[3] John White (Sco) bt [4] Jonathon Power (Can)
15/11, 7/15, 15/13, 15/11 (83m)
WHITE CROWNED PRINCE
AT THE CRUCIBLE
"There's been a Mister White trying to win a trophy here for a long time," said compere Malcolm Willstrop at the presentations for the inaugural Prince English Open at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.
Willstrop's Words
He was referring to Jimmy White, the many-time runner-up in the world
Snooker Championships.
John White won on his first attempt. His 3/1 win over Jonathon Power
finished controversially, but produced a 'home' winner in this
Prince-sponsored event.
White started poorly, going 4-0 down in the first on his own errors. He quickly discovered the form he has shown all week though, taking a first game which produced a lot of lets towards the end 15/11.
Power has been playing well too, this week, and in games two and three he showed the packed Crucible crowd his talents. He raced away in the second, with a series of wrong-footing winners, and produced the same magic for much of the third to lead 11-7.
It had been physical all the way through, but when Power bowled White over he received a warning, and a let. "How can that be a warning AND a let?" asked a distraught White.
If White was distraught at that, Power was even more so when White was awarded a let on a ball the, in Power's words, he "buried".
White wasn't distracted though, as he clawed his way back - even performing a Power-like miraculous diving retrieval at 12-12 - which he reached thanks to a conduct stroke against Power for "language". White took the game and the lead, 15-13.
"I basically blew it there," said Power afterwards. "I was well in control, and if I'd taken the third I would have won from that position."
White assumed control though, and maintained a lead throughout the fourth. There were numerous lets, collisions, argument, but White stayed ahead, reaching 13-11. Power wanted a stroke at this point, and looked to deserve one, but was only granted a let. He wasn't happy, but worse was to follow.
At 14-11 match ball Power scrambled for the ball, expecting a let. There was no instant decision - the crowd probably assumed it was a let, but after discussions the referee announced "no let, match to White." Power broke his racket over his knee in disgust. White was the champion.
"It's a pity it had to end on a no let," said White, "but it's great to win the first squash event here - especially as a Prince player!
"It's difficult playing Jonathon," he said. "He never lets you get into a rhythm. I kept telling myself to be patient, and I think I kept my head better than he did, which probably helped me win."
Power was rueful rather than upset in defeat. "I've lost a few games," he said, "but it was an ugly match overall, not very fluid. I think the ref cost me countless points, there were some terrible decisions at the end of the third. I didn't lose my head, I refocused well after every decision, but the points cost me."
But as White said, "a win's a win", and when it makes you the first champion of a prestigious new event in a famous venue it must be doubly sweet.
Hail Prince John.
Celebrity Exhibition
Ellery Hanley 3
James Willstrop 0
(former England Rugby League Captain v World Junior Champion)
See clips from the
final in the
VIDEO VAULT
See clips from the
final in the
VIDEO VAULT