Steve Davis v Alex Higgins - 1984 Jameson International Quarter Final (Best of 9 Frames)

The Quarter Final of the Jameson, from the Eldon Square Recreation Centre Newcastle.
Taken from an old VHS with some signs of wear but considering it's 38 years old, isn't to bad.
Presented by Dickie Davies, with commentary by Jon Pulman, Dennis Taylor, Mark Wildman and Ray Edmonds.

[@EannaButler]

Steve a real legend. Most important man in snooker - showed how to properly dominate. Those that have dominated since have used the Davis playbook - Hendry, O'Sullivan, Higgins, Selby. Coupling bravery with talent and hard work...

[@stuartwilliams-fw4vo]

Such nonsense. Hearn and his puppet Davis have been the ruination of the game. A repulsive duo.

[@killerrabbit2693]

​@stuartwilliams-fw4vo You taken your meds?

[@stuartwilliams-fw4vo]

@@killerrabbit2693 Magnificent humour!

[@killerrabbit2693]

@stuartwilliams-fw4vo Have you? Serious question as you seem unhinged. Seek medical attention at your earliest convenience.

[@dean147uk]

@@stuartwilliams-fw4vo Your comedy is gold; you should post on here more often!

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

love the video game intro

[@damienspurs147]

This is magic Stephen 💙

[@stuartwilliams-fw4vo]

Former Jameson runner-up Taylor in the commentary box.

[@thesufi]

Some random play from Steve there at the end - how did he miss that blue in the middle at 1:11:42? And miles away on the 2nd attempt.

[@chrisjames9688]

Need some hopping Higgins videos

[@parksyist]

Can't believe Higgins turned down the red in frame 4

[@tylerhay6560]

Good point but at least the shot he played was a good one

[@ianwilliamson2980]

Would you believe Dicky is still alive age 89

[@stewartmcrae8007]

he passed a while ago now Jill Douglas announced it on one of the ITV events

[@parksyist]

I think he was worried about Steve Davis 😅

[@boogalaloopala2738]

Alex taking advantage of the promotional whiskey

[@alanmctavish4802]

During the 1980s i always wonderd why alex lost to steve as much as he did? A mean steve was beating alex nearly every time i watched them, and steve didnt just beat him he hammerd alex! But my point is steve couldnt do anything that alex couldnt do, and alex could do it better! Maybe if alex played for himself and not to the gallery he would have won so much more becouse he sure had the skill and then some. A mean 1982 proved that against jimmy white when alex did that famous 69 break, and i still watch it. I have never seen a break like that before while under so much pressure! Plus alex was a great safety player, probably the greatest out them all wich is rarely mentionend. But steve davis has spoke about alex lots of times over the years about how great he was and his all round play, steve said "alex was the best safety player i played against, i would snooker him then he would get out of the snooker plus snooker me back, then i would do it again then he would snooker me back again and again. There wasnt any other player that could do that against me, alex was just brilliant, he was even great to watch when he played against me" (steve laughs)

[@DouglasCarnall]

100% 👍

[@johntcashdown1363]

Steve knew Alex was a better player than him, probably why he praises him as opposed to banging on about his 27-5 record against him. But Steve (and Barry Hearn also knew) As well as Alex playing to the fans, that Steve could capitalise with his greater self control and discipline. But it’s also worth noting that some other professionals of that era had similar records against Davis, whilst some never beat him at all. Wasn’t it Reardon that scored the most victories against him, but Steve still won more?

[@jasonhall4734]

Agreed about steve davis. Still the greatest, though Higgins was the most skilled of all time

[@amarjeetdot]

Classy audience, decoration with plants and players smoking.

[@mickharrison9004]

Dont forget by these times davis was just starting out ,were as alex in his prime was going downhill with life too .

[@dean147uk]

Just starting out? This was 1984! Davis had already won the World Championship THREE times, at this point!

[@mickharrison9004]

@@dean147uk he was still early in his career ,anyway it's trivial talk about a legend of the game .

[@michaelgaskell2031]

Alex was inconsistent. Steve worked hard. What you put in is what u get

[@tylerhay6560]

Alex certainly had his moments but for me, Steve was generally a far superior player.

[@digeme69]

Most definitely, Davis won 25 of their 31 matches with 5 losses and a draw.

[@thomasgray5406]

Yes, even though I was a huge Higgins fan, Davis' record shows he was far superior in his career. However, Alex was a trailblazer and revolutionised snooker in the early 70s, breaking the closed shop of primarily older players and a rather dubious establishment and introducing shots that have become popular; yes, top players execute those shots better than Alex did but it takes someone to introduce different philosophies/approaches. Davis himself said that Higgins is the only player he would describe as a 'genius' and that he wouldn't even extend that description to O'Sullivan. Of course, everyone knows how Higgins' lifestyle compromised his game but I think you need to appreciate how the game and equipment have changed. For example, in the early 70s, the cloths were still very slow and the balls were the old material, very few players could screw back the way modern players do now, Alex was one but he wasn't as good as John Spencer at it. In addition, you needed stamina in those days, I remember watching Higgins beat Rex Williams 37-32 in the semi final of the 1972 World Championship! Now modern snooker formats, even in the World Championship, have been greatly reduced in frames. Finally, you at least knew Higgins and Thorburn had a chance against Davis because they wouldn't soil their pants, e.g. Higgins coming back from 7-0 down to him in the UK Championship 1983; most players were mentally beaten against Davis before the first shot.

[@waynejackel3563]

@@digeme69 Ello Trev How,s Tricks Can you upload show these for Er Indoors during this Long Harsh Cost Of Living Winter. 1989 Hendry v Parrott Masters Final. 1989 UK Final Hendry v Davis and the 1989 Everest Matchplay Final White v Parrott from Brentwood Essex. The 1988 Natwest Cricket Final Middlesex.v Worcs. Relish if you you Fix These. Stay Lucky. Wayne From Golders Green.

[@waynejackel3563]

@@digeme69 Just got Home from the Night Shift at the Tate and Lyle Sugar Factory The 1989 UK Final.I have taken a Butchers at Previously from your Channel Top Notch Trev Stunning Snooker I Remember it Well.Like Yesterday Wayne.

[@digeme69]

@@waynejackel3563 Hello Wayne. The last session of the UK is already up. The 88 Nat West i'd like to see myself and I know of others who'd also like to see it. All the best

[@stevenwinton1194]

Alex Higgins was the original people's champion Steve Davis has said there was only one true genius in snooker was Alex Higgins

[@colinjennings3661]

Alex was a madman. It's why Hearn wouldn't touch him.

[@alanmctavish4802]

I can remember thinking that alex was the smartest dresser in the 1980s. He had great style, and as a player to of course.

[@ronniebray596]

Please say you were joking right?

[@alanmctavish4802]

I was a bit shocked when alex sent the cue ball flying into mid air at the end! But what a great player alex was. Every player from this era were bad losers, they all admitted what they did after losing a match. Steve davis lost a major match then went strait into his room and snapped his cue in half and said "well your no use to me anyway" barry hearn said "steve stop doing that your costing us more money again" lol stephen hendry used to punsh holes in his room walls and smash up his cue and everything else! Most of them acted in this sort of way. When your so dedicated to a sport then you lose its only human nature not to be angry! Some players just cant wait till they get to there room, as we saw here!

[@rbrb288]

Henry and Davis had the same cue for decades, I smell Billy bullshit

[@mrghiax]

@@rbrb288 It was the same cue, 14 new pieces of wood and 17 new tips

[@craiggibson7123]

@@mrghiax yes Trigger 😂

[@ianwilliamson2980]

Dicky age 52 here still alive today

[@ianwilliamson2980]

If Alex dident drink or smoke I'm sure he would have won lot more.bur he wouldn't be the character he was I guess.

[@Valentina-cl2kn]

ООООООООООО!!!! ШЕДЕВРАЛЬНОЕ ИСПОЛНЕНИЕ СПАСИБО БОЛЬШОЕ УКРАИНА ЗАПОРОЖЬЕ

[@adrianwright8685]

1:13:11 Higgins , always the gentleman, concedes in his usual gracious manner.

[@mattgaskell945]

I loved watching Higgins back then. Electric at times. But Davis was a far superior player, and a far superior human being.

[@ianwilliamson2980]

Dicky Davis with skunk hairstyle

[@ronniebray596]

Was there something mentally wrong with Higgins?

[@stewartmcrae8007]

no he just had a bit of personality something that you are clearly lacking

[@ronniebray596]

@@stewartmcrae8007 🙄🤦🏻‍♂️

[@stewartmcrae8007]

@@ronniebray596 do you have to use emojis to express yourself

[@ronniebray596]

@stewartmcrae8007 oh Jesus calm down I freely asked a genuine question

[@stewartmcrae8007]

@@ronniebray596 you were trying to be funny and failed miserably it was a stupid and unnecessary comment

[@ocn14s]

Bit of childish behaviour from Alex at the end of the game after missing the blue - losing gracefully wasn't his best quality

[@paulofarrell6498]

He could be a gracious loser when he wanted to be. It probably depended on how much drink he had consumed and whatever happened to be going on in his tumultuous private life.

[@stevecoombs203]

Alex played some amazing shots throughout his career but an awful human being

[@stewartmcrae8007]

What a incredibly stupid thing to say

[@supersharpblades5673]

When you look at higgins now compared to the modern day players, you realise he was nothing more than average.

[@rbrb288]

30 years on and the standard get better, who would have thought

[@digeme69]

But one must take into account the conditions back in the 80s. Many have alluded to this including Steve Davis. The Balls were far heavier and the cloths were much thicker. Of course 38 years later the standard is much higher but if the top players back then were playing today with the fine cloths and lighter balls, I'm sure they would hold their own.

[@johnmc3862]

Lol! So you think it would be normal a guy from 80's could run as fast as Usain Bolt! It's called evolution. The players in years to come will be better than 2days players, fact. It's what happens. Players wouldn't be as good 2day only for the standards set by Davis/Higgins etc. Ronnie was hugely inspired by Higgins.

[@johnmc3862]

@@digeme69 Also there was a lot less professionals then therefore it was far less competitive. The standard improves with so many playing and more can make a living at it now.

[@supersharpblades5673]

@@johnmc3862 Lol! So basically you agree with what I said then. Higgins today would be average compared to todays players. 🤷🏻‍♂️🙄