White claims seniors crown
Jimmy White finally got his hands on a world title as he beat Steve Davis 4-1 to claim the World Seniors Championship.
Last Updated: 07/11/10 6:38pm
After so many near misses during his career, Jimmy White finally got his hands on a world title as he beat Steve Davis to claim the Wyldecrest Park Homes World Seniors Championship.
The Whirlwind beat fellow snooker legend Davis 4-1 in the final of the new event in Bradford to scoop the £20,000 first prize.
White produced a vintage performance in an emphatic victory over old adversary Davis at the Cedar Court Hotel, to avenge some old losses at the Crucible.
48-year-old White lost to Davis in the 1984 World Championship final and was denied the trophy six times at the Crucible - but can now count the World Seniors title among his list of honours.
A break of 45 helped White to the first frame. Davis made a 52 in the second before missing a red to a centre pocket, and his opponent stepped in with a superb 53 clearance. Londoner White extended his lead with a flawless 89.
Mistake
He had a clear chance to settle it in frame four but accidentally feathered the white as he cued up for the final yellow at 34-46. Davis cleared to keep his hopes alive, but White dominated frame five with a top run of 44 for victory.
"I'm delighted, I had to be on my game because Steve was also playing well," said White.
"When I feathered the white in the fourth I thought 'here we go again', but I managed to keep it together. My safety was very good and that's what won it for me.
"I've been putting a lot of hard work in recently, I've still got a lot of enthusiasm and I love playing.
"I'll be back on the table tomorrow and heading to Germany later this week for the EPTC event, and hopefully keeping this form going.
"This has been a brilliant event, all the players have had a lot of fun and it's been great entertainment for the fans. Hopefully it will become a regular event and I'll get the chance to defend the title."
Six-times World Champion Davis added: "Jimmy was superb, he put me under it from ball one. Missing the red in the second frame was expensive for me, but he seemed to play as well as ever."
