Masters Snooker 1985 Alex Higgins v Steve Davis

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[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

Best 5 players ever 1. Alex Higgins 2. Ronnie O'Sullivan 3. Jimmy White 4. Joe Davis 5. Ray Reardon 6. Big Bill Werbeniuk 7. Kirk Stevens 8. Dennis Taylor 9. Fred Davis 10. Eddie Charlton

[@WasteSecond]

hahahaha

[@michaeltrumph121]

In terms of flair and excitement Higgins, White and Ronnie are the best

[@sallysmith1484]

Nonsense. 1. O’Sullivan 2. Hendry 3. Steve Davis 4. John Higgins 5. Ray Readon/John Spencer (tied).

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

Sally Smith Hendry and Davis are the most boring players ever! They don't even make it into the Top 10! 1. Alex Higgins 2. Ronnie O'Sullivan 3. Jimmy White 4. Joe Davis 5. Ray Reardon 6. Big Bill Werbeniuk 7. Kirk Stevens 8. Dennis Taylor 9. Fred Davis 10. Eddie Charlton

[@WasteSecond]

John Smith dude alex higgins is just awful to watch. he needs to calm the fuck down and stop moving his body when playing a shot.

[@nicebike2066]

Best 5 players: 5. John Virgo 4. John Virgo's impression of Dennis Taylor 3. Dennis Taylor 2. Alex Higgins (sober) 1. Alex Higgins (drinking)

[@jahno7154]

You missed out Cliff Wilson and Bill Werbernuik

[@francollins4036]

I was a 100% Alex fan but Steve was without doubt a proven snooker master. He did not deserve the boo's but he has such integrity and character he accepted that Alex had this connection with the people. Alex is sadly missed but Steve is a great man who always spoke well of Alex and never stabbed him in the back.

[@Michael-cz6ob]

Thats why I rate Hendry and Davis as possibly the 2 greatest ever. Unlike Osullivan for example who has always had the crowd supporting him and making themselves annoyingly vocal by calling out alot to put his opponent's off, Hendry and Davis didn't have the luxury and felt the crowd and pressure against them often yet they still managed to win 13 World titles between then plus many others

[@JJmoony]

I think Alex secretly really admired Davis he knew from the first time he saw Davis play he knew it was a new time for snooker!

[@nickhaswell6011]

​@@Michael-cz6obwhen you think about it davis and hendry achieved all that with the crowd against them, should double there achievement figures, to have achieved it all with the crowd hating you and not helping you and putting pressure on you because of the hate

[@maherabdeqader381]

Alex Higgins will remain the people’s champion! His personality was so unique and his style of snooker was unique too! He passed away peacefully but his memoirs will last long!

[@tay2229]

The crowd's reaction to the introductions of these two players is epic. No secret as to who is the crowd favourite.

[@scottthefunk]

I really enjoyed that, did not know the result and had the butterflies at the end. I had no idea Higgins cue action was so erratic and that he had such nice but sad eyes. Truly fascinating player to watch I can see clearly why the masses loved him so dearly.

[@wanderer1955]

Alex's whole game was erratic. Still I don't know how he won 2 World titles. But I loved the guy.

[@sohrabnizoumi-berizi328]

The pots that Alex used to come up with, simply amazing.

[@vistablista]

Snooker would not be a televised sport without the likes of these guys and those before them. Respect is most definitely due!

[@markwhittaker6866]

Agreed.

[@MikeSmith-lk6zm]

The most exciting and iconic snooker player of all time hes was an is the Mohamed Ali of snooker rip Hurricane

[@harjitk]

I remember this match so well, I was 17 at the time and a massive Alex Higgins fan, miss him so much! Thanks for uploading this game bought back so many memories!!!! The people's champion!!!

[@Squab1972]

I watched this as a 13 year old, I found the booing of Steve Davis upsetting and very hateful.

[@TheTommyd45]

The best snooker player that ever came from Ireland, RIP Alex, thank you for the amazing snooker, I met Ronnie & Jimmy and both agreed

[@sachinvirmani2741]

1:01:18 that shot!!

[@ianclarke3627]

Alex Higgins appeal was his battle with his demons as well as his opponents. The inspirational shot making ,the comebacks and the failures . I don't think many back in the day on their 4th pint and in their local tried too emulate any other player . He was snookers Georgie Best both flawed geniuses both from northern Ireland and when both were at their best there was nobody close to either . Thanks for the inspiration guys then and to this day still.

[@underneonloneliness2]

the atmosphere was way better years ago

[@andypenny2010]

Let's take some things into account, concerning the modern snooker era. If Alex was a young lad NOW. He cannot drink in the arena. He cannot smoke in the arena. He would be a great player. Because he would be hungry and a monster. Faster tables... No need to hit them as hard. It's speculation I know. But would he be as good as Ronnie O'Sullivan? Utter Bollocks! Ronnie is too good. I love Alex.. but you have to be honest. Higgins is the snooker player I grew up and fell in love with his Antics on and off the table. A very flawed genius. A man with a drink problem. A man who loved to entertain. And I will Finnish on this. He won the world title twice. Twice! 10 years apart. Miss you Alex.. I really do.

[@cacomuco1]

Bloody hell, a great, rare treat. Thank You Gersboy147!

[@alanmctavish4802]

Alex was my hero growing up in the 1980s. I will never ever forget the semi final in the 1982 world champoinship against jimmy white and white only needed about 15 points to win the match as he was 59 points ahead with 69 on the table. So in reality white was playing great and didnt leave any red on that was easy to pot, so he felt safe. Then what i seen next will stay with me forever and so say most if not all the great snooker players at that time and even after! As alex made a break of 69 to make it 17-17 each with one to play. And it was easily the greatest break ever seen on tv, as alex potted every ball and didnt keep position once, theres the famous long blue ball pot, as alex had to cue over alot of reds and pink to get to pot the blue on its spot with left hand side with deep screw back off the left cushion and back down to the reds next to the black spot, and the white ball was at least 5 feet and 5 inches up the table? Meaning it was about 6 inches away from the blue ball wich was at 6 foot on its spot exactly. After i saw that clearance, then how he beat ray reardon in the final by making a break of 135 to win the world crown for the second time, i thought he is the greatest player i have ever seen! The guy is a genius. Barry hearn said "i have watched that break of 69 alex made against jimmy in 1982 about a thousand times at least and theres about 5 or 6 shots he makes in that break that i just dont know how he managed to pot them? But then again its alex higgins, brilliant, just brilliant to watch" and that was barry hearn that said that! Steve davis said that alex was the best player he ever saw! I didnt expect steve to say that. Becouse they didnt get on. But steve said when a played alex a always felt the underdog, becouse he was also a great safety player, there was so much to his game that people never spoke about becouse he went for the hard long pots. But alex was the best safety player i ever played against. I would snooker alex then he would get out of it and snooker me back, then i would snooker him again then he would get out of it and snooker me back again and again...a mean there was no other player that had the skill to do that to me, it was only alex. And these were the hardest snookers i played against him, but some times he would come off 4 cushions and more if he had too. The man was just a great player, what else can you say, he could make a white ball talk! Rip alex and thanks

[@jamesgerrie9274]

I remember as a 16 year old watching it live on TV & remember the elderly lady shaking Steve's hand after frame one

[@politico9575]

Alex: "We are fucking back". Imagine if the BBC accidently broadcast that today. They'd be in meltdown for a week.

[@markwhittaker6866]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@MattBridger]

The hilarious thing is that it was an edit and not live. So they chose to show it. Yet Alex got fined. Go figure!

[@bigjohn1717]

The way Alex played half the balls should never have gone in, he was epic to watch. And still is. ❤

[@kazamshah4543]

It's crazy to think he was thrashed by El Tel in the quarters after this classic encounter

[@duncanbirss8923]

Love when Alex is introduced , no false modesty

[@joe2grand]

for me this is what makes Higgin's style so different and interesting - Doesnt follow the 'rulebook' of stance / staying still but still manages crazy shots ! Actually the body movement, it has been pointed out before, takes place fractionally after the shot. What gets me is his feathering and final delivery of the cue....there sort of is no pause, or at least he pauses while feathered up against the white and then seems to deliver the cue with no back swing at all ! Crazy stuff ! I dont see how he could have played like that !

[@damianjblack]

RIP Hurricane, you were one of snooker's great personalities!

[@tay2229]

Lol at the referee updating the crowd on the scoreline whilst Davis was in the middle of a shot.

[@makgeoff]

Difficult to compare eras. Remember Hendry & O'Sullivan watched these players growing up. Hendry was the 1st to start off the methodical but aggressive attacking style. Davis, in his prime, can pot the opponent off the table. Though he played the % game. Higgins can pot anyone off the table, & so was Kirk Stevens & White. If they played in this era, they'd hv adapted.

[@beasleycourt8873]

I remember Higgins winning this match, but I also remember he got fined afterwards for shouting "We are fucking back." Whilst he was celebrating with his supporters.

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

Higgins said "We are coming back."

[@markchambers3833]

@@JohnSmith-su3ze 1:31:33 Pretty sure it's "We are fucking back". 😂

[@mariasmith9233]

Thanks for uploading this full match.

[@simonjohnhinton1938]

Alex had a unique cueing style that was a bit hit n miss. But when he was on form he was brilliant.

[@markwhittaker6866]

Exactly.

[@zayk2981]

masters wembley was a fav of higgins and only the people's champion could fill an arena with that kind of support!

[@DoktorKoch]

thanks for the upload...quality viewing.

[@davidkirkham6941]

Alex higgins used to pull in the crowds .class act when he was going well lived for the buzz and excitmenent of the game i dont watch snooker as much now all a bit dull, he certainly was a character for all his faults brilliant in his prime.

[@stevenrolinson5527]

Ronnie O'Sullivan is the best player to ever hold a cue but Higgins was the most Unique player that ever played snooker totally unpredictable off the table and on the table great memories and battles Rip Alex

[@stanleyharrison7031]

Higgins vs Davis, the ultimate game of snooker. Great atmosphere, vast audience, coughing in the background firmly keeping part of this game in the smoky club, and sterling performances by both the hurricane and the nugget. awesome match

[@MD-pt3ju]

Nowadays the ultimate game of snooker is O'Sullivan vs Selby, its "dialectic" as Stephen Fry said. Whatever boring and flairy the players are, the best for snooker and for them is a mix of two. Steve Davis and Alex Higgins, Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White, Mark Selby and Ronnie O'Sullivan.

[@talkinghead3169]

Makes a 50 break, sits down, and his cigarette is still light! 😂

[@carolineg1872]

A time when the fans could get near their idols in all innocence without being deemed a complete nutter.

[@herr_pouya]

Alex Made His Shots More Difficult To Get The Audience ,But Anyway I Loved Him!

[@MrCarpmagic95]

I have watched this a few times now as its good to see how older styles of gameplay differ from todays.

[@mike-xt7qi]

Cut the crap people. Higgins was the greatest. Why? Because he not only took on but he potted shots that 99.9% of other players wouldn’t even take on. Was he the most consistent, did he have the best cue ball control? No way. But what he more than any other had was the ability make people sit up and take notice. The greatest.

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

Higgins is hands down the greatest of all-time. Other players couldn't even attempt the shots he played.

[@solveigthana2398]

@Bob Bishop, Higgins the greatest? Hilarious. He won one, yes ONE ranking tournament in his whole career. Never even made a maximum. He was a second-rater compared to today's players.

[@ianharrison2490]

@@solveigthana2398 World, the UK?

[@markchambers3833]

@@solveigthana2398 A two time world champion who revolutionised the game and inspired two generations of players is a "second rater"? 😂 Ranking tournaments is a nonsensical stat to use when dealing with a player of Higgins' generation - the world championship wasn't a ranking event the first time he won it in 1972, nor the UK Championship both times he won it. What was Higgins supposed to do, time travel? He's one of only 11 players in history to win the WC, UK and Masters. That achievement alone would be enough to put him into the all-time top rank of snooker players, let alone his charisma, skill and influence. I'm happy to take Ronnie O'Sullivan's opinion over yours any day - Higgins was "the greatest". Maybe you think Ronnie's a "second rater" as well?

[@countbasi4680]

@@markchambers3833 Do you really think Ronnie is going to say 'I loved Higgins. He was great but not as great as me'. Get in the real world.

[@ulalaFrugilega]

Thanks for posting!

[@randomusernamewibble]

Nice one statto! These 'geezers' won 8 world titles between them, on thick cloth! Notice how they have to thump each shot to get any action? The harder you hit the ball the more chance of imparting unwanted side. That means you have to have a great cue action. Also some of the subtle little shots modern players take for granted were just impossible on those thick cloths. O'Sullivan is awesome, But if he turned pro in 1978 he wouldn't have scored 678 centuries in 20 years.

[@cjns5253]

Alex Higgins won the Masters in 1981 the World championship in 1982 and the UK championship in 1983 he completed snookers triple crown in the space of 3 years

[@scottthefunk]

Benson & Hedges snooker with all that coughing lol.

[@markwhittaker6866]

😂😂😂😂

[@Billdick360]

Alex was a wizard with his wand!

[@Kidsgrove49]

I hadn't seen this one. Rare victory for Higgins over Davis. It's incredible Higgins won anything with that cue action, but somehow he did. Sad how he ended up, flawed genious and all that.

[@cianomahony8732]

Good to see a rangers fan supporting an irish man

[@Jordi1872.]

Big irish man when he was sitting in the Rangers bar in the Shankill and chucking rocks at fenians pal

[@seanpaul3050]

I was there at the Wembley conference centre that night. Was just a kid. I remember the crowd shouting out a lot more than you can hear in this video. I also remember the referee staring at me because I was eating a packet of crisps and making a lot of noise when Steve Davis was playing after the interval Ha ha ha

[@christschinwon]

My goodness the couching epidemic in 85 has not been surpassed!

[@inkfunk]

Yes, we bought our couch around 85/86 and it's still going strong

[@Mrphilharmonic]

43.56" ALMOST the same shot (but a red this time) that cost him the 1985 World Championships, and missed almost the SAME WAY!! Talk about prophetic!

[@killerqueen501]

All sports improve over time Remember these guys would guzzle lager and smoke during matches Ronnie O Sullivan spent thousands on a Sports Psychologist during his last world title win Money has improved and incentives are higher. Players practice more these days, have scientific data available to help them perform better. They can study opponents via internet These old guys had character these days its robotic Old guys were pioneers. Preventing snooker from becoming like Cricket Darts Bowls

[@colinbradley9551]

I remember this being on sports night with I think harry Carpenter (fantastic memories)

[@byronelenica8329]

Alex Higgins.... the greatest snooker player ever.

[@ZVYZS]

Unbelievable giving cards shaking hands while re racking .... Totally amazed by the legend hero snookers man Alex Higgins RIP. Some of these shots are even today amazing . Sadly Steve Davis how ever good he was , it was snooker by the dull book measured (bit like Peter ebdon.) . Fantastic match and wonderful game. Who ever uploaded this plz do more .

[@markchambers3833]

Steve Davis was nowhere near as boring as Ebdon though.

[@MrMartinmozz]

35:06! Genius:)

[@MattBridger]

It's the drop of the shoulder that does it 😁

[@MrXelyus69]

This happens in almost every sport. How more a game grows how more competitive it gets and how more players are on it & how better the players become over the time. When "young" players have to improve to surpass the "old" players, some of them get better because they learn from what their idols do and this goes on and on and on. You will rarely see a game/sport's overall level decrease over the time. it will only improve because everyone has to surpass eachother to be the best.

[@soniaellis163]

The cannon alex played with the 2 reds at the top of the bunch was the shot of the match , absolutely brilliant and i miss all that, but i will finish with Steve Davies description of alex on the bbc documentary about him "Great Snooker Player".

[@rogerscottcathey]

Just look at the nice floor and warm environs. Nowadays the milieu looks like a converted laundromat or gym.

[@perlefisker]

It's nice to see how the game has come a long way since this match was played. (The general health has also improved - at least there's much less coughing these days)

[@shunkadee1299]

I love Higgins. I love what a character he was, I love his natural talent and was always pleased to see him win BUT the sad truth of it is that if he was born later and attempted to make it as a professional today, with his character flaws and demons it simply wouldn't have been enough. I honestly believe (and it makes me sad that I think this but...) he would have been one of those characters that many snooker clubs have who people say "Such an incredible talent but he'll never make it in the big time because of his attitude". ( I actually play at the snooker club in Wales where Mark Williams learned his trade and there is a fella there who grew up with Mark that many of the old heads said was better but he loved the booze, women and gambling too much)

[@mattan147]

Shunka Dee Yes, well said. For example, how could Higgins compete with the clinical perfectionism of Mark Selby?

[@richardoneill4314]

Bring back the good old days of snooker drinking and real characters We always used to enjoy the news to see what the next scandal would be Alex never disappointed as well as being a fantastic player I am definitely old school you can tell going on 57

[@bluedoor4435]

There you go Barry hearn just say it, that is what snooker needs today👍

[@freeworld467]

Top 2 ever: 1. John Parrott 2. Cliff Thornburn

[@alexandersimpson3638]

Free World slower and slower lol 😂

[@garethmason5038]

the best player in the world alex hurricaine higgens

[@Billdick360]

When having this GOAT discussion everyone overlooks Graham Miles.😀

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

Agreed. And Jim Meadowcroft and Patsy Fagan.

[@Greggieboy76]

O'Sullivan, John Higgins and Stephen Hendry are the 3 GOAT's imho. 3 of John Higgins' world titles were won at a time where competition has never been so good! Alex Higgins is by far the most entertainment though for me.

[@paulhyland7456]

"We are f***ing back"! Fighting, obviously.

[@dartsfan9831]

Go back to the time when we had commentators and summarisers in televised matches, they don't speak as much as today

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

1:01:17 Even Ronnie couldn't pull off this shot. Higgins is the greatest of all-time!

[@johnjones9689]

Rubbish.

[@wayneholmes6460]

John is on drugs

[@didiermommaert5426]

next round was against Terry Griffiths , Higgins lost 5-1

[@ianwilliamson2980]

alex had that killer instinct that break in last frame was amazing

[@joe2grand]

Best Players Ever - Top 5 1. Walter Lindrum 2.Dominic Dale 3. Jimmy Brown 4.Louis XIV 5. Peter Ebdon

[@markswan6466]

there are quite a few people here slagging alex higgins of .ok he had his pitfalls no-ones perfect. but before anyone else puts him down just take a minute and think What great things have YOU done with your life.and HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER YOU WHEN YOUR DEAD AND GONE ?.

[@andymcnab2.0]

Higgins made that last frame as difficult as he could for himself

[@DodgeCity111]

Alex drove his car from the Sandy row in Belfast to the tournament drunk, played the match over 3 bottles of brandy and 800 cigarettes, then drove home and went out on the lash.

[@mariasmith9233]

Yeah, the breaks didn't tend to be so high back in those days; not so regularly the case anyway. You're right, people can't really judge by different eras. I agree

[@Bigbaz86]

One of the greatest matches ever. Rowdy as only Wembley could be in those days. Typical Alex having beaten the nugget he lost to Griffiths next round.

[@countbasi4680]

For all the fawners in the comments, this was a 1st round match. 2nd round, thrashed by Terry Griffiths.

[@moggiee1]

Golden days

[@maikapadronrodriguez2936]

David icke!

[@ianclarke3627]

That was my first thought

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

People say Fred Davis couldn't have competed with today's players, but he would have adapted

[@JW-th4nn]

39:08 vintage Higgins!

[@topneorej]

There is less pressure when you are under it;-)

[@johnmc3862]

Higgins, the original ‘Peoples favourite’.

[@flappospammo]

ironic how they always said steve was boring as he played in so many classic matches

[@ulalaFrugilega]

Flappo Spammo I think he was just elegant. Like Gary Cooper vs John Wayne.

[@kevinnicholls2442]

legend

[@KrisNebroso]

1. Alex Higgins 2. Ronnie O’Sullivan 3. Stephen Hendry 4. Steve Davis 5. Jimmy White

[@gerthie]

Higgins magnetism is dynamite

[@mickharrison9004]

Sounds like a doctors waiting room with all the coughing lol.

[@maherabdeqader381]

In my view, the best 6 snooker players ever: 1. Ronnie 2- Alex 3- S Hendry 4- S Davis 5- J White 6- Ray Readon

[@mattan147]

Maher Abdulkadir John Higgins miles better than Alex Higgins.

[@flappospammo]

Good choices !

[@Bahtijaro]

heheee 43:53 ;) similar shot he missed against Taylor the same year few months later

[@dlamiss]

spot on. The shot here looked slightly harder though

[@flappospammo]

we are fucking back !! only one alex higgins

[@amdistant5547]

As far as tournaments Hendry, Davis and O" Sullivan maybe better, but Alex Higgins is who made the sport worth watchable and inspired a generation of youngsters like O'Sullivan to take up snooker, so in that regards Higgins was better than winning prizes and tournaments.

[@MrCarpmagic95]

I also feel the audience back then clap at correct times rather than for any old shot like now days. Take Steves blue for example at around 11:25 which was not that hard a shot in my opinion because it was the natural angle for the white really, yet today it would have had 5 minutes of clapping but here not a clap was heard. The next red with the white nr the cushion wouldnt have got claps today but imo was a far harder shot. The crowd here clapped but today it wouldnt have got one.

[@lakmeister]

Lol the scenes at the end...never see Selbellend get that!!!!

[@robbrownhill312]

the 3 fastest ever osullivan , white, higgins the 3 slowest ever griffiths , charlton, thorburn

[@flappospammo]

lol , eddie charlton was glacial level

[@Spencerlayne]

I can't believe how they used to boo Steve

[@Squab1972]

spencer layne so unfair and hateful towards Steve Davis, was there any reason for that ?

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

@@Squab1972 Entirely appropriate! Davis bored everyone to death! Steve Davis started killed snooker, then Hendry pissed on its corpse Higgins gave birth to snooker, Davis and Hendry destroyed it

[@Squab1972]

@@JohnSmith-su3zeI am sorry but I disagree with your comment, Alex Higgins was rude uncouth and belligerent towards officials and his fellow professionals especially when he had a lot of alcohol to drink, when he was sober he was really nice and pleasant. Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry were very professional and treated officials with respect as well as their fellow players but didn't drink alcohol during their matches. They were not boring to watch especially when they were at the peak of their of their sport, as for the booing that was inappropriate and uncalled for.

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

@@Squab1972 You are so misguided and wrong-headed its unbelievable. Alex Higgins was totally respectful to officials and on the rare occasion he wasn't, it was the officials fault. Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry were very unprofessional because they had no regard for snooker fans. They literally played the most boring snooker imaginable and should have been sent to jail for the damage they did to snooker

[@Squab1972]

@@JohnSmith-su3ze utter crap, I was referring to Alex Higgins when he was drunk and agressive his attitude towards other people changed, when he was sober he was the nicest person you could meet. Hendry and Davis did respect Higgins as a professional which was mentioned in quite a few interviews. Alex Higgins was always on self destruct mode his friends and family tried to help him but sadly he refused that help, and he died alone for me which was really sad.

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

34:15 The single solitary Steve Davis fan claps Steve's terrible safety shot

[@mrghiax]

This wasn't steve davis finest hour. When he was on song in the 1980s, he used to win frames in one visit just like todays players. Bear in mind that the tables and balls were changed to enable higher breaks in later years. This was done for tv viewing reasons. Even Stephen Hendry said that the fancy shots they play today couldn't be done on older tables. Davis, Hendry were great champions, not only capable of winning a title, but going on to defend it as well. O'Sullivan though is a genius.

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

Crowd went wild for Alex like a rock concert, the crowd boo'ed Davis. Obvious who the best player was.

[@johnlayfiled9018]

I am the greatest snooker player of our time

[@Jordi1872.]

john layfiled I totally agree.

[@Nebula_Ultra]

The year i was born.

[@user-se4xk2qm7b]

GOOD..

[@seanmchugh6759]

Hey, that's David Icke's voice at the start, before his spiritual conversion in 1990...