I spent a couple of hours today watching highlights of the 1985 world final.
This wasn't for fun: I'm reviewing a new DVD featuring the entire final frame between Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis.
It's not great stuff: Taylor's highest break is 22, Davis's 25.
By this decider they were each so desperate not to lose that they became engaged in a lengthy safety battle on the reds that seemed to go on forever.
However, once it came down to the colours it was absolutely gripping, even though I obviously knew who was going to win.
Much has been written about the black ball finish but the brown, blue and pink Taylor potted to take the Championship down to the very last ball were all unbelievable pots given the circumstances.
7 comments:
Dave,
I do understand the pressure the players were under, but Davis did miss a 'simple' black in the final frame, that I doubt many players would miss today, even under the most extreme pressure. Then again, look what happened to Greg Norman in the 1996 US Masters...
I need a question answered (on an entirely different subject altogether): When qualifying for snooker tournaments was moved from Blackpool to Prestatyn I thought that was for good and all qualifiers would be under one roof. So, how come there are some in Prestatyn, Masters qualifying taking place elsewhere, and a new building of excellence opened in Sheffied. Confused? Surely, it'll be a whole lot easier to put the players under one roof, rather than having them travelling overnight, like some probably did last Friday into Saturday.
Thanks, Joe
I think any of today's players could miss the black under pressure.
They're playing the qualifiers at Sheffield to 'try it out' but as you say, the scheduling left a lot to be desired.
Dave,
Can you tell me how much Stuart Bingham won for winning the Masters Championship? In the past it used to be around £4,000. Presumbly that is because of what you would've earned for a being a first round loser at Wembley.
It's odd because the masters qualifying is a tournament within a tournament. Am I right in thinking that the Regal Masters used to have a similar tournament-within-a-tournament system for qualifying? Did any others exist because none do now, do they?
Thanks, Joe
When is the new Snooker Scene out?
It's out now: it was delayed by a week to include coverage of the Grand Prix
Bingham is guaranteed £2,000 for getting to Wembley.
The Scottish Masters did indeed have a qualifying event as well.
thanks, joe
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