1977 Dry Blackthorn Cup

Last updated

Dry Blackthorn Cup
Tournament information
Dates21 December 1977
Venue Wembley Conference Centre
City London
CountryEngland
FormatNon-ranking event
Total prize fund£4,350
Winner's share£2,000
Highest breakFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Ray Reardon  (WAL) 77
Final
ChampionFlag of Ireland.svg  Patsy Fagan  (IRL)
Runner-upUlster Banner.svg  Alex Higgins  (NIR)
Score4–2

The 1977 Dry Blackthorn Cup was a professional invitational snooker tournament on 21 December 1977. Created by promoter Mike Barrett, it was played at the Wembley Conference Centre in London and featured four professional players. The participants included three players who between them had won each edition of the World Snooker Championship since 1969: John Spencer (1969, 1971, 1977), Ray Reardon (1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976) and Alex Higgins (1972). The fourth player was Patsy Fagan, who had won the 1977 UK Championship earlier in the month.

Contents

The event attracted around 1,500 spectators and was televised, with a forty-minute programme on ITV being broadcast on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1977. Fagan won the tournament by defeating Higgins by 4 frames to 2 in the final. Reardon made the highest break of the competition, 77.

Background

Created by promoter Mike Barrett, who later promoted boxing matches involving Frank Bruno, The 1977 Dry Blackthorn Cup was an invitational snooker event, named after the event's sponsors, a cider company based in Taunton. [1] [2] It took place at the Wembley Conference Centre in London and featured four professional players. [3] This was the first snooker event to be held at the venue, [4] which from 1979 to 2006 hosted the Masters Championship. [5]

The tournament was played on a knockout basis, [1] and all three matches were the best-of-seven frames . [6] The participants included three players who between them had won each edition of the World Snooker Championship since 1969: John Spencer (1969, 1971, 1977), Ray Reardon (1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976) and Alex Higgins (1972). [7] The fourth player was Patsy Fagan, who had won the 1977 UK Championship earlier in the month. [6] The event attracted around 1,500 spectators and was televised, with a forty-minute programme on ITV being broadcast on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1977. [1] [8]

Tournament summary

In the semi-finals, Fagan faced Spencer, and Higgins played Reardon. [9] Fagan won the first frame but lost the second after failing in an attempt to pot the last red ball , following which Spencer compiled a break of 30 and won the frame on the final black ball . Spencer had breaks of 43 and 51 in third frame and won it by 102 points to 28. The match was level at 2–2 when Fagan, having made a break of 25 early on, won the fourth frame. He was ahead in the fifth frame, after which Spencer made a 43 break which concluded when he opted to snooker Fagan rather than attempt a pot . Fagan escaped from the snooker successfully; he hit a red ball by sending the cue ball on a trajectory that saw it rebound from four cushions . He went on to add the frame to his tally. A break of 53 early in the sixth frame contributed to Fagan taking a 58-point lead in the sixth frame, but the break ended when he failed in an attempt to pot the next ball. Spencer followed this with a break of 32, but after failing to pot the yellow ball when only the colours were left and leaving it in a position close to the pocket , where Fagan could easily pot it, Spencer conceded the match. [9]

Higgins took three of the first four frame against Reardon, making breaks of 44, 36, 30 and 64 in the process. [9] Reardon won the third frame with a break of 77, the highest of the tournament. [4] [9] in the fifth frame, Higgins recorded a 42 break, but Reardon prevailed, concluding with a break of 48. [9] Higgins secured his progression to the final with a 28 break after Reardon erred with a safety shot in the sixth frame. [9]

In the final, Higgins won the first frame after a break of 38. Fagan equalised with a 58 break in the second frame and took the lead with breaks of 62 and 53 contributing to a 123–1 points score in the next frame. Higgins then levelled the match at 2–2. Both players made errors during the fifth frame, won by Fagan. Higgins established a 39–22 points lead in the sixth frame, but Fagan exhibited high-quality safety play and won the frame after potting a long-distance green ball then completing a clearance to secure the title. [9] The reporter for Snooker Scene magazine wrote that "winning two important tournaments within a month confirms not so much an advance in his technique as Fagan's ability—hitherto in doubt—of being able to win on the showcase occasion" and praised his "soundness and consistency". [9]

Fagan received prize money of £2,000 as the winner, and Higgins received £1,000 as runner-up. [7] [10] Spencer and Reardon received £500 each as losers in the semi-finals. £50,000 would have been awarded to any player making a maximum break of 147. [6] To cover the potential award of the maximum break prize, promoter Mike Barrett paid an insurance premium of £500. [2] Players making breaks of over 100 points would have been rewarded with £100 for each one; breaks of 50 or more attracted a prize of £50. [9] The total prize fund of £4,350 was a record for a one-day snooker tournament. [1]

The following year, Barrett promoted the 1978 Champion of Champions event at the same venue. Like the Dry Blackthorn Cup, this was an invitational event for four players. Fagan, Reardon and Higgins participated in the 1978 tournament, along with Doug Mountjoy. [3] [11]

Main draw

Results are shown below. Players in bold are match winners. [9]

Semi-finals
Best of 7 frames 		Final
Best of 7 frames
Flag of Ireland.svg  Patsy Fagan  (IRL)4
Flag of England.svg  John Spencer  (ENG)2 Flag of Ireland.svg Patsy Fagan 4
Ulster Banner.svg  Alex Higgins  (NIR)4 Ulster Banner.svg Alex Higgins 2
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Ray Reardon  (WAL)2

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Higgins</span> Northern Irish snooker player (1949–2010)

Alexander Gordon Higgins was a Northern Irish professional snooker player and a two-time world champion who is remembered as one of the most iconic figures in the sport's history. Nicknamed "Hurricane Higgins" for his rapid play, and known as the "People's Champion" for his popularity and charisma, he is often credited as a key factor in snooker's success as a mainstream televised sport in the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Reardon</span> Welsh professional snooker player (1932–2024)

Raymond Reardon was a Welsh professional snooker player who dominated the sport in the 1970s, winning the World Snooker Championship six times and claiming more than a dozen other professional titles. Due to his dark widow's peak and prominent eye teeth, he was nicknamed "Dracula".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Spencer (snooker player)</span> English snooker player (1935–2006)

John Spencer was an English professional snooker player. One of the most dominant players of the 1970s, he won the World Snooker Championship three times, in 1969, 1971 and 1977. He worked as a snooker commentator for the BBC from 1978 to 1998, and served for 25 years on the board of the sport's governing body, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), including a stint as chairman from 1990 until his retirement from the board in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cliff Thorburn</span> Canadian snooker player (born 1948)

Clifford Charles Devlin Thorburn is a Canadian retired professional snooker player. Nicknamed "The Grinder" because of his slow, determined style of play, he won the World Snooker Championship in 1980, defeating Alex Higgins 18–16 in the final. He is generally recognised as the sport's first world champion from outside the United Kingdom—since Australian Horace Lindrum's 1952 title is usually disregarded—and he remains the only world champion from the Americas. He was runner-up in two other world championships, losing 21–25 to John Spencer in the 1977 final and 6–18 to Steve Davis in the 1983 final. At the 1983 tournament, Thorburn became the first player to make a maximum break in a World Championship match, achieving the feat in his second-round encounter with Terry Griffiths.

Patsy Fagan is an Irish former professional snooker player. Having been runner-up in the 1974 English Amateur Championship, he turned professional in October 1976. He experienced early success with victories at the 1977 UK Championship and the 1977 Dry Blackthorn Cup but following a car accident, developed a psychological block when using the rest which affected his playing and he did not win another title. He lost his professional status in 1989 following a 2–9 playoff defeat by Brady Gollan and now works as a snooker coach. His highest career ranking was 11, in 1978/79.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1985 World Snooker Championship</span> Professional snooker tournament, held April 1985

The 1985 World Snooker Championship was a professional ranking tournament in snooker that took place from 12 to 28 April 1985 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. Organised by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA), the event was the ninth consecutive World Snooker Championship to be held at the Crucible, the first tournament having taken place in 1977. A five-round qualifying event for the championship was held at the Preston Guild Hall from 29 March to 5 April for 87 players, 16 of whom reached the main stage, where they met the 16 invited seeded players. The tournament was broadcast in the United Kingdom by the BBC, and was sponsored by the Embassy cigarette company. The total prize fund for the event was £250,000, the highest prize pool for any snooker tournament to that date. The winner received £60,000, which was the highest amount ever received by the winner of a snooker event at that time.

The 1984 World Snooker Championship was a ranking professional snooker tournament that took place between 21 April and 7 May 1984 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. The event was organised by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, and was the eighth consecutive World Snooker Championship to be held at the Crucible since the 1977 event. The event featured 94 participants, of which 78 players competed in a qualifying event held at the Redwood Lodge in Bristol from 1 to 13 April. Of these, 16 players qualified for the main stage in Sheffield, where they met 16 invited seeds. The total prize fund for the event was £200,000, the highest total pool for any snooker tournament at that time; the winner received £44,000.

The 1983 World Snooker Championship was a professional snooker tournament that took place between 16 April and 2 May 1983 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. This was the third and final world ranking event of the 1982–83 snooker season following the 1982 Professional Players Tournament. Sixteen seeded players qualified directly for the event, with an additional sixteen players progressing through a two-round qualification round held at the Romiley Forum in Stockport, and Redwood Lodge in Bristol. The winner of the event received £30,000, and the tournament was sponsored by cigarette company Embassy.

The 1981 World Snooker Championship was a ranking professional snooker tournament which took place from 7 April to 20 April 1981 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. The tournament was the 1981 edition of the World Snooker Championship, and was the fifth consecutive world championship to take place at the Crucible Theatre since 1977. It was sanctioned by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. The total prize fund for the tournament was £75,000, of which £20,000 went to the winner.

The 1980 World Snooker Championship, officially known as the 1980 Embassy World Snooker Championship for sponsorship reasons, was a ranking professional snooker tournament that took place from 22 April to 5 May 1980 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. The tournament was the 1980 edition of the World Snooker Championship and was the fourth consecutive world championship to take place at the Crucible Theatre since 1977. It was authorised by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. The total prize fund for the tournament was £60,000, of which £15,000 went to the winner.

The 1979 World Snooker Championship was a ranking professional snooker tournament that took place from 16 to 28 April 1979 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. Promoted by Mike Watterson for the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, it was the third consecutive World Snooker Championship to be held at the Crucible, the first tournament having taken place in 1977.

The 1978 World Snooker Championship was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place between 17 and 29 April 1978 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England, the second consecutive year the tournament had been held at the venue. A qualifying competition was held at Romiley Forum, Stockport, from 27 March to 7 April. The tournament was promoted by Mike Watterson on behalf of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. It had a total prize fund of £24,000, of which £7,500 went to the champion.

The 1977 World Snooker Championship is a professional snooker tournament that took place from 18 to 30 April 1977 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. John Spencer won his third World Snooker Championship title by defeating Cliff Thorburn by 25 frames to 21 in the final. It was the first time the championship was held at the Crucible, which has remained as the venue for the Championship. The tournament was sponsored by cigarette manufacturer Embassy.

The 1976 World Snooker Championship was a professional ranking snooker tournament that took place at two venues, Middlesbrough Town Hall, and Wythenshawe Forum, Manchester, from 7 to 23 April 1976. Qualifying matches were played at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Southport, and at the Park House Hotel, Blackpool from 29 March to 2 April. The tournament was promoted by Maurice Hayes's company Q Promotions on behalf of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. The winner received £6,000 from a total prize fund of £15,300.

The 1974 World Snooker Championship was a professional snooker tournament that took place from 16 to 25 April 1974 at the Belle Vue in Manchester, England. It was the 1974 edition of the World Snooker Championship, established in 1927. The 1974 tournament was promoted by Snooker Promotions, and sponsored by tobacco brand Park Drive. The event attracted 31 entrants and carried a prize fund of £10,000. Seven qualifying matches were held; the seven winners of these joined the other 17 players in the main tournament.

The 1972 World Snooker Championship was a professional snooker tournament that took place between March 1971 and 26 February 1972, as an edition of the World Snooker Championship. The final was played at Selly Park British Legion from 21 to 26 February. Alex Higgins won his first world title, defeating defending champion John Spencer 37–31 in the final. Higgins also made the highest known break of the tournament, 133. In all, he won six matches to secure the title, including a 31–30 deciding frame victory over Rex Williams in the semi-final after Williams had missed an attempt to pot a blue ball. Higgins became the first qualifier to win the World Championship, and, aged 22, the youngest champion until Stephen Hendry in 1990. Higgins's win led to increased interest in snooker from the media and sponsors.

The 1969 World Snooker Championship was a professional snooker tournament. It was the first World Snooker Championship in a knock-out format since 1957, following a series of challenge matches from 1964 to 1968. John Spencer won the title, defeating Gary Owen by achieving a winning margin at 37 frames to 24 in the final. Spencer had earlier eliminated defending champion John Pulman from the competition, in the quarter-finals.

The 1976 World Professional Match-play Championship was a professional invitational snooker tournament held from 28 November to 11 December 1976 at the Nunawading Basketball Centre in Burwood East, Melbourne, Australia. Eddie Charlton, the event's promoter, won the title by defeating Ray Reardon by 31 frames to 24 in the final. The Championship was sanctioned by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, with the event's title causing confusion with the World Snooker Championship in some media reports. The tournament was not repeated.

The 1978 Champion of Champions was a professional non-ranking snooker tournament held on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 November 1978 at the Wembley Conference Centre in London, England.

The 1982 World Snooker Championship was a professional snooker tournament that took place between 30 April and 16 May 1982 at the Crucible Theatre, in Sheffield, England. It was the only event of the 1981–82 snooker season which carried world ranking points. Embassy, a British cigarette company, sponsored the tournament, and the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) governed the organisation of the event. It had a prize fund of £110,000, with the winner receiving £25,000.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Morrison, Ian (1985). The Hamlyn Encyclopedia of Snooker. Twickenham: Hamlyn Publishing. p. 32. ISBN   978-0-600-50192-3.
  2. 1 2 Hubbard, Alan (17 December 1977). "Sportseye: Snooker gets cue for new image". Sports Argus. p. 3.
  3. 1 2 "Other Non-Ranking and Invition Events, first held before 1980". Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  4. 1 2 Morrison, Ian (1989). Snooker: records, facts and champions. Enfield: Guinness Publishing. p. 92. ISBN   978-0-85112-364-6.
  5. ↑ Haigh, Phil (13 January 2018). "Where is the Masters snooker held? Venue, prize money and schedule for 2019 tournament". Metro. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 "Fagan takes on three world champions". The Times. London. 21 December 1977. p. 8 – via The Times Digital Archive. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  7. 1 2 Everton, Clive (1985). Snooker – The Records. Guinness Superlatives Ltd. pp. 56–60. ISBN   978-0-85112-448-3.
  8. ↑ "Full Christmas holiday television and radio programmes". The Times. London. 24 December 1977. p. 6 – via The Times Digital Archive. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Fagan wins Dry Blackthorn cup". Snooker Scene. Birmingham: Everton's News Agency. February 1978. p. 5.
  10. ↑ Hennessey, John (24 May 2013). Alex Higgins: Snooker Legend: Eye of the Hurricane. Mainstream Publishing. p. 72. ISBN   978-1-78057-825-5.
  11. ↑ "No trouble says Aird". Belfast Telegraph. 3 October 1978. p. 21.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.