Griffiths, the wisdom of Everton, the dry wit of Virgo.

They were part of the fixtures and fittings.

And in their own particular ways, they each played a telling role in the Crucible becoming what it was never built to be: snooker’s home.