Jimmy White v Stephen Hendry, 1988 Snooker: World Championship

Hello again. Today's classic Crucible match told us a lot indeed.

It is the second round from 1988. It is Jimmy White against Stephen

Hendry. Two years earlier his ambitions were fuelled by a run to

the quarter-finals. Jimmy White was already in a Crucible final.

However, he lost. This is the first time that these two champions

squared off against each other. When Stephen Hendry appeared on the scene

couple of years ago. He started winning tournaments. Played in the

first match. He is one of my favourite players.

It was one of the first battle is of many to come. -- battles Hendry

appeared overwhelmed and nervous at the start. Stephen Hendry has had

the opportunity and he has given it act. -- back. Well, that is very

surprising. Stephen Hendry was for frames behind. However, he does have

a 20 seven frame advantage here. -- 27 frame.

Well, that could have worked out better. He doesn't want him on

either side of the pocket. It is 27 all and Jimmy White is in a

perfect position. 28. 24 points in front. He needs both

remaining to be read. -- red. He now needs a good positional spot for the

last red. Again, Stephen Hendry has another

chance. And, obviously he cannot see the red

as he would like. However, he is trying a swerve. That was brilliant!

Look at that. Now, that is a pity. He will have to

pull something out of the bag. How vital as this one. -- how vital is

this one? Quiet. It is good to see. Some would call that the luck of the

green. But, what a time to get it? It was the green that was needed.

Well, that was quite unlucky. But from the angle of this pocket it

could have been a snooker. Yes, John and the green goes. And, it is gone.

Well, it is so easy. What came next was seemingly quite comfortable for

his age. However, then Stephen Hendry was giving nothing away in

facial expressions which was compounded by him giving nothing

away at the table either. Well, I don't know if he can take

this long one and hold on to the black.

He will have to go for aid old -- a bold colour it appears. Especially,

if he wants to go and get that black.

Well, Stephen Hendry kept the pack as tight as possible. Now, it is his

turn. That was brilliant. That was a nice little kids on the

blue. He now needs to go around the table. -- nice little kids. No, I

don't think so. Nice, little one there. -- nice little kiss on the

blue. No, I don't think so. He is 43 points behind, but there is

still a possible 51 left on the table. He cannot afford to lose a

single red. What a cracking shot that was. It

had a lot of side on it. It was just off the brown.

Well, what a great frame. From 11 it went ahead for Stephen Hendry and

Jimmy White only potted one red. Look what happened in this frame. Oh

dear! Well again, Stephen Hendry is

confronted with a very long pot. And, just look at the shot he has

played. It was nicely on the blue. He will be able to fetch the cue

ball back. That gives Stephen Hendry a chance

to utilise the black ball again. My word, he really had some stuff on

that. 31. Stephen Hendry is completely

engrossed in what he is doing now. This is the ideal thing to be doing.

The thing to do is to try and forget your opponent. Completely. That is

what he is doing. That is it. Jimmy White needs

sneakers again. -- snookers. What impressive stuff this is? Stephen

Hendry's has said to me how he cannot believe the way this young

man plays and practices. And my word, it really is terrific stuff.

Well, I thought the opening frames were quick with six minutes apiece.

But this one has proven to be much quicker.

Now, let us hope he can get the black on. What a wonderful

clearance! What a wonderful clearance! For the rest of it, you

have to look very hard for Jimmy White. He only potted for balls. --

four. In then next action it was a time that Jimmy White never enjoyed.

This was a frame that Jimmy White should have really wrapped up. Look

how lucky he is being. He has missed.

Well, that was amazing. It was certain to go into the green. He

doesn't want to two much bent on this. And yes, he has got to two

much. That has put him in trouble. Well, that means that Stephen Hendry

can only draw from 24 points with 25 points left still on the table.

Well, what a magnificent shot. And that green is very much in the open.

Well, Jimmy White has declared himself there. Begin ceased even

sitting down. -- we can see Stephen Hendry sitting down. That has been

tremendous. Such as task situation. Nobody could see it but Jimmy White.

-- tough situation. And so Stephen Hendry is requiring

both balls now. What a seesaw that has been. This is not nice. That was

certainly a tough shot. So now, it is down to Jimmy White. My word, you

cannot get any closer than this. APPLAUSE. So a tremendous struggle

in this first frame of the morning session.

One, Jimmy White. Fully engrossed in this, as we all are.

One, Jimmy White. APPLAUSE. One.

One, Stephen Hendry. Not quite found his touch yet. Jimmy must punish him

for those mistakes. He knows he should have won the first frame,

cannot afford to lose this one. Seven. Eight. Well, he took a

chance, mainly because there was a red in the area full of not an ideal

position. He's very much aware of the

importance of winning this one. 20. 38 points in front. After this, he

needs just one more red. This 440 points. 23 left on the

table but it should not matter now. 55. 56.

Frame conceded. Stephen Hendry deciding to have a pot but then

concedes immediately and the frame score 10-8.

One, Stephen Hendry. Well played, that really stuck on the black.

APPLAUSE. Well, that was... I do not think

that was the right shot to play. Try to be positive with his safety but I

think a negative one would have done just as well and he has left this

for Stephen. One. Steven not happy with the contact on

that one, for sure. I think Ebi skewed, Jack, for sure. -- he

miscued. Nine. The referees realised that he is not

as young as he was. He has had to work so hard. Nine, Stephen Hendry.

Going for this. He will be opening the reds up. Interesting to look for

position. 15. It is going to be very difficult to

play safe. That is the problem with this type of game, opening the reds,

if you make a mistake, it's their for your opponent. -- they are there

will stop in fact, John, I think he has been rather fortunate there.

Yes, Jack, I think that is about the safest spot on the table. A little

bit of luck for Jimmy. Jimmy certainly not finding the

bottom cushion as he would have liked but nothing easy here and the

sort of situation that could lead to trouble.

And I think it has. APPLAUSE .. One.

APPLAUSE. That was a good shot. Of the two

players, Jimmy certainly looks the stronger this morning. He should

have won the first and really getting the cue through nice and

smooth. 31 points in front and the reds

still nicely spaced but it he keeps going out of position slightly.

APPLAUSE .. 31. So now just a red and a colour

required. A red and colour will put him well safe. 38.

APPLAUSE. Would have left his heart just a little and Stephen Hendry

knives and Jimmy White wins a very excellent frame to put it back 10-9.

He is hanging on to his coattails the whole match and a new now and

then we had a title on how hands because Stephen Hendry is just a

fantastic potter. APPLAUSE. One. One, Jimmy White.

APPLAUSE. (CROWD GROANS). APPLAUSE

One, Stephen Hendry. And Stephen Rather than letting the muscles come

into the action, which is not good to see. One.

Well, there is no doubt he is feeling the pressure at the moment.

Just having a bad patch. Needs to hold himself together.

APPLAUSE. He is on that red but he has overrun

it. 13. But the black is out clear. Has he

got the right angle on the blue. 27 points in front, now.

18. APPLAUSE. 19.

If Jimmy can go into the interval, 10-10, I shall he will be

delighted. -- I am sure. And surprisingly, in fact it is almost

amazing, Stephen Hendry, this morning his highest break is 24 so

quite a slump from yesterday. Just one red required after this blue and

that looks perfect so it looks like 10-10 and what character Jimmy has

shown this morning, particularly after losing the first frame as he

did. So quite a good session for Jimmy.

He would be delighted and... What our last five frames we are going to

have. APPLAUSE. And that is, in fact, the

biggest break of the match so far for Jimmy.

69. Well, bad luck, missing the pink but no matter...

APPLAUSE. LAUGHTER Deary me. Well, how do you follow that! What is the

going to do with the Swans? So, at the interval, it is 10- ten. Five to

go and what a session that will be. STUDIO: Nothing to choose between

these exciting talents. Always on the professional, Stephen Hendry

spent the interval on the practice table.

Stephen Hendry is first off the mark, and he will be trained to read

store what he thinks is the balance. -- restore. Six.

Amazing how he does not worry about long pots, at all.

11. That last shot really cleared the path, it is a fine chance for

Jimmy. 19. 20. He just slid that in all the jaw of

the centre pocket. 35. Just flicking one red out, he will

be happy with that. 54. 55. Just one more red colour

required after this black Mac. 54. 55. Just one more red colour

required after this black. Do not think Stephen will be hoping

to win this frame, but he will be taking the opportunity to get some

practice in. He has not been able to get involved. Yes John, I think that

is what may well put Stephen to the test. He took some of the bout the

pressure, but this is tremendous for a young man such as Stephen Hendry.

Jimmy is certainly marching on now. Jimmy White takes that frame to

lead by 11-10. That is fairly accurate, but

unfortunately bouncing the cue ball Intern bounced to the object ball.

Jimmy looks to the sky, that was not very good.

Eight, Jimmy White. That was in that -- a terribly important shortfall

Jimmy White. If it got position, there would have been five reds

waiting for the black. APPLAUSE. Nice and gently. APPLAUSE. Eight.

Nine. He lost the run of the white there.

16. 17. 23. 37. Pickup shot, but a little

unfortunate to be so close to the cushion. He does take it in stride,

as a rule. That should lead a red into the centre pocket. Is 42 points

in front, the way the reds are situated it looks like you have the

more. situated it looks like he will have

them all. Trigger form, Stephen has put

himself together and he has his head down.

True to form, Stephen has put himself together and he has his head

This shows you the strength of Stephen, now he has a good chance to

make a 100 break. 97. APPLAUSE. And magnificent effort, and so

controlled after so much pressure. I am sorry to see him do that, a

marvellous break they buy it Stephen Hendry to take this, this match to

11-11. APPLAUSE. He is playing for the red just above

the black, to clear the black. Whoever loses this frame carries the

most pressure. 20. APPLAUSE. 21. 36. That was an instance where Jimmy

White could have test on, but he wants to top everything. Tremendous

stuff. 41. Might not just have the angle to come through on the black.

42. Coming down for the blue, but just the wrong side. He will have to

leave himself another long red. 47. 48.

He has not played that too well. He wanted to be at least another six

inches further up the table. APPLAUSE. That puts in front by 64

points, there another possible 67 points on the table. Discretion is

the better part of valour, and rightly so. No legs, and he is left

on. rightly so. No legs, and he has left

one. Jimmy White is now in a position

where Stephen Hendry needs snooker 's. He will want to reply after the

tremendous century break from Stephen Hendry.

13. What tremendous panache this fellow has. He really is a joy to

watch. In the economy of his play is something quite special.

29. The frame is over. Surely it Stephen Hendry will remain seated,

and he does. Jimmy White makes it 12- 11.

Stephen Hendry was rather nervously thick on that contact, and if ever

Jimmy White wanted to win a frame, it will be this one.

This is one that Stephen Hendry will have a go at, he is coming back into

the danger area in doing so. He will have to play the brunt into the

centre, he could not play the yellow. The brown is the only bullet

will get him up amongst the red. Six, Stephen Hendry. APPLAUSE. It is

fraught with danger, this pot is on the red. He may collide with

something, he has to get it. That little nudge there by the red, what

a gift. APPLAUSE. One. Jimmy White. APPLAUSE. That was really a pressure

ball. APPLAUSE. That is a good shot. That

is some bad luck, he really wanted to kiss on the left-hand side of

that very gently. Seven. Already into the centre, it

looks like the angle he will have to come down onto the black. Eight.

APPLAUSE. 15. Every point is really punishment now for Stephen Hendry.

23. 24. APPLAUSE. 43. Would you believe

that, it is on the tip of my tongue thou to say that the writing was on

the wall, and Jimmy White makes a mistake. But this is a very

difficult opportunity. APPLAUSE. It looks like Jimmy White

has got a way with that, we do not see him miss many shots like the

rest. That has been fortunate. Jimmy White is inclined to be having

a thrash. Suddenly it is deathly silent. 16.

17. Stephen Hendry has underhit that slightly. APPLAUSE. He takes a look

at the scoreboard, he is 19 the height. -- behind. Beautifully

played. APPLAUSE. 32. 33. APPLAUSE. The only

problem now is to get to the blue. 41. This could be the important one,

he must get onto the brown. A little bit close for comfort. What a

cracking shot. A big sigh and a puff from Stephen Hendry.

Now, where is the blue going? Stephen Hendry is now just five

points in front. If you can pot the blue, he must be

on the pink. APPLAUSE. Of the. -- oh dear. What about that! On rushed

shot against the critical Stephen Hendry, could prove a little at a

cost of the match for Jimmy White. Let's find out what happened next.

Jimmy is determined to get the cue ball back to safety, and he has not

made a bad effort at that. This 25th frame is a real shoot out.

Jimmy White is having a look, and decides it is not want Stephen

Hendry to hit it to the left-hand side of the cluster. This could be a

good safety. It should have been, but it is not.

APPLAUSE. Stephen Hendry is anxiously looking to see if he left

that the red, but apparently not. Again, Stephen Hendry is up very

quickly they are at a very fortunate indeed. That was a bad shot, but he

has got away with it. Not too bad, you would be a brave

man to take on this red. APPLAUSE. A great shot. If he can get out of the

corner. Seven. And angle on the black to go

into the cluster. APPLAUSE. And that is absolutely

colossal, can he capitalise on this blue?

Six. APPLAUSE. 21. APPLAUSE. Jimmy White is forging ahead now, a nice

chance here. 27. I would not choose to play that, but nicely on the

blue. 32. 33. Things are looking maybe ominously

here. And he sits and thinks and hopes. APPLAUSE. These two men have

tried to break one another for three days, and neither have succeeded.

Whomever wins. APPLAUSE. That looks perfect. 54.

55. After this black, just one more red required for a remarkable

victory. APPLAUSE. APPLAUSE. The Jimmy White supporters

give him a clap. And that black surely?

APPLAUSE. 71. There is disappointment, but he is young and

he is marvellous. 78. APPLAUSE. Sir Jimmy proves the point by making his

largest break so far. On must say, what they wonderful display he has

put on. Earswick stood, this pressure -- he has with stood the

Mendis pressure. Handshakes all round, what a wonderful match. One

could never see better. Well done to Jimmy White, and Stephen Hendry. It

was a great match, I was disappointed to lose when I was

ahead with two to play. The first to read that did not go in, I could

have lost that match. I thought if I missed this, he is guaranteed to

win. It was a brave shot for Jimmy White to take on, and proved

editable -- provincial -- pivotal. That second round match goes down as

a Chris Booker sic, it is one in which the Whirlwind broke a young

Stephen Hendry's heart. Oh, it's all coming out

the side of his nappy! They're back,

learning to be parents...