SHEFFIELD (England), April 29 Snooker great Stephen Hendry became the oldest player to make a maximum clearance in a ranking tournament on Tuesday when he rattled in a 147 break in the seventh frame of his World Championship quarter-final against Shaun Murphy at the Crucible Theatre.

The 40-year-old seven-time champion`s clearance of 15 reds and 15 blacks plus all the colours, saw him take a 5-2 lead over Murphy, who won the title in 2005, in their best of 25-frame contest.

However, Murphy seemed to be stung into action by the Scots cuesman`s remarkable effort and he won seven of the next nine frames to take a 9-7 overnight lead heading into Wednesday`s final session.

Hendry`s maximum break was only the ninth at the Crucible since the world championships moved there in 1977 and his second at the tournament, to go alongside his 1995 effort against Jimmy White.

But there was a nervy moment on the way to Hendry`s ninth career maximum when the final black wobbled in the jaws of the pocket before dropping in to the delight of spectators.

“It`s a tremendous feeling and I`m absolutely delighted,” Hendry said.

Hendry, bidding for his first world title since 1999, now stands to win 157,000 pounds ($229,193) for this break alone provided no one else in this tournament manages a maximum clearance, in which case the prize money for the highest break of the championship will be shared.

The first 147 at the Crucible was made by Canada`s Cliff Thorburn in 1983 with White equalling the feat in 1992.

Then came Hendry`s effort before reigning world champion Ronnie O`Sullivan, already out of this year`s tournament, scored the first of his three maximums in 1997.

Mark Williams and Ali Carter have also potted their way to 147s at the Crucible. Last year was the first time two players had both made maximums in the same World Championship at the Yorkshire venue, with both Carter and O`Sullivan reaching the landmark.The winner of the Hendry Murphy contest will play either Australia`s Neil Robertson or Scotland`s Stephen Maguire - the Aussie led that match 5-3 overnight.

O`Sullivan`s conqueror Mark Allen of Northern Ireland looked to be on the way to the last four for the first time as he led Ryan Day of Wales 9-7.

Two-time champion John Higgins of Scotland fought back from 3-0 against Mark Selby to lead 4-3 before his English opponent rattled in a 96 break to add to three centuries for himself already in the match to ensure they went to bed at 4-4.

Latest scores

Quarter-finals (best of 25 frames)

John Higgins (Scotland) level with Mark Selby (England) 4-4; Shaun Murphy (England) leads Stephen Hendry (Scotland) 9-7; Mark Allen (Northern Ireland) leads Ryan Day (Wales) 9-7; Neil Robertson (Australia) leads Stephen Maguire (Scotland 5-3.—AFP