Swail angered by Crucible table

Swail was fuming after his defeat

Joe Swail described the snooker table he played on as an "absolute joke" following his 10-5 defeat to Matthew Stevens at the World Championship.

The Northern Ireland player believes a number of 'kicks' affected his form.

"I'm absolutely disgusted with the table. There was a 'kick' every other shot," he said.

"When you're on a break and trying to win a frame the last thing you want to worry about is getting a 'kick'. It's an absolute joke."

Stevens agreed with his opponent, although he was less venomous in his criticism.

"There were loads of 'kicks', every fifth or sixth shot it seemed, and it was frustrating," said the Welshman.

"But it's the same for both players and there's nothing you can do apart from get on with it."