Ronnie O'Sullivan stopped from quitting Welsh Open snooker by Rod Lawler's unique act of sportsmanship

There is a memorable match, some might describe it as infamously hilarious, at the German Masters a decade ago that sums up the danger of throwing in the towel in professional sport before the mind has digested defeat. Maltese speed merchant Tony Drago and Alan McManus, the 1994 Masters champion, no longer compete on the main professional snooker circuit, but the death throes of a qualifying contest won 5-4 by McManus in November 2012 remains a unique piece of snooker gold.

Ad Trailing 65-41 on the final three colours, Drago manages to brilliantly produce the two snookers he requires to collect 11 points in fouls before sizing up an easy pot on a free ball pink, chasing blue, pink and black for victory. Welsh Open'You could not make this up!' — O’Sullivan’s tip flies off yet again21 HOURS AGO He somehow misses the pink and watches as the white lands nicely on blue in baulk.

Rather than let the studious Scotsman see out the match, Drago shakes hands in a state of childish annoyance before deciding that there is a bit more life in proceedings when he reflects on the pot McManus is left to seal victory. Realising the error of his ways, he wonders if the match can continue, with Aussie referee Paul Cosgriff informing him that he faces a £250 fine for conceding while there are enough points on the table to win.

The match official asks McManus if he is happy to take the concession and he duly accepts, leaving Drago drowning in dejection. Cutting an animated figure in the corner of the room, more Harold Lloyd than Dave Harold, he farcically slaps his head (see the end of the video clip below), clearly furious with his own act of self-harm.