Kirk Stevens: Maximum At The Masters – instant Classic

Imagine it’s 1984 and a veteran actor such as Donald Sutherland was interested in watching a frame of snooker. He turns up and watches perhaps one of the best frames of snooker he could ever hope to see, all while trying to understand what was exactly happening. Well, this was the case as the father of Jack Bauer bore witness to an absolute Instant Classic at the 1984 Masters.

It was the tenth edition of the Masters and the atmosphere was already lively as Kirk Stevens and Jimmy White went head-to-head to determine who would reach the final of the event. White was in the lead for the whole match, yet many will probably choose to remember the magic of the ninth frame. White broke off, and Stevens took care of the rest.

The break itself wasn’t exactly memorable in the sense that Stevens was constantly running out of position and had to make recovery pots. Instead, it was a well-constructed break where Stevens always had a grip on his cue ball control. There were two shots which stuck out to me during the maximum break.

Firstly, after splitting the reds, his shot on the ninth red was one that I don’t think we would see players attempt these days. Even if current players were on course for a 147, they most likely would play this next shot in order to play position for a baulk colour or the blue. Stevens, on the other hand, confidently played his shot to allow the cue ball to travel up and down the table to fall near the black.

The next shot and perhaps the most recognised in the break was the positional shot from green to brown as he was clearing the colours. After falling short of his intended destination following a rest shot on the yellow, Stevens found himself on the baulk line parallel to the green. The brown was above its spot and Stevens expertly judged the pacing of this shot to recoil off three cushions and fall near the brown. Four shots later and the roof came off the place.

This is still such a highlight to this day because it was only the third 147 made in competition by this point. Steve Davis and Cliff Thorburn were the only ones before Stevens to have accomplished this feat in a professional tournament. And after each shot, the anticipation of the crowd was palpable as they were witnessing a spectacle that had only been seen a couple of times before. The event, the players involved, the unforgettable white suit and the perfect break – an Instant Classic. White would go on to win the Masters that year as well as reach his first World Championship final.

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Ronnie O’Sullivan vs. John Higgins Masters Final 2006 – Instant Classic

The Masters final in 2006 is one of those matches that will always be referenced by snooker fans as one of the finest the sport has witnessed. A match that consisted of swings and roundabouts, shifts in momentum and a finish that left fans on the edge of their seats. This final, and particularly the decider, is the very definition of an Instant Classic.

Aided by two strong centuries, O’Sullivan stormed into a 3-0 lead, but Higgins didn’t take this lying down. He hit back in similar fashion by taking the next five frames to lead the opening session 5-3. O’Sullivan was able to level the score-line despite being two frames down on two occasions, before eventually levelling once again at 8-8 on a thrilling black ball frame.

O’Sullivan was able to take the lead for the first time in the match since it commenced as he found himself one frame away from successfully defending his Masters title which, funnily enough, was against Higgins in the previous year, where the result was far more one-sided. However, Higgins in true form wasn’t going to let this one get away from him as a break of 40 forced a decider in what was already a match to be remembered.

All deciding frames have the elements of drama and suspense that typically come with a one-frame shootout however, on this occasion stakes and the tension were far more palpable. It was a major final that involved the two top players of the decade playing at the top of their game as they displayed their respective strengths throughout the match. O’Sullivan with his formidable break-building and long pots (3 centuries and 7 50+ breaks) and Higgins with his crushing tactical prowess.

However, this deciding frame came down to nerve. Despite being in first with a brilliant pack split, O’Sullivan broken down on a break of 60 with a tricky cut to the top left corner. There were still 75 points on the table but it was a tall ask under the insurmountable pressure. The opening red that Higgins potted to begin his epic 64 clearance almost wasn’t to be, as the red just about had the pace to eventually roll into the right centre.

The rest of the break was a matter of composure and bottle. And Higgins demonstrated that in abundance. The memorable feat of this break that most remember is the fantastic double on the final red that Higgins took on. It wasn’t a double he was forced to take on by falling out of position; rather it was a shot he intentionally left himself to give him a slight chance of continuing the break that could win him the Masters. It was an enormous risk, but one clearly worth taking on.

And the rest of the match is history (literally). Higgins went on to expertly clear the remainder of the colours with one of the greatest breaks of his career as he avenged his prior year loss. The crowd were behind both players as they appreciated the classic that just witnessed as Higgins lifted his second Masters trophy in a contest that is still vividly remembered to this day.

Do you remember this match? Which other matches or moments go down in your mind as Instant Classics?

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One of the Best Days in Snooker Ever? – Instant Classic

It may not be until a week or so post World Championship by the time this releases but I am writing this up almost immediately after semi-finals day (14th August following the final sessions of both semis) while everything is still lingering in my head. I have a feeling that WSC 2020 semi-finals will easily be remembered as one of the best days in snooker history and I’m still trying to collect my thoughts. So what happened?

Wilson vs. McGill

McGill had the advantage with a 16-15 lead over Wilson although, The Warrior (aptly named) edged back to a point where the pair produced one of the best deciding frame thrillers ever seen in snooker (not just Crucible) history! McGill found himself snookered at one point where he conceded 35 points in fouls and looked to be eliminated from this alone. What an awful way to lose the semi-final if that did turn out to be the case.

Nevertheless, the frame went on until an incredulous fluke on the green by Wilson left McGill requiring snookers. In such a dramatic atmosphere, the last thing a player wants is to win in this way, and Wilson clearly shared this notion. Ultimately, the final frame came down to pink and black in which Wilson potted the pink he required to reach the final, with a final score of 103-83. Yes, THAT was the score-line.

The pair embraced in a handshake at the close of the match (if you’re reading at a future date, this occurred during peak virus times), which was wonderful to watch as a spectator. It was already being coined by commentators and pundits as one of the greatest final frames they’ve ever seen and it shows that you don’t need to have big names to produce long-lasting moments. If only the day ended with that…

O’Sullivan vs. Selby

I don’t even know where to begin with this one. With the exception of the first session, Selby led O’Sullivan the whole match, and this included the final session up to the, you guessed it, deciding frame. Selby garnered a 16-14 lead on his ‘unpredictable’ opponent and the only reason he even got to 16 was due to O’Sullivan basically throwing the frames at him. I’m talking ‘hit and hope’ snooker escapes and more than ambitious potting efforts.

But what transpired from 16-14 was magical. Truly. O’Sullivan was clearly resigned to losing the match as he was outplayed for the most part, particularly in the second session, however was able to keep at the heels of Selby despite being 13-9 down at one point. But whether it was desperation (his words) that led to the inspiring performance that followed or otherwise, we saw a little of peak O’Sullivan shine through.

O’Sullivan cleared the next two frames; the first with a 7 minute or so 138, followed by a 71 to set-up a decider with a shell-shocked Selby. Completely bemused, Selby, who had the final in his hands, was now teetering on the edge. And O’Sullivan was in first with an excellent series of opening pots which led to a 64 break. Unfortunately, he couldn’t finish in the one clearance which led to a near comeback from his opponent. And from there was one incredible bout of safety and snooker escapes which culminated to the brilliant final red that O’Sullivan potted to secure his first world final for six years.

While his style was erratic, it clearly stumped Selby. And it took ‘going out on the attack’ to a whole new meaning. However, what some may overlook is that O’Sullivan’s potting, especially from range, saw a significant improvement in the final session. The long opening pots he took on in the last few frames were literal match-losers if he missed. But he didn’t.

Stephen Hendry was a busy man this day as he commentated on both endeavours and everyone was just in shock and awe with what they had just witnessed in the day’s events. I honestly wish I could describe it better and my words are probably all over the place writing this. All I can do is implore you to watch the deciding frame of the Wilson/McGill match and the final four frames or so of the O’Sullivan/Selby contest.

I can comfortably say without regret that World Snooker Championship 2020 semi-final day was one of the best in snooker (not just Crucible) history. I will recall this day for years to come as an Instant Classic, a Throwback, a Shorts Thoughts and just everything all in one. I’m still trying to process it.

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Willie Thorne vs. Stephen Hendry 1986 – Instant Classic

We were all recently stunned to hear the terrible news regarding the passing of Mr Maximum, Willie Thorne. As we are all quite disheartened by this event, I thought we could reminisce upon one of his great matches, which requires us to roll back to 1986; where experienced Thorne had one of his toughest matches in Round 1 of the World Championship against debutant, Stephen Hendry.

It’s hard to believe Hendry as a Crucible debutant; it just doesn’t sound right. But the King of the Crucible had to be introduced to the tournament at some point. At this point in time, he was the youngest entrant to compete at the WSC, aged 17 years old. And his opponent? Seasoned and in-form Thorne. Thorne had just come off a run of two finals against Steve Davis, in the UK Championship and British Open. Probably not Hendry’s first choice of opponent, right?

Actually, Hendry had Thorne on the ropes straight off the bat. Hendry developed a 3-1 lead before Thorne was able to tough it out and overturn this deficit to win the opening session 5-4. This was partly helped by a fantastical fluke on the green in the final frame of the session – a frame which could have gone either way. However, Hendry wasn’t going without a fight.

It was a closely fought battle for the remainder of the evening with neither player gaining a two frame lead until the very end (with the exception of the first frame of the evening session). Despite Hendry being in his infancy and not coming into his century-making reputation just yet, it was clearly evident what was to come from his excellent long pots and skill at that young age. Although, it was a match winning clear-up from Thorne in the final frame in which Hendry was trying to force a decider that allowed Mr Maximum to win the match 10-8.

While it may not be an Instant Classic match for most, what happened at the end was the personal highlight, and what made me garner a new found appreciation for WT. As Thorne and Hendry shook hands, Thorne was sincerely applauding Hendry along with the rest of the crowd as he exited the arena. It was such an incredible show of respect from Thorne to someone who gave him such a tough match – which he acknowledged in the post-match interview – and a person who he suspected would be the future champion he then turned into. It’s a gesture you don’t see at all unless in the closing ceremony of a finals where players are obligated to applaud one another, which is what made this moment very special.

Thanks Willie for your contributions to snooker, both on and off the table. Whilst we are all feeling a little loopy at the news of your passing, we know you’re chalking it up with the greats in another place.

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Like this Short? Click here to read: Alex Higgins: The 69 Break – Instant Classic

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