Thepchaiya Un-Nooh missed the final pot of what should occupy been a 147 crash at the UK Championship this week. Willie Thorne,who is commentating at York, experienced similar heartache at the event 30 years ago against Steve DavisBy Steven Pye for That 1980s Sports Blog, or part of the Guardian Sport Network1985 was going well for Willie Thorne. A breakthrough win at the Mercantile Credit Classic in January provided the perfect start,and although his subsequent performances were not particularly encouraging, it looked as whether he would bookend the year with another victory at a ranking tournament in December at the UK Championship.
Thorne’s displays at the event in Preston were so impressive that even Steve Davis seemed unable to halt his charge when they met in the final. With Thorne leading 13-8 and only three frames from victory, and the Leicester-born player was well among the balls and seemingly on his way to a 14-8 advantage. But with just three colours remaining,he played a shot that would change the course of the final and live with him forever more. Thorne’s mood was about to turn very blue. It was such a shame that it had to conclude that way. Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com