The tensest final of World Cup 1985: Dennis Taylor vs. Steve Davis
World Cup 1985 final played between Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis is considered as one of the greatest and tensest finals the people have ever watched as a record audience of 18.5 million people watched the on televisions. It is also known as the “Black
Ball Finish.”
Steve Davis who also was the defending champion and a dominant player of the 1980’s outplayed his opponent leading him by 7-0, which was then extended to 8-0. However an attempt for the pot of the green ball from Davis which he missed in the 9th frame
was the real turning point, as Taylor then bounced back and made the scores 7-9 and then 11-11 later on. From there on, the pair traded frames until Davis took a lead of one frame and the scores became 15-17. However Taylor clawed his way back and equalled
the scores by 17-17 and the match went into the final frame.
It was the longest match which went for 68 minutes as there were so many safety shots played in that frame and the tension which had developed is inexpressible. Steve who is known for his cool nerves was even noticed having the frame on his nerves
and on the other side Taylor was in the same situation.
The 1985 World Cup final was voted as the ‘9th greatest sporting moment’ in 2002 by a Channel 4 poll.
During the last frame the crowd at the Crucible Theater was noteworthy. The players were seen doing the breathing exercises from time to time and talking to them as well, it was amazing.
Steve Davis had a lead of 57-44 when the colour balls started, on the top of it he had potted the yellow ball with the rest when Taylor tried to save it but somehow couldn’t and left Davis with a straight shot. Davis tried to snooker the green ball
which he did, but not the way he meant. However, Taylor got himself through with it by using a spin shot, and on the very next shot it was fluked by Davis, like they say ‘as the luck would have it.’ Now Davis was having a lead of 62-44 and he was left with
four colour balls: brown, blue, pink and the black.
Steve only needed one ball there to reach the finish line but it was never easy. Both of the players tried potting the brown for a while, played a few safety shots as well when finally Taylor showed his nerves and potted all three balls, brown, blue
and pink. The game reached the last black ball as the winner-takes-all-balls.
It can be said undoubtedly that the pressure at that time was almost sky high for the players and the viewers both.
Both players were seen missing simple pots which were not even hitting the jaws. They fairly had their chances when Taylor missed a straight black ball’s pot in the last pocket and gave Steve a chance. It was a simple cut shot that a player like Steve
Davis might not miss 999 times out of a 1000 , but he missed it and left Taylor with a simple and straight black ball’s pot to take away the trophy.
Finally, Dennis Taylor potted the black ball, waived his cue in the air above his head with both hands and became the World Champion for the first time.
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