That 1985 final and learning to appreciate the game of snooker

Table talk / Alsy / 16 April 2008 / Leave a Comment

Morgan in the driving seat - Allsy recalls watching Dennis Taylor take out Steve Davis in one of the greatest comebacks ever and thinks about the qualities needed to excel in the game of snooker

As a youngster snooker always struck me as a sport for old men. Smoke-filled rooms, muted observers and coloured balls! I just couldn't see the attraction of any sport that could potentially be played in a library (if only they sold beer and fags).

Then in 1985 I found myself watching a World Championship Final along with 18.5 million UK compatriots. As Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor played out one of the greatest finals ever I realized that snooker produced high drama, emotion, technical skills and required bravery and bags of mental strength.

For the first time that year, a World Championship was decided on the final black of the final frame. It took an incredible seven attempts before the black finally fell. A certain Champions League night in Istanbul rates at the top of my 'sporting comebacks' but Taylor's victory (coming from 8-0 down against the game's dominant force) ranks a close second.

As the best players in the world gather for the infamous tournament we all know what is required to win. Every player needs dedication but the winner will have to draw from deep reservoirs of patience and concentration. That was certainly the case last year when John Higgins almost squandered an overnight 12-4 lead against Mark Selby before winning his second World Championship title.

We now know that Higgins possesses plenty of fortitude but 'consistency' is also on any wish-list of requirements. Higgins was anything but consistent in the lead up to last year's tournament. His technique seemed flawed but, despite only reaching one major semi-final that year, he won at the Crucible. You can back Higgins at [1.48] to win his first round match against Mathew Stevens and at [14] to defend his title but few observers predict a repeat of last year's results, especially since Stevens has a good record against Higgins.

There's certainly plenty of talent; aggressive and pro-active, Selby and Ding Junhui are superb potters of the ball while Shaun Murphy's cue action is straight out of a coaching manual. When it comes to defense, players like Peter Ebdon have awesome levels of concentration, resilience and down-right stubbornness.

In Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis we have two players who set new standards in terms of consistency. They have twelve World Championship titles between them but now younger players like Shaun Murphy, Stephen Maguire and Mark Selby seem best equipped to cause problems for fan favourite, Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Many are tipping Mark Selby to claim his first World Championship and I number among them. Always an outstanding potter, his all-round game has improved significantly over the past 18 months. Every player at the tournament knows how to clear a table but Selby's brave decision making ensures he'll be a favourite to watch and my favourite to win this year.

You can back Selby to win the tournament at a hugely tempting [7.4]. After winning the Wembley Masters and Welsh Open already this season I feel Selby is up there with any rival on current form.

When I say any rival, I mean Ronnie O'Sullivan in particular. We cannot have a discussion on form, technique and mental fortitude without him.
His excesses and outbursts have been well documented over the years but in my eyes he remains the man to beat wherever he plays (or chooses not to play).

Does O'Sullivan have an equal based on pure talent? According to punters 'probably not' as plenty will back him at [4.8] to win another title.
Nevertheless, despite his obvious genius O'Sullivan has often made a round-one exit from this tournament. His vision and cue skills make him the main draw in snooker but he only has two World Championships to his name.

This year I predict that Selby will come of age and O'Sullivan will go out in a blaze of glorious defeat.