BARRY Hawkins’ memorable year on the green baize continued after victory over Shaun Murphy secured his place in the quarter-finals of the UK Championship.

Hawkins, who earlier this year reached the final of the World Championship, beat the former world champion 6-5 after a break of 70 in the final frame helped him to victory.

Also through to the quarter-finals is Scotland’s Stephen Maguire who had too much for four-times world champion John Higgins, winning 6-3.

The defeat extends Higgins slump in form with his last quarter-final appearance at a ranking event going back nearly six months ago in June when he played in the Wuxi Classic.

Day 8 of the UK Championship saw the third round come to a close as Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby, Ding Junhui and Neil Robertson all booked their place into the last 16 stage.

Mark Allen thwarted off two strong comebacks from Nottingham potter Michael Holt to scrape his way into the fourth round

Robert Milkins set up a thrilling last 16 match against Ronnie O’Sullivan after thrashing Matthew Stevens 6-1.

But there was no such joy for Mark Williams who suffered an agonising 6-5 defeat to Ricky Walden who impressively hit a break of 137 in the deciding frame to claim victory.

Amateur Mitchell Travis’ brilliant run in this competition ended after he suffered a 6-1 defeat to David Morris. The defeat brought an end to Travis’ run after beating Marco Fu and Kurt Maflin in previous rounds.

UK Championship 2013 – Last 16 Draw

Mark SELBY vs Graeme DOTT
Barry HAWKINS 6-5 Shaun MURPHY
Judd TRUMP vs Mark ALLEN
Ricky WALDEN vs Ding JUNHUI
Neil ROBERTSON vs Joe PERRY
Stephen MAGUIRE 6-3 John HIGGINS
David MORRIS vs Stuart BINGHAM
Robert MILKINS vs Ronnie O’SULLIVAN