Stephen Hendry v Jimmy White, 1994 Snooker: World Championship

. Hello come there. Since 1977 the Crucible Theatre has been bringing

us the edge of deceit slow burning tension that has kept many of us

watching our TV sets and glued to the action until the small hours the

morning. Many rivalries have engaged with imagination and none more so

than perhaps than that feature in the ruthless religions of Stephen

Hendry up against the colourful ever popular intuitive Jimmy White. By

the time these two squared up in the final of 1994, Jimmy was appearing

in his fifth final in a row. And by this point, Hendry was a major thorn

in his side. In fact, they were squaring up now in their fourth

Crucible final and the third in a row. I think I said to Jimmy in the

final that no other player should turn up because he had been winning

every year. But, one element was different this year. Hendry had

played the entire fortnight with a fractured arm. He clipped his arm in

a sling. The injury had not seemed to impede his progress. He settled

on a real mission, surging into a lead in the early stages of his

final. Hendry is trailing 13 points -24. What a result.

Stephen is now two points Hind. -- behind. Ten. I would not be at all

surprised if he does not win the frame.

Points. And I am sure Jimmy thought that he left Stephen in a lot of

trouble when he left the table. E did in fact when he started this,

just two reds and two colours down this end of the table.

I think this capacity is audience are a little stunned at the moment.

I think they thought it could be Jimmy's date to date, he started off

so well. -- today. But his opponent has been something special so far.

However, there is a long way to go. Things can change.

So from nothing, and 80 clearance. He had this persona around him of

getting into a bubble and nothing would affect him, nothing would put

him off. I don't know where that came from but that was part of his

armoury. I was the number one player in the world and having won the

championship two years ago as well. I was at a stage in my career when I

always took for granted that I would win the championship, I was that

confident. A little desperation in that shot

but if you can make that pay, what a difference that would make to this

match. He still needs a good blue. Looking at them, but I don't think

it will take it. -- he will take it. That was a good shot. Now can he get

through to That was not a problem, to the

right. And suddenly that running seems to have changed. Jimmy lacking

prime position. You would certainly expect an inform Jimmy White to

clinch the frame. Jimmy overhit that one so he will be

screwing into the Reds and the pinks now hoping for the left corner. That

bottom Reddit must pass into a corner. 56 points in front. Just

colour and one more red. Surely not. All of the space at this

end of the table to drop on to we read. Well, as you see there is very

tight. It was a strange choice of shot. He could have stunned the blue

between the yellow and the brown stock he nearly did the one red.

I am sure Jimmy a few moments ago was thinking "here we go again."

Stephen Hendry in his very best form. A feeling of deja vu, he had

been here before. But, Stephen will know that he still has a match on

his hands. Jimmy will take a positive thought with him after the

end of this session. Although the balls were there to be

potted, this is a great effort from Jimmy because he really was facing a

6-1 deficit which was quite a big one.

That was an important frame for Jimmy to win. 2-5 behind but still

in touch after a session that was dominated by the younger man. It

seemed to give Jimmy a huge amount of confidence. So much so that he

reeled off five frames on the bounce to lead the contest.

This shot is more difficult than he intended. A nice little cannon to

hold the white that he missed the red by quite a margin. It did not

even get into the jaws. Stephen is not potting anything like he has

been throughout this championship. That was a good shot. Red is on the

right, or the left corner from the right side of the table. That is why

Jimmy put the white ball there. But he is not going forward for the

black, he is going back for the blue. And he is on the right side to

position back to the reds. Yes, the red to the right corner

appears to be on. It was a good shot from Jimmy. He came in there in

perfect position. That was a lovely shot. Just picking

off that odd red. Having removed that, of course, he has opened the

corner pocket to the line reds now. And I think he is a fraction short

on that one. That was fairly important because he had a nice

plain sailing shot just a run through in setting up all of those

reds. The two reds to the left of the

cluster are clearly on. But he seems to be looking at the two reds by the

pink. Now, he is not taking those reds. They cannot be on, but this

one certainly is. And he put the other red into a nice position over

the middle pocket. Yes, Jimmy has excellent

concentration at the moment. Previously he is taking a little

longer on his shots and it is nice to see.

Played for the pink. And now he will try and push one or two of those

reds out. Into portable possessions. -- pottable positions. Now, he did

not have to disturb the reds. It is nicely on for the corner. Ooh, my

goodness. That was a little careless. He was in perfect

position. Stephen can make full use of this

and managed to clear up. -- manage. That is the sort of effort that

might well bring him back on song. He has had a long period now where

he has been totally disorientated. Ooh, and that was a kick. He has

gotten away with it. If he cares to split the two reds by

the pink, there is a nice angle on the Blacky to do it. -- plaque here.

-- black. All three reds are pottable. None of

them that easy, however. He needs to play a good shot now, particularly

to keep the cue ball under control. Took the corner pocket to play his

best positional shot on the pink. Nice angle now to drop onto the

black. Everything is looking rosy here. I'd

bet Jim is kicking his heels now. He must

shot. A good positional shot, particularly now with he can get to

the loo. He will have a saloon passage run to the yellow. -- if he

can get to the blue. He looks a little anxious that. --

there. There was a nice amount of check

that. Leaving the cue ball sitting on the pink. Stopping the rot here.

Stephen Hendry pulls one back. Stephen now needs green and the

brown. Well, that was a cracking pot.

Perhaps a trifle unlucky to slip between the two balls there. They

kiss may have given him a better opportunity than this.

22 points on the table and Jimmy, if he can take these, can pinch the

frame. The brown is certainly not easy. He may play for a snooker

here. Well, I thought he would have taken the white ball to the corner.

Not the brown. This is quite pottable for Stephen now.

Well, Jimmy looked quite distressed at what he had done with the brown

but low and behold -- law and -- lo and behold it has done him a favour.

What a strange game this is. Now he has about five feet between the blue

and the cue ball. This will be a big screw. That looks almost perfect.

And I think Stephen will be annoyed. In goes the black.

Stephen will be trying to make a nice angle on the black to split the

three reds by the pink. Yes, and that looks an ideal position to do

it. He still has the two single reds.

It may even be one of the three reds on for the left corner. He has

decided to go into them. Is he lucky enough to be on the one into the

middle pocket? Yes, he is getting down to it.

And spare you heard, probably, the cast of Stephen. -- the gasper. A

gasper of disappointment and dismay. Now he is faced with a tricky red

here. It will go in the centre pocket, but it is partially a blind

pocket, and he might well take it in the corner.

I would suggest he will take this red on to the right corner. It could

be a frame winner for sure if he can make this one.

Another frame that Stephen had to work hard for. And badly needed.

Stephen takes the frame. Back to 8-7 comment favour of Jimmy White.

This final was turning out to be everything we hoped it would be.

Fascinating, swinging too and grow. They shared the next couple of

frames 9-8-9, as we picked them up again in frame 80.

COMMENTATOR: Stephen regularly finds big push on with his safety shots.

-- finds the commission. -- cushion.

It looks as if he has covered it but there is one red that will pot into

the right corner. Not the one nearest the pocket, the one to the

right of it. He has placed the cue ball too well.

It is dead straight. Once again, as we have seen so many

times from the break, that red goes just to the right of the blackened

causes a slight problem. -- right of the black and causes.

I think Stephen could get onto the black if he just brings the cue ball

back a bit. I think he might just get through to

the black. That first frame has certainly given

Stephen Hendry a lot of confidence. He seems to be queueing very

smoothly. -- cueing. This positional play, at the moment,

is absolutely spot on. There are the breaks in the final so

far. Of Stephen Hendry, that is. Seven over 50. No centuries yet.

He wants this frame, of course, to level the match.

There is a possible 136 if he takes likes with these reds. -- takes

blacks. 68 in front now, just a possible 67

on the table. Stephen Hendry can relax a bit and see if he can make

his first century. All that Jimmy White can do is sit and watch.

APPLAUSE He has levelled the match. Nine frames each.

May be a bit of contact. But he is OK, even if he is straight on the

blue. He has got the loose red to the right of the pink.

It would be a help if the Blackwood passed the red. That is what Jimmy

was looking at. But it looks pretty tight. We can't really see from that

angle. Just checking to see at the pink

will spot, which it will not. We can see that the lack definitely would

not pot. -- lead black. Not a bad contact. This is a good

response from Jimmy White. He really only played one shot in the last

frame, and that was a bad safety shot. He had to sit it out.

I wonder if he can move this nuisance red. It appears so.

Well, we keep saying it. But this is the important shot coming up. Nice

angle. If he gets a lucky split on the reds, a good chance at the

frame. Well, Stephen Hendry had 89 in the

last frame. Jimmy White has responded. This could be one

terrific final we are in for. It could be a complete classic.

Stephen's turn to sit in the chair. All the reds this end of the table.

Wouldn't it be brilliant if both players played to the best of their

form on this final day? It seems to me, Denis, they are.

A signal from Stephen Hendry, and Jimmy White is back in the lead,

10-9. The lie Jimmy took the next frame to restore his two frame

advantage, in an-9. Many of his adoring fans who had gone through

the agonies of watching him lose five finals in the past were

beginning to believe it might just be his year. Enter frame 21, Jimmy

20 points behind. COMMENTATOR: Pressure shot.

Well, this is a gift. This is the sort of situation where Stephen

really excels. This time, doesn't look to have the

angle on the red. Leading the perfect one along the

black, just to drop deep black in. The red into the same corner pocket.

A good chance here for Stephen. A choice of two reds, the one to the

right of the pink or the one near the right-hand side cushion.

Just the black, and one more red required.

Not quite the angle on the blue, to stun into the back of the reds. I

don't think any will pot, so it will be coming directly off the side

cushion. A of left-hand side on the white, to come around the angle and

split the reds. -- lot of left-hand.

The way he is looking back, he is looking to see if that middle red

will go into the green pocket. Didn't disturb them, so I think that

is now the end of break. That rake was enough for Stephen to

come within one frame of Jimmy once again, at 10-11. Into the next we

go, and it is Hendry at the table. Can Jimmy get through to the red at

the bottom of the pack? It doesn't appear so. This could be a great

chance for Jimmy. Of course, his confidence will be

eight to higher now, after missing the previous lack. He let Stephen

in, and suddenly he is off the hook. Might protect you points together

here now. -- put a feud points together.

He was looking for the rub off the green, but he hasn't had it. I must

say, I think we are seeing quite a different Jimmy White this year. I

am sure he will not mind me saying that he has been first-class in his

attitude this year. He has got his head down in the evening, he is a

good light. And if he this, this, Jack, he will be having the rub with

the green. APPLAUSE

He looked to be unlucky. But once it got on to the ball, it

turned out better for him. -- once he potted the ball.

That is a bad mess. Just look at the reds here. Jimmy hangs his head, and

thinks, what have I done? And of course this frame is a big frame.

All frames are big frames. But now Stephen Hendry has a chance to make

it all square. Every ball on the table is near a

pocket. of exercise that will give Stephen

confidence. Yes, Stephen is making Jimmy paid

for that bad miss. -- pay for that add miss. I think it is a very

important for a player of Jimmy's type, aggressive, you need to punish

him for his mistakes and undermine his confidence.

And the position of the balls now, we will expect Stephen to go on and

clinch the frame. Well, he is watching, intense and

concentrating hard. 37 points now the difference. So

colour, red, colour would be sufficient.

So now it is just a matter of cannon he clear the board? -- cannon he

needs the blue to make 100 on the table.

So will we see the first century? It is no indication of the quality of

the match. It has been absolutely superb. Both players trying to break

one another and as yet be have not succeeded. Stephen takes the frame

and it is now 11 frames the. Would you believe this? Oh, good

heavens above. Well. You can only say that that is fewer carelessness.

Jimmy only wanted a brown to win the frame. Did not need to play for the

blue. You can not say that is bad luck.

Well, he has got to try and get that out of his mind. And that has come

just a trifle less. Stephen waggles his head there and thinks "that was

not good enough." He wants both balls.

Ooh. He has left it... Would you believe this? Jimmy White comes to

the table for the second By the end of that session, it was

level with 12 frames each with a possible 11 to come in the evening.

As they waited back stage, Hendry knew he would be staying there for

another year it after his victory in the semifinal earlier. But the

Whirlwind was still seeking the ultimate prize, knowing what damage

this man had inflicted upon him earlier. Two years earlier, Hendry

had come from behind to win ten frames in a row to destroy his

chances then. Would things change this time? In the go into the first

frame of the final session. Hendry at the table.

This could make a difference. Jimmy comes to the table. 26 points

behind. First frame of the final session

this evening and what an important frame it is.

The colour on the table is safe so it is only eight matter of Jimmy

keeping the cue ball under control now. -- a matter of. He should take

the frame from here. Eight points behind. He wants both

the pink and the black. Does Jimmy have an angle on the pink to get to

the black? He is starring back... That is not

what he intended. No, he had a lot of signing on that cue ball, but it

was not enough. He wanted to kick it towards the right and centre pocket.

So our first frame finishes all up on the black. He has had a go. It is

not there. But he has the cue ball under the cushion at the top there.

It will be interesting to see if Stephen takes this black on. It is a

good ten feet away. He is harder on the top cushion. -- hard up on the

top cushion. That was a great try at a very

difficult cueing as you saw. He could hit very little of the cue

ball, just the top of it. Jimmy White now with the black at his

mercy and the first frame of the final session. A cheer goes up for

Jimmy White as he goes back into the lead. Jimmy had his nose in front

once again that three frames in a row, rattled them off and Hendry was

leading at the interval. This time, Jimmy is breaking. Jimmy needs to

turn the tide. He has lost four was -- of the last five frames.

So the pressure is still showing out there. Stephen Mr by quite some

distance. -- missed that. I'm sure Jimmy here is going to go

into the pike. Strait would have made it easier to

control his position. But it should still be all right.

I think this is the difference with Jimmy this year. In previous years

he would have already played the pot. He is taking a little bit more

care now. Obviously could not get another red

to hold for the black so right into the corner. Now down for the blue.

Detention has been such in the first four frames at the highest rate so

far, the highest has been 39. There have been many mistakes but it has

been exciting. -- the tension has been such. This is decision time for

Jimmy. He is looking at the red into the left-hand corner, or is that the

plant at the bottom? I think it is the plant at the bottom. There is a

gap between the two reds. This is a shot for Jimmy.

It will be perfect on the black should he get it.

We have not had a frame at won in clear-cut fashion tonight. The ball

ended up struggling, later struggles. This is a chance for

Jimmy to win this one more authoritatively. This will be a big

Easy along the back rail here. And of course that previous shot he

played, above the black into the right-hand corner.

I don't know, Clive. I have a feeling that this will be a big one.

That was a clever shot from Jimmy. He played it in such a way that he

knew he would be on the black. And one thing for certain Clive, I

am sure that Jimmy will be taking any other colour bar that last red,

other than the black. Already this century, the 35th at

the Crucible this year, it equals the Crucible record. This is a

difficult one and he will need to play with a lot of and right-hand

side. And he has played that super. You would think that the only ball

that will cause him problems now would be that kink near the

left-hand cushion. A pressure break from Jimmy, wasn't

it? To remain within distance of Hendry. But the Scot took the next

to restore his advantage. And now as we head into frame 31, Stephen is in

front by 31. The double-kiss was unintended and

this is a chance for white, but not easy at that range. A little thinner

than he would have liked. It will be very difficult to hold for the

green. At this stage of the match looks

simple but I can assure you that was one of the best shots of Jimmy will

ever play. He needs to clear to win. It looks as though he has gone to

the only place where he can't get a good position on the black. He

wanted it to be another six down the table. So this frame is not over

yet. -- another six inches. If he had been further out of position,

six inches shorter he would still have been OK.

Will he try and cut this in? He has walked around to look at it, so I

would say there is no doubt he is going to try this.

Marvellous! What nerve. Jimmy White cleared the colours. He again trails

by nearly one frame. No time to risk the black to the

middle which if it had gone in would have left White leading in a

snooker. Actually, I am getting too excited.

That would not have been the case. Just have not a clue what Jimmy was

playing there. Who looked as if he was trying to

hit the red direct off the left cushion but the blue seems to be

blocking that path. I thought he would have to go to

cushions. And a free ball, is it? No, it may

not be. It is close. It is a free ball. That could be the end for

Jimmy. 32 points in front, Stephen. In actual fact, I cannot believe

this for sportsmanship. The referee has given a free ball to

Stephen and Stephen is querying it, asking the referee to check it. What

a sportsman. Well, that was marvellous. To be a

free ball, the player must be able to hit those edges of the red and

Hendry just can. Yes, but Clive, what other sport would you see that?

The referee gave a foul, gave a free ball and Stephen, against his own

chances of winning this tournament refused to take it.

Water reward. Jimmy White is a snooker. -- what a reward. Jimmy

White flew as a snooker. -- flukes. This is unfortunate.

That blue will go past the green and then it is perfect for Jimmy.

26 points in it. 27 points on the table. And is this another twist,

Clive? It certainly looks like it. Stephen Hendry will not be expecting

to get another shot this frame. Great sportsmanship by Hendry. A

cool clearance by Jimmy White. Level at 16 all. Level, with three to

play. With admits the drama, Hendry claimed the next. But, with Jimmy

White, will he still have a say in this epic final? This is frame 34 of

a possible 35. That white coming in and out of

baulk shows you that the adrenaline is really flowing. So easy to

over-hit the shots. A good shot from Jimmy White. Can't

hit the right-hand side of the reds here, Stephen. So he may have

defined the safety area at this end of the table. -- May half to find.

He has left half a chance to the right middle. Maybe even a cut to

the corner, the red to the right of deep black. -- right of the black.

That is a cracking pot. He knows now, one mistake. But he won't even

be thinking about that. Jimmy taking his time. Normally he

would be straight down, not the red in. But he's composing himself.

I think he has pretty well done that throughout this championship.

Quickened up the odd time on the pressure. -- under pressure. That is

perfectly natural. He now wants a bit of luck. I think that could have

been better. Or maybe that red goes to the right

corner. Just to look at that. Another

faction and he would have been absolutely perfect. -- fraction.

It's amazing how you can cannon into the reds like that and not leave

yourself an easy pot. Yes, I think it's important that

Jimmy does take that bit of time and does nothing desperate.

Good shot from Jimmy. He's blocked the path down the right

side of the table. There is some more sportsmanship for

you. Jimmy just tapping the table, acknowledging that excellent safety.

Stephen still thinking positively. He took that one on with a certain

degree of confidence that he wouldn't leave Jimmy too easy pot,

but there is a half chance here. And half chances, at this stage, are

very difficult to take. He was a bit unfortunate, just to

flick the blue. He would have been nicely on the green or the yellow.

He is having to use the rest now. Surely he hasn't finished in a

position where he can pot red again. I think he has. I do not think he

can get to the red that is nicely on the right corner. He may get to the

one that is just out of picture to the left of the pink.

The character of this man is just unbelievable.

The pink and black are not very nicely placed.

Jimmy is going to bring the pink into play. Well, we have seen one

will two of these missed. Just a little bit tricky.

But that does open things up very nicely for Jimmy White.

What a final we have on our hands here.

I think it is the courage of both players. Stephen has shown

tremendous courage in this match, and so has his opponent.

It is going to be a great pity, which ever one loses. But someone

has to do. -- has to. , if it had been boxing, I am sure it would be a

draw. He played for the pink, but the

black was always there as a backup. He needs the extension to get to it.

He has got to screw the white gay couple of feet just to get nice

positioning on the red. -- screwed the white back a couple.

He is 52 points in front. Straight red in the right middle, the pink

awaiting. What a chance. Stephen knows that he is in for a

nailbiting last frame. It has always looked, after the

first session, as if this match was going to go to the wire. But nobody

thought it would be quite as close as this comment Dennis. -- close as

this, Dennis. Yes, it is just amazing.

He will not be bothered whether the red goes in or not.

APPLAUSE The crowd wanted a tin. It didn't matter to Stephen or Jimmy.

Down to the very last frame. 17 apiece. Obviously 17-17, it can go

either way. When you get to a final at the Crucible that goes to the

final frame, that is quite special. APPLAUSE

Final frame, ladies and gentlemen. Quite, please. Jimmy White to break.

I have a feeling that the crowd are going to clap at every shot.

Well, that contact was far too thick.

I think Jimmy played a bit short on the red so he could open the pack at

the same time, but not quite that short. Just the eight points.

Jimmy making a similar mistake to the one that Stephen Hendry made.

Jimmy White only scored eight from that. How many can Stephen Hendry

make? Not quite as straightforward as it

might be. The black obstructed to both pockets.

Looking to see if he can get on either of those two reds at the

moment. It's just shows you how clearly he

is thinking, to clear away one of those reds that was blocking the

black. -- it's just shows. Good shot to get the cue ball. Just

below the blue. I am not so sure about this

positional shot. He could have made that much harder and left the red in

the right corner. This is much different.

You were talking about clear thinking, it is the most difficult

thing to do when you under this kind of Russia. -- pressure. Suddenly

sees a chance. Caution goes to the wind.

There is a red next to those two that might just popped into the

pockets that was taking the black on. -- just pot into the pocket.

Well, I think he is terribly unlucky. That was a super shot he

played. Just look at the scores. 17 frames

each, 24 points each. Incredible stuff.

Stephen Hendry looking composed and cool. But I think Jimmy is going to

be tempted into taking a very difficult red, to the left corner.

But he has got to the final take in these difficult reds, and he is in

the last frame of the finals. So who is to say he is not correct?

In the crowd knew this one was in before we did. What a wonderful

shot. The pace that he played it at. APPLAUSE.

Did he see the title? Dear me. That was just a bit of tension. But

everybody gets tense. Well, he hadn't missed one of those in 30.

He keeps leaving himself the reds into the middle pocket.

APPLAUSE I was about to say he had missed quite a number of shots with

the rest. That want only just wriggled in. -- that one.

You saw his face them. No explanation needed. Yes, red would

be a terrible shame of Jimmy White, if he was to lose this frame, having

missed a black that he would never miss in 100 years.

You cannot take it away from this gentleman at the table. Nerves of

steel. It is going to happen. -- what is going to happen?

He proved that he had it when it is needed. He has proved it in the

past. And once again this evening. I am delighted for Stephen Hendry hot

that I could cry for the gentleman sitting in the chair. -- Stephen

Hendry, what I could cry. -- but I could. I am sure that many, as I

did, thought that this year was is. -- was his. Not to take anything

away from Jimmy's opponent. APPLAUSE Stephen Hendry has proved

once again that he is the best player in the world. He is the world

champion. He has won by 18 -17, and one of the best finals you are ever

likely to see. We all remember the luck of the spot that he missed. --

like off the spot. I got out of that chair so fast. And he missed it, I

feared the worst. I thought he was going to win. Got down to be black,

and I sort of through my cue down, like a twitch. Like playing golf. I

rushed it, missed the black, and sitting in my seat I knew that he

was going to clean up. I made what was, loosely under intense pressure,

clear and switch. Looking back, I made it look pretty easy. I wobbled

one ball with the rest. It wasn't even at which. You would admit if

you twitched it a bit. I just didn't hit it properly, I didn't

concentrate on it properly. But the good thing is that when you do

wobble one and it still goes on, it clicks you into the game. You think,

I am not going to do that again. I will concentrate 100%. It was great

to make that clearance. Jimmy has missed the black, that

doubtless continues to haunt him. What it pressure clearance it was

from Hendry to win that, his third title in a row, fourth in total, and

of course he would go on to hold three more to hold the Crucible

record crowds at seven. As the Jimmy, millions wanted him to win

that day, and they still do. Because for all of his brilliant record, and

his proud record in so many other evens, snooker's ultimate prize, the

world title, continues to elude him. That was his last Crucible final. Or

should I say, his most recent? The wait goes on to Jimmy.