Fiery cuemen Ronnie O'Sullivan and Andy Hicks finished honours even in their Embassy World Championship clash at the Crucible yesterday evening.

Both tried to gain a psychological edge in the first session to their best-of-25-frames second-round clash at Sheffield.

But Hicks ensured the 'Rocket' did not win the mind games - or the battle on the baize.

An incident-filled session ended all-square at 4-4 with O'Sullivan chalking up two centuries and Hicks one as they slugged it out toe-to-toe.

O'Sullivan was back at the table just a day after completing his first round win over Stephen Maguire, a victory overshadowed by an obscene one-finger gesture in the middle of the match.

The world number three kept his hand firmly on his cue yesterday though he clearly riled Hicks by walking out of the arena in frame three with his opponent still at the table.

But Plymouth-based Hicks - who stood toe-to-toe with Quinten Hann on Sunday with the Australian threatening to take him outside for a fight - was not to be upstaged.

So, with O'Sullivan putting the final touches to frame four, Hicks stood up, told referee Paul Collier he was conceding the frame and went off for his interval cuppa.

However, there was no hint the matter would escalate into another near brawl. Indeed, the duo later sat side-by-side, chatting amicably while the balls were being reracked for another frame.

Hicks threatened to seize the initiative by taking a 4-2 lead, helped by a break of 116 in frame six.

And he might have then have stretched his advantage to three frames.

However, he allowed O'Sullivan in for a colour clearance before the 2001 world champion showed all his natural cueing talent in frame eight.

He broke off left-handed and also made the bulk of a 101 run the same way.

O'Sullivan makes a regular habit of using both 'wings.'

He was once accused of gamesmanship by French Canadian Alain Robidoux at the Crucible for switching sides but it soon became evident he can play equally efficiently both ways.

Despite conceding the last two frames Hicks, himself a left-hander, will be pleased to be on level terms starting today's second eight-frame session.

Meanwhile, Paul Hunter sent John Parrott back to his television couch after completing victory in the penultimate first-round match.

Parrott made the most of his 21st successive Sheffield appearance but Masters champion Hunter eventually took a hard-earned 10-7 victory.

The 1991 winner said: ''I was like an old boxer who had the ringcraft but didn't have a punch.''

Indeed, the 39-year-old Liverpudlian made just two half-centuries in the five-hour contest while Hunter knocked in two tons, including a tournament high of 132, plus other runs of 71, 55, 64, 58 and 90.

Veteran Parrott continued: ''It was all about containment, especially in the first session yesterday.

''I didn't want to find myself 7-2 or 8-1 down.

''The 14th frame was massive because I bossed it entirely before twitching on one into the middle.

''However, Paul comes out with a lot of credit. There were a couple of outrageous blacks he potted I wouldn't have wanted to get for my life.

''And I'm sure he will be better for a tough match like that.''

Hunter now plays his best pal Matthew Stevens for a potential quarter-final against defending champion Mark Williams