Trump leads Hawkins 5-3 in UK Championship final

Judd Trump is on course to claim a second UK Championship title after establishing a 5-3 lead over Barry Hawkins in the first session of Sunday’s final at the Barbican in York.

World number one Trump, who is aiming for his 30th success in ranking events, won his only previous UK title in 2011.

The 35-year-old left-hander took the opening frame with a break of 73 but was twice hauled back by Hawkins, who made a superb 116 and produced a 70 clearance to level at 2-2 heading into the mid-session interval.

Trump then accelerated clear, enjoying a run of 102 as he reeled off the next three frames in a row for a healthy lead.

However, qualifier Hawkins, who entered the auditorium to a huge roar barely 12 hours after the conclusion of his gruelling semi-final victory against Mark Allen, displayed great resolve to reduce his arrears with a break of 81.

He will though, have headed back to his dressing room rueing several missed opportunities to make the contest even closer.

The 45-year-old failed to convert chances to score heavily in three of the frames he eventually lost.

Uncharacteristic misses on the black to the left middle in the fifth frame and a green to top left corner in the sixth frame will particularly rankle as he aims to win his first Triple Crown event, 28 years after turning professional.

Play will resume at 19:00 GMT with the winner of the best-of-19 encounter earning a top prize of £250,000.