Benson & Hedges Masters 1997 (original) (raw)

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 overRonnie 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.