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Tournaments: 1996/97: Invitational: Regal Masters | Malta GP | LV Challenge | Masters | Irish

Benson & Hedges Masters 1997

Wembley Conference Centre, London, England (Feb 2-9, 1997)
Invitational tournament

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Report

Steve Davis won his third B&H Masters title on Sunday night with a thrilling 10-8 victory over Ronnie O'Sullivan before a packed audience at the Wembley Conference Centre.

The proceedings were enlivened during the afternoon when a female streaker diplayed her wares in front of a delighted audience and the entertainment continued as O'Sullivan raced to an 8-4 lead, the players having been level at 4-4 at the interval.

With the Rocket playing snooker on a different plane, the issue looked cut and dried; however, the Nugget drew on reserves many had doubted were there to claw his way back and won six frames in a row for a remarkable and emotional victory over a shattered younger rival.

To rub salt into O'Sullivan's wounds, Davis' 130 break in frame 15 also relieved his Cockney practice mate of the �15,000 his break of 120 had seemed to secure him.

After the match O'Sullivan, who lifted �65,000, was gracious in defeat, admitting he might have relaxed too soon at 8-4 up, though few would have expected Davis to recover from such a deficit.

What odds now on the Romford ace earning an unprecedented seventh world title, which would be a record in the modern era.

Thanks to Patrick McWilliams ([email protected]) for the report.

Pictures

Eric Whitehead)

Results

(Players are English unless stated)

Final

Steve Davis 10-8 Ronnie O'Sullivan     

0-116, 0-113, 72-13, 38-67, 78-50, 0-123 (121), 62-46, 63-1, 32-96,
52-72, 7-122, 4-75, 109-0, 60-27, 130-1 (130), 63-48, 74-46, 68-1

Semi-finals

Ronnie O'Sullivan 6-5 Nigel Bond            
Steve Davis       6-1 Ken Doherty (Ireland)

Quarter-finals

Ronnie O'Sullivan     6-4 Stephen Hendry (Scotland)
Nigel Bond            6-2 John Parrott
Steve Davis           6-4 Peter Ebdon
Ken Doherty (Ireland) 6-3 Mark J Williams (Wales)

Second round

Stephen Hendry (Scotland) 6-1 Brian Morgan
Ronnie O'Sullivan         6-1 Dave Harold 
John Parrott              6-5 Jimmy White 
Nigel Bond                6-1 James Wattana (Thailand)
Peter Ebdon               6-4 Darren Morgan (Wales)
Steve Davis               6-4 Alan McManus (Scotland)
Ken Doherty (Ireland)     6-2 Alain Robidoux (Canada)
Mark J Williams (Wales)   6-4 John Higgins (Scotland)

First round

Mark J Williams (Wales) 5-1 Paul Hunter
Brian Morgan            5-2 Tony Drago (Malta)

Related Pages

1995 Benson & Hedges Masters
1996 Benson & Hedges Masters
Benson & Hedges Masters Finals

[ Report | Pictures | Results | Related Pages ]

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