By Clive Jones BBC Sport at Wembley

Watch the closing stages of the match

Mark Williams ended Paul Hunter's hopes of a hat-trick of wins in the B&H Masters with a 6-3 win in the semi-finals at Wembley on Saturday afternoon.

Williams, who lost out to Hunter in last year's final, proved too strong in a high-class encounter.

Both players exchanged solid breaks as Williams took a 4-3 lead before a crucial eighth frame which proved decisive.

Hunter missed a pink which would have made it 4-4, but snookered Williams in the process.

I've had a good season but I know I will have to play well in the final Mark Williams

However, Williams screwed the cue ball around the black to pot it and followed up with the black to take a crucial 5-3 lead and break Hunter's resistance.

Williams admitted that the match turned on Hunter's missed pink.

"That was a massive turning point in the match, " said the 1998 champion.

"He should have potted the pink and I think his head dropped after that.

"He is a top-class player and it is nice to beat the best players. I've had a good season but I know I will have to play well in the final."

Hunter was not too downbeat after his defeat.

"It was a bit scrappy at times and we both made a lot of mistakes but it has got to be expected out there," he said.

"But I am happy with the way I played and it was a good match."

The second semi-final, on Saturday evening, sees Stephen Hendry take on Ken Doherty.