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Re: Is anyone interested in old World Championship scores?

Postby badtemperedcyril

Empire State Human wrote:What is up with that trophy Higgins is receiving from Pulman? That is not the World Championship trophy.
Good observations ESH. It’s the PBPA World Professional Matchplay Championship trophy. You know the “breakaway” body of professional players staged their own world championship between 1952 and 57 which became universally regarded as the real thing... well, that body was revived in the late 60’s and pretty much ran the championships thereafter albeit with the sanctions of the BA&CC (later renamed the B&SCC). In 1971 the PBPA was renamed the WPBSA and declared its autonomy over the professional game. One can only assume the original trophy was owned by the the B&SCC and so still in their possession at the time of the ‘72 final. The original trophy came back into use the following year.

I wonder what became of the PBPA trophy?

Re: Is anyone interested in old World Championship scores?

Postby PLtheRef

Muller wrote:I think the 30 and 40 breaks are quite revealing as I think a 30 then was as good as a 50 now, given conditions. I look forward to seeing them!

Wasn't one of the 65 matches in SA decided on the flip of a coin?!


I think I've heard that one before, wasn't it that one one night there were no spectators at all.

Re: Is anyone interested in old World Championship scores?

Postby badtemperedcyril

PLtheRef wrote:
Muller wrote:I think the 30 and 40 breaks are quite revealing as I think a 30 then was as good as a 50 now, given conditions. I look forward to seeing them!

Wasn't one of the 65 matches in SA decided on the flip of a coin?!


I think I've heard that one before, wasn't it that one one night there were no spectators at all.

Yes, I’ve heard that too. I believe Clive Everton may have mentioned it in one of his history books.

I’d love to know the frame scores because it was a mammoth series. I think actually it was scheduled to be 51 matches but they only played 47, Pulman led 25-22. If each match was best of 7 or 9, that’s in the region of four hundred frames. I read somewhere, when they were mid way though, a report that whilst Pulman was leading the series, he had been unable thus far to register a century break, while Williams had made thirteen, including a new Championship record of 142.

Re: Is anyone interested in old World Championship scores?

Postby badtemperedcyril

Muller wrote:Cyril, I say this in all seriousness, have you given any thought to writing a book about the pre-Crucible era WC? There is a bit of gap in the market there I think and there are those who think snooker only began in 1977 or even later.

There is definitely a gap. Maybe I should. Still a lot of research to do first though.

Re: Is anyone interested in old World Championship scores?

Postby PLtheRef

badtemperedcyril wrote:
PLtheRef wrote:
Muller wrote:I think the 30 and 40 breaks are quite revealing as I think a 30 then was as good as a 50 now, given conditions. I look forward to seeing them!

Wasn't one of the 65 matches in SA decided on the flip of a coin?!


I think I've heard that one before, wasn't it that one one night there were no spectators at all.

Yes, I’ve heard that too. I believe Clive Everton may have mentioned it in one of his history books.

I’d love to know the frame scores because it was a mammoth series. I think actually it was scheduled to be 51 matches but they only played 47, Pulman led 25-22. If each match was best of 7 or 9, that’s in the region of four hundred frames. I read somewhere, when they were mid way though, a report that whilst Pulman was leading the series, he had been unable thus far to register a century break, while Williams had made thirteen, including a new Championship record of 142.


I'm fairly sure there was one other year where the Championship was contested over the Best of x matches - think it was one of Pulman's defences against Fred Davis.

Re: Is anyone interested in old World Championship scores?

Postby Muller

badtemperedcyril wrote:
Muller wrote:Cyril, I say this in all seriousness, have you given any thought to writing a book about the pre-Crucible era WC? There is a bit of gap in the market there I think and there are those who think snooker only began in 1977 or even later.

There is definitely a gap. Maybe I should. Still a lot of research to do first though.



I would read it!

Re: Is anyone interested in old World Championship scores?

Postby badtemperedcyril

1973 PARK DRIVE WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

FINAL
24th – 28th April, 1973
City Exhibition Hall, Deansgate, Manchester

RAY REARDON (Wales) 38-32 EDDIE CHARLTON (Australia)

Frame scores (Reardon first): -
Session 1 31-74; 17-70(58); 21-93(49); 28-72; 60(34)-68(30); 4-65(38); 45-71(41). (Charlton 7-0)
Session 2 102(84)-26; 65-38; 95(32)-29; 54-50; 29-68; 60-52; 4-81(77); 27-72. (Charlton 10-5)
Session 3 53-70(70); 55-48; 62-30; 20-64; 87(38,38)-16; 91(31)-47(33); 64(42)-31. (Charlton 12-10)
Session 4 92(68)-5; 84(66)-26; 33-59; 74(31,32)-41; 67-41; 86(70)-11; 67(36)-32; 69-19. (Reardon 17-13)
Session 5 22-68; 56-57; 81(41,34)-13; 19-65(43); 47-79(48); 74-28; 39-63. (Reardon 19-18)
Session 6 69-46; 71(50)-43(38); 39-66(51); 55(45)-45(30); 29-75(52); 42-60(37); 70-38; 66-25. (Reardon 24-21)
Session 7 15-54(54); 23-92(68); 72(67)-0; 62-70(38); 66(31)-38; 8-79(56); 61-8. (Reardon 27-25)
Session 8 25-95(38,30); 1-73(37,56); 25-73; 68(35)-28; 67(33)-35(30); 63-39(30); 12-60; 61-49. (Reardon 31-29)
Session 9 98(91)-18; 48-49; 58-20; 85(55)-11; 7-83(62); 67(51)-28; 69(63)-28. (Reardon 36-31)
Session 10 58-35; 30-55; 61(30)-40(32). (Reardon 38-32)


Referee: Shared. Bill Timms officiated the final day.

Re: Is anyone interested in old World Championship scores?

Postby badtemperedcyril

Muller wrote:Great stuff again Cyril! Reardon really did get stronger as the match progressed didn't he?

Yeh, the afternoon session on the last Saturday was when he made his charge for the line, increasing his 31-29 lead to 36-31 going into the final session. This session was all televised too. Although cameras had been present for one late session of the finals of 1953 and 1955, this coverage was far more extensive and occupied prime spot, taking up most of the days Grandstand programme.

Re: Is anyone interested in old World Championship scores?

Postby badtemperedcyril

Muller wrote:Yes there are a couple of clips on YT. Wish there was more.

This was controversial as well as Ray made a big complaint about the TV cameras.

Yes - I believe they installed the camera's and TV lights for the Friday evening (session 8). Snooker Scene reported:

"The fourth evening session broke the mould into which the match had settled. The unlikely agent of change was the television cameras, or rather the television lights under which it was obvious after only a few shots that Charlton could see and Reardon could not.
Charlton, who's boxer's eye-brows and heavy lidded eyes would offer more protection from the glare than the taller Reardon would receive, won the first two frames ridiculously easily 95-25 and 73-1.
Reardon, who had been looking angry and disturbed, then protested and two of the largest floodlights, which were needed for BBC's filming only to illuminate the crowd, were switched off.
The damage appeared to be done, however, when Charlton won the next frame to go one in front.
For the interval, Reardon was shepherded off to the tournament director's office by Simon Weaver. The press hovered like vultures for Reardon to reappear, having already composed headlines like Reardon Walks Out, but when he reappeared he seemed completely composed and won three tense frames to go two in front.
Charlton won the next but some fine individual pots on the colours, including a nasty clinching pink from under the cushion, gave Reardon a two-frame advantage 31-29, going into the last day."

Re: Is anyone interested in old World Championship scores?

Postby badtemperedcyril

1974 PARK DRIVE WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

FINAL

23rd – 25th April, 1974
Belle Vue, Manchester


RAY REARDON (Stoke) 22-12 GRAHAM MILES (Birmingham)

Frame scores (Reardon first): -
Session 1 59(42)-68; 31-64; 58-45(44); 94(44)-27; 5-101(101); 92(51,41)-31; 71(31)-37(35). Reardon 4-3
Session 2 81(60)-52(43); 102(43)-25; 63-64; 78(40)-48; 70(35)-36; 22-81(43); 68(33,31)-42. Reardon 9-5
Session 3 19-95(37); 99(46,53)-7; 93(42)-45; 78(58)-34; 28-64(34); 100(76)-31; 99(97)-13. Reardon 14-7
Session 4 78-14; 51-64; 52-61; 68(32)-75; 61(48)-25; 54(49)-64; 110(40)-23. Reardon 17-11
Session 5 91(57)-26; 63-36; 82-9; 45-80; 81-44; 74-61. Reardon 22-12

Referee: Bill Timms.

Image

Re: Is anyone interested in old World Championship scores?

Postby badtemperedcyril

World Professional Snooker Championship

Title Challenge Match

15th – 21st March, 1965
Burroughes Hall, 19 Soho Square, London W1

(Phone GERrard 3347)

JOHN PULMAN (England) 37-36 FRED DAVIS (England)

Day 1 With both players warming up, Fred led first by 7-5, with 2 breaks of 58 being his best efforts. Pulman found his most fluent form in frame 2, taking it 126-4 (breaks 22,34,22). Davis 7-5

Day 2 Pulman was on top, winning 8-4, with breaks of 61,51,45 and 46 to establish a 13-11 lead. Lots of safety play – often 6 or 7 consecutive safety returns to baulk. Pulman 13-11

Day 3 Fred controlled the exchanges and breaks of 79,74,66 and 51 brought him up to 18-18. Pulman’s breaks were 56 and 61. The standard of play was by now exceptional. 18-18

Day 4 The match was turning into a ding-dong battle. Pulman made the most brilliant and vital shot of the match in the 40th frame, to draw level 20-20. He potted the black along the full length of the baulk cushion from a narrow angle. Davis took the afternoon 4-2 (breaks 46,67 and 49). Pulman took the evening with brilliant attacking snooker. In frame 45 he made a break of 112. He took the 47th easily, 87-9 (51 break). Frame 48 was the most thrilling of the match. Fred led 57-26, with two reds left. After he had purposefully tucked up pink and black on the side cushion, Pulman made a wonder break of 30, to rescue both balls; all on the black, and after six beautifully executed safety shots by both players, ended with Pulman cutting the black in to the top left pocket with the cue-ball just 2 inches from the right baulk pocket. A full house nearly lifted roof off with applause! It was the finest session of the match – some said in the history of the event! 24-24

Day 5 Each of the 12 frames was won by the player who managed to break into the pack. Again, superb snooker throughout! In the 5th frame of the afternoon, Pulman led 54-17, just two reds left. Fred potted a wonder red, followed up with a 37 break to level the scores 54-all and requiring a re-spotted black. At the third attempt, Pulman cuts the black into the left baulk pocket but the cue-ball goes around the table into the top left corner: Very bad luck for Pulman but Fred overdue for a slice of luck. In frame 59, Fred compiled a magical break of 105. The break started with 6 reds and blacks. The last two reds, difficult, having to be kissed off the cushion: all obstacles surmounted, only to get a bad position on the yellow, which stays on the lip of the pocket from a thin cut, with a 132 on. Fred makes further breaks of 54,37 and 32, while Pulman’s best for the session were 45 and 37. 30-30

Day 6 Pulman won 3 of the first 4 frames to lead 33-31, chiefly through excellent long potting during a period of tense play. The balls run unfavourably for both players with the colours tucked away. Fred seized his solitary scoring opportunity in frame 63, which he won 70-44, with a 43 break. Fred then also won frames 65 and 66 convincingly (83-36 and 66-13) with Pulman having few chances. 33 frames-all with one session to go!
Pulman took the first frame, 75-62 (breaks 34 and 22) but Fred won the second, 71-39 (breaks 20 and 34). Pulman regains the lead in a low scoring 69th, 61-19. Fred draws level again, in a dramatic frame, on the black, 59-50. Fred is first away, leading 24-0. Pulman takes a red and pink but tucks himself up on the cushion. He misses an attacking shot. Fred takes advantage and extends his lead to 57-12 with just two reds left and despite a late do or die flurry from Pulman, Fred gets a chance and doesn’t miss. Fred leads 36-35 with two to go. One slip now and Pulman is an ex-champion. Frame 72, Pulman scores 27 and 23 to win the frame 69-40. The match is 36-all and the spectators are on the edge of their seats.
The 73rd and final frame: Fred breaks and after 2 safety shots each, Fred makes the first mistake when his safety return catches a red near the blue spot. Pulman scored 4 reds and blacks (32 break) but Davis got in with small visits of 10 and 14 before Pulman got in again. This time, showing nerves of steel, a 33 break took his lead to 71-31 with only four colours remaining. Pulman had defended his crown. Pulman 37-36

Re: Is anyone interested in old World Championship scores?

Postby lhpirnie

badtemperedcyril wrote:World Professional Snooker Championship

Title Challenge Match

15th – 21st March, 1965
Burroughes Hall, 19 Soho Square, London W1

(Phone GERrard 3347)

...


A wonderful report - it really captures the excitement of the event as the story unfolds! I wish 21st century journalists could come close to that.

Re: Is anyone interested in old World Championship scores?

Postby lhpirnie

Running side wrote:Surely going back to pre crucible setting would kill the game. Best of 35 frames should determine the better player. Don't see many fans sitting through a 5 day final let alone previous rounds.

Of course. Nobody would suggest lengthening the WC final now, but times were very different then.

However there are issues about staging the WC final on a UK Bank Holiday. Also, the Crucible Theatre isn't a suitable venue anymore, but unfortunately WST have dug themselves into a hole (literally).