1990 World Snooker Championship

Professional snooker tournament July 2025 1990 Embassy World Snooker Championship 1990 04 13 1990 04 29 y Crucible Theatre Sheffield England World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association Ranking event £620,800 £120,000 John Parrott ENG (140) Stephen Hendry SCO Jimmy White ENG 18–12 1989 1991 The 1990 World Snooker Championship,also referred to as the 1990 Embassy World Snooker Championship for the purposes of sponsorship was a professional snooker tournament that took place between 13 and 29 April 1990 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England. There was a total prize fund of £620,800. Organised by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, it was the tenth and final ranking event of the 1989–90 snooker season and the fourteenth consecutive World Snooker Championship to be held at the Crucible, the first tournament at this location having taken place in 1977. The defending champion was Steve Davis, who won the previous year's final 18–3 over John Parrott. Davis reached the semi-finals of the event, where he was defeated 14–16 by Jimmy White. White contested the final against Stephen Hendry, who defeated Parrott in the other semi-final 16–11. Hendry led 9–7 after the first day's play and won the first four frames of the second day to lead 13–7, before White reduced the gap to four frames. At 16–12, Hendry compiled breaks of 81 and 71 to win the match 18–12, claiming his first world title. In so doing, he became the youngest-ever world champion at the age of 21 years and 106 days. There were 18 century breaks made during the tournament, the highest of which was 140 made by Parrott. The first four rounds of the qualifying competition were played at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool from 22 to 27 January 1990, and the fifth and final round was played at Preston Guild Hall from 26 to 27 March. From this, 16 players qualified for the main event, where they met the 16 invited seeded players. The tournament was broadcast in the United Kingdom by the BBC, and was sponsored by the Embassy cigarette company. As champion, Hendry received £120,000 out of the total prize fund. Overview The World Snooker Championship is an annual professional snooker tournament organised by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).Harris 2020 227–237 The cue sport of snooker was invented in the late 19th century by British Army soldiers stationed in India,Williams 2015 286 and later became popular in the British Isles.Harris 2020 227–237 However, in the modern era, which started in 1969 when the World Championship reverted to a knockout format, John Higgins Eyes More Crucible Titles https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/5276218/John-Higgins-eyes-more-Crucible-titles.html The Telegraph London 5 May 2009 13 April 2020 registration "the modern era, which began in 1969 when the World Championship became a knockout event." https://web.archive.org/web/20100430020307/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/snooker/5276218/John-Higgins-eyes-more-Crucible-titles.html 30 April 2010 live it has become increasingly popular worldwide, especially in East and Southeast Asian nations such as China, Hong Kong and Thailand.The Rise Of China wst.tv World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association 26 February 2018 13 March 2019 http://www.worldsnooker.com/the-rise-of-china/ https://web.archive.org/web/20180419145915/http://www.worldsnooker.com/the-rise-of-china/ 19 April 2018 liveWilson Bill 24 April 2015 Snooker Looks to Cue up More Big Breaks in China https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32429022 BBC News 9 May 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200305033819/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32429022 5 March 2020 liveAgence France-Presse 17 March 2018 Snooker World Champion, Hongkonger Ng On-Yee Aims to Change Image of Male-Dominated Game https://hongkongfp.com/2018/03/17/snooker-world-champion-hongkonger-ng-yee-aims-change-image-male-dominated-game/ Hong Kong Free Press 9 May 2020 16 August 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190816141250/https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/03/17/snooker-world-champion-hongkonger-ng-yee-aims-change-image-male-dominated-game/ live The 1990 championship featured 32 professional players competing in one-on-one snooker matches in a single-elimination format, each round being played over a pre-determined number of frames, and each match divided into two or more sessions containing a set number of frames.Downer 2019 30–31 These competitors in the main tournament were selected using a combination of the top players in the snooker world rankings and the winners of a pre-tournament qualification stage.Downer 2019 201 The top 16 players in the world rankings automatically qualified for the event, the remaining 16 players coming through the qualification rounds. It was the tenth and final ranking event of the 1989–90 snooker season, and the fourteenth consecutive World Snooker Championship to be held at the Crucible, the first tournament there having taken place in 1977.Smith 1990a 14 Crucible Celebrates 40 Years of Hosting Snooker Worlds https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/crucible-reaches-a-milestone/55590 Sporting Life UK 12 April 2017 16 March 2021 The defending champion in 1989 was Steve Davis, who had defeated John Parrott 18–3 in the final of the 1988 World Snooker Championship to win his sixth world title.Pye Steven How Steve Davis Won His Sixth and Final World Snooker Championship in 1989 https://www.theguardian.com/sport/that-1980s-sports-blog/2015/apr/17/snooker-world-championship-steve-davis-1989-john-parrott-stephen-hendry The Guardian 17 April 2015 31 July 2021 22 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210522144442/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/that-1980s-sports-blog/2015/apr/17/snooker-world-championship-steve-davis-1989-john-parrott-stephen-hendry live The tournament was sponsored by cigarette brand Embassy, and was also referred to as the Embassy World Snooker Championship.Embassy Bow out on High Note Snooker Scene June 2005 Everton's News Agency Birmingham 0269-0756 3 The tournament was broadcast in the United Kingdom by the BBC. Prize fund The winner of the event received UK 120,000 1982 eq yes £ from a total prize fund of UK 620,800 1982 eq yes £. The breakdown of prize money for this year is shown below:Where the £620,800 Went Snooker Scene June 1990 7–19Smith 1990a 22–25 Winner: £120,000 Runner-up: £72,000 Semi-final: £36,000 Quarter-final: £18,000 Last 16: £9,000 Last 32: £5,000 Fifth qualifying round losers: £4,000 Fourth qualifying round losers: £2062.50 Third qualifying round losers: £400 Second qualifying round losers: £250 Televised rounds highest break: £12,000 Qualifying rounds highest break: £3,000 Televised rounds maximum break: £100,000 Tournament summary Qualifying The first four rounds of the qualifying competition were played at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool from 22 to 27 January 1990, and the fifth round was played at Preston Guild Hall from 26 to 27 March.Where It's At Snooker Scene January 1990 28 Yates Phil Wattana Relieved to Oust Spencer Snooker Scene March 1990 27 All qualifying round matches were the best-of-19 frames.Downer 2019 201 Bill Werbeniuk, who had been expelled from the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association for refusing to pay a fine relating to the use of Beta blockers, was permitted to compete in a tournament for the first time since September 1988.Smith Terry Werbeniuk Returns in Search of a Break The Daily Telegraph 22 January 1990 31 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-werb/174753272/ Newspapers.comWerbeniuk Suffers a Sobering Return The Journal Newcastle 23 January 1990 15 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-werbsuff/174753337/ Newspapers.com He lost 1–10 to Nigel Bond. Bond was one of nine first-season professionals in the championship; all nine won their first-round matches, including James Wattana who eliminated Joe Grech 10–4.Yates Phil Werbeniuk Finds No Recipe for Success Snooker Scene March 1990 21 In the second round, Marcel Gauvreau defeated 1957 runner-up Jackie Rea after needing two snookers required snookers in the deciding frame.Yates Phil Gauvreau Makes Recovery of Season Snooker Scene March 1990 23 Eight-time champion Fred Davis, aged 76, was eliminated 6–10 by Ian Brumby.Hall of Fame https://www.snooker.org/trn/hof2.asp?sort=Year&order=asc&pEvent=World Snooker.org 18 June 2025 14 May 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240514182354/https://www.snooker.org/trn/hof2.asp?sort=Year&order=asc&pEvent=World live In the third round, Murdo MacLeod recovered from 2–7 behind to defeat Nick Dyson 10–9.Yates Phil MacLeod Steals Win from 2–7 Snooker Scene March 1990 25 In another match that went to the deciding frame, Mick Price won the last three frames to defeat Steve Duggan. Brady Gollan beat Kirk Stevens 10–6, and Andrew Cairns defeated six-time champion Ray Reardon 10–8. Round four saw three-time former champion John Spencer eliminated 8–10 by Wattana.Higgins Faces Wattana The Northern Echo 29 January 1990 12 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-northern-echo-north-durham-ed-hig/174753428/ Newspapers.com Jim Chambers defeated 1974 runner-up Graham Miles 10–5. In the final qualifying round, Darren Morgan, Mark Bennett and Danny Fowler all recovered from 7–9 down, to defeat Bob Chaperon, Rex Williams and Barry West respectively. Nigel Gilbert made the highest break of the qualifying competition, 135, in the eleventh frame of his 10–6 win against David Roe. Bond and Price had both made breaks of 131 that were the highest before this. Silvino Francisco lost 7–10 to Gary Wilkinson and thus failed to qualify for the main event for the first time since 1982. Two-time world champion Alex Higgins qualified for the Crucible by beating Wattana 10–6, after missing out the previous year.Hurricane Is Too Good for Thai-Phoon Telegraph and Argus 28 March 1990 39 https://www.newspapers.com/article/telegraph-and-argus-hurri/174903244/ Newspapers.com First round The first round took place between 13 and 18 April, each match played over two sessions as the best of 19 frames.Downer 2019 30 Eight different nationalities were represented, and there were four debutants at the main event this year: Gilbert, Gollan, Tony Chappel and Alain Robidoux, who all lost in the opening round.Smith Terry England Lead the Way – with Wales a Distant Second The Daily Telegraph 13 April 1990 25 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-eltw/174891494/ Newspapers.comDowner 2019 30–31,159,201 Chappel, in what turned out to be his only appearance at the main tournament, and Gilbert who both lost 4–10, to Tony Knowles and Terry Griffiths respectively.Downer 2019 30–31,159,201 Gollan, who had won five matches just to qualify, led Doug Mountjoy 8–7 before losing the last three frames.Downer 2019 30–31,159,201 Robidoux and Stephen Hendry were level at 7–7 in their first round match when the referee announced that Robidoux had committed a foul by making a push shot.Smith 1990a 95 Hendry compiled a break of 58 to win that frame, and added the following two frames to progress 10–7.Everton 1993 146–149 Defending champion Steve Davis lost the first frame to Eddie Charlton but won 10–1.Hale Janice Parrott Makes a Great Escape The Independent 14 April 1990 55 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-pmage/174685039/ Newspapers.com Higgins lost 5–10 to Steve James in the first round.World Championship 1990 http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-snooker-tournaments-archive-world-championship-1990.asp Global Snooker 14 June 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110310182432/http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-snooker-tournaments-archive-world-championship-1990.asp 10 March 2011 usurped In the eleventh frame, James was awarded a free ball in a frame before any reds had been potted. In taking a baulk colour as an extra red ball and compiling a total clearance of 135; the break became the first 16-red clearance in a professional tournament.Hale Janice Higgins: Now I Am Finished The Observer 15 April 1990 25 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-observer-higgniaf/174684662/ Newspapers.com After losing the match, Higgins remained in his seat in the arena for some time, ordering several vodka and orange drinks, slouched in his chair and twitching.Cooper 2023 21 Afterwards, he punched tournament official Colin Randle in the abdomen before the start of a press conference at which he announced his retirement, and criticised the WPBSA and the press.Threat of limfetime ban after Higgins uproar The Daily Telegraph 16 April 1990 35 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-uproar/191420356/ Newspapers.comHow the Hurrican finally blew out The Daily Telegraph 16 April 1990 35 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-blewout/191420282/ Newspapers.com This followed another incident at the 1990 World Cup, where he repeatedly argued with fellow player and compatriot Dennis Taylor, insulting his late mother and threatening to have him shot if he returned to Northern Ireland.Hennessey 2000 167 For his conduct, Higgins was banned for the rest of the season and all of the next. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article1747937.ece Top five controversial incidents The Times 4 May 2007 7 August 2009 London Phil Yates 9 August 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110809223619/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article1747937.ece deadhttp://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article1747937.ece Top Five Controversial Incidents The Times 22 June 2007 4 May 2007 London Phil Yates https://web.archive.org/web/20110809223619/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article1747937.ece 9 August 2011 dead Higgins Apology Letter to Be Sold at Auction 15 November 2010 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11750412 BBC News 7 March 2012 10 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110310072727/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11750412 live Although he made a 102 break in the 5th frame, Tony Drago trailed Willie Thorne 3–6 after their first session.Hale Janice Thorne Tames Reckless Potter The Independent 15 April 1990 21 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-ttrp/174685690/ Newspapers.com 17 June 2025 17 June 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250617121317/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-ttrp/174685690/ live Drago, who playing rashly according to journalist Janice Hale, lost the match 4–10. Dennis Taylor was 1–5 behind Neal Foulds but recovered to 4–5. Foulds had a four-frame lead at 9–5 and eventually won 10–8. John Virgo defeated Wilkinson 10–6 for only his second win in eight appearances at the Crucible.Smith Terry Robidoux Keeps His Promise The Daily Telegraph 18 April 1990 38 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-robkeep/174891890/ Newspapers.com Jimmy White led Fowler 6–3 after their first session and went on to win 10–4.Downer 2019 30–31 Tony Meo beat Wayne Jones 10–8.Downer 2019 30–31 Morgan caught chicken pox the week before the championship and was treated in hospital for three days before receiving a certification that he was not infectious, which enabled him to participate.Smith Terry Hallett's Humble Pie After Narrow Victory The Daily Telegraph 17 April 1990 33 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-humble/174891616/ Newspapers.com From 4–5 down against 1986 champion Joe Johnson he went on to win 10–8. Although Mike Hallett defeated Steve Newbury 10–9, his own manager Ian Doyle criticised Hallett, saying that his professional attitude ha[d] been poor since winning the 1989 Hong Kong Open. Hallett accepted Doyle's comments and remarked that he "needed a kick up the backside." Cliff Wilson made his 8th and final crucible appearance at the age of 55.Downer 2019 140,148 He never got past the world championship first round in his career and that run was not to change as he was eliminated 6–10 by Cliff Thorburn.Downer 2019 140,148 Dean Reynolds led Peter Francisco 6–3 after their first session. During the second session, Francisco fluked a re-spotted black in the 12th frame.Steven Charles Parrott Makes a Great Escape The Independent 15 April 1990 22 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-reynolds/174685170/ Newspapers.com Parrott trailed Bennett 7–9, but took the next two to force a deciding frame that he won on the pink ball after a break of 69 after being 59 points behind.Everton 1993 146–149 Second round thumb|alt=Terry Griffiths playing snooker|Terry Griffiths (pictured in 1991) reached the quarter-finals for the seventh consecutive year. The second round, which took place between 18 and 22 April, was played as best-of-25-frames matches spread over three sessions.Downer 2019 30 Davis led James 5–3 after their first session, and added the first five frames of the second session.Hale Janice Patient Davis Cruises Through The Independent 20 April 1990 32 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-pdct/175317176/ Newspapers.com The second session finished with Davis 11–5 up, and he went on to win 13–7. Foulds and Thorne each won four frames in the first session of their match, with Foulds taking the eighth frame on a re-spotted black. Foulds won five consecutive frames from 8–11 and eliminated Thorne.Everton Clive Bristling Parrott Survices The Giardian 21 April 1990 32 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian-bps/175317336/ Newspapers.com Griffiths led Knowles 10–3 and 11–5,Hale Janice Another Cliffhanger The Observer 22 April 1990 26 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-observer-anotherc/174684369/ Newspapers.com and won 13–6. Virgo won the first three frames against White, but the pair were at 4–4 when the first session finished. White took all eight frames in the second session and progressed with the score at 13–6. Hendry established a 4–1 lead against Meo, but then lost two of the next three frames. During the second session, Hendry compiled three century breaks, and finished it 11–5 ahead.Acteson Steve The Times Referee's Doubtful Call Again Mars Hendry's Triumph 28 April 1990 48 During the 16th frame, referee John Williams judged that Meo had made a foul push shot; after this, Hendry made a break of 106. He eventually won the match 13–7. Morgan and Hallett were level at 4–4 after their first session. Morgan compiled a 104 break to win the first frame of the next session, and went on to establish an 8–4 lead, before finishing the session 10–6 ahead and winning the match 13–8.Everton Clive Mum's the Word as Morgan Defies Adversity The Guardian 23 April 1990 15 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian-mtw/174904193/ Newspapers.com 20 June 2025 20 June 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250620162945/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian-mtw/174904193/ live Thorburn won the deciding frame against Mountjoy at nearly 1:00a.m., in a match that took 12 hours and 37 minutes. In another lengthy match, where the players had to suspend play as they over-ran the session time and had to return for the last two frames after another match finished, Parrott defeated Reynolds 13–11.Smith Terry Parrot in Row After Marathon The Daily Telegraph 21 April 1990 41 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-parrow/174905219/ Newspapers.com 20 June 2025 20 June 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250620162945/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-telegraph-parrow/174905219/ live Parrot won the 24th frame by fluking the pink ball. The pair had been level at 5–5, 7–7, and 9–9. Quarter-finals The quarter-finals were played as best-of-25-frames matches over three sessions on 23 and 24 April.Downer 2019 30 None of the matches produced a close finish.Everton 1993 149 Davis led Foulds 6–2 after their first session.Everton 1993 149 Foulds won six of the first seven frames in the second session; the only one he lost was after referee Len Ganley called a foul for Foulds striking the cueball twice on a shot. Leading 8–7 going into the final session, Foulds saw Davis win five successive frames to progress 13–8.Everton 1993 149 Griffiths, who was under treatment for a trapped nerve in his shoulder, was a frame behind White at 4–5 but then lost eight of the next nine frames and was eliminated.Everton 1993 149 White commented that "Every time he made a mistake, I punished him heavily."17 Hendry was level with Morgan at 4–4 but then pulled away and won 13–6.Everton 1993 149 After the match, Hendry commented "I think I'm getting stronger and playing well when it matters".17 Parrott compiled the highest break of the tournament, 140, while building an 8–4 lead against Thorburn, and went on to win 13–6.Everton 1993 149Hale Janice Davis Advances After Rapid Riposte The Independent 25 April 1990 32 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-daarr/175317567/ Newspapers.com 26 June 2025 26 June 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250626111818/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-daarr/175317567/ live Semi-finals The semi-finals took place between 25 and 27 April as best-of-31-frames matches played over four sessions.Downer 2019 30 For the first time since 1982, Davis failed to reach the final,Turner Chris World Professional Championship http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/world.html https://web.archive.org/web/20130416080933/http://www.cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/world.html 16 April 2013 cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk Chris Turner's Snooker Archive 24 February 2011 losing 14–16 to White in the semi-final. It was the first time White had defeated Davis at the Crucible after Davis had eliminated White in four previous encounters. From 6–8 at the close of the second session, White won seven of the eight frames in the third session to lead 13–9. After winning the 27th frame on the black ball after needing a snooker, Davis moved to within one frame of White at 13–14, and led by 40 points in the 28th frame before White won that to go two frames clear with three to play, conceding one further frame before clinching victory.Everton 1993 146–149 In beating Parrott, Hendry ensured that he would replace Davis as snooker's world number 1 in the rankings.Smith 1990a 93 Davis had held first place since 1983.Smith 1990a 93 Parrott had led 4–0, and was 5–3 ahead at the end of their first session. Hendry won the next six frames to lead 9–5, followed by Parrott winning six consecutive frames, leaving Hendry 9–11 behind. Hendry won the last two frames of the third session to equalise at 11–11 and added the first five frames of the fourth session to complete a 16–11 victory.Everton 1993 146–149 Final alt=Stephen Hendry playing snooker|thumb|Stephen Hendry (pictured in 2011) became the youngest-ever World Snooker Champion. The final between Stephen Hendry and Jimmy White took place on 28 and 29 April.Downer 2019 30 The first seven frames of the final saw a total of seven breaks over 40, and saw Hendry leading 4–3.Lyndon Neil Hendry Has Edge in New Era Battle The Independent 29 April 1990 22 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent-hendedge/176263770/ Newspapers.com After White had won the first frame, Hendry equalised with a break of 72, but a miss and foul by Hendry in the third frame gave White the chance to regain the lead. Hendry took the next three frames for 4–2, then White claimed frame seven with a break of 82. Hendry led 9–7 after the first day, having compiled a 108 break in the 16th frame.Hendry's Opening Shots Hugh McIlvanney Hugh McIlvanney The Observer 29 April 1990 S6 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-observer-openingshots/174226421/ Newspapers.com On the second day, Hendry won the first four frames, making a break of 104 in the second, with White failing to pot a ball in three of them. He later wrote that at the start of the day, he perceived that White showed "that he's desperate to win, yet secretly knows he will struggle. It's almost imperceptible — a tiny inwards movement around the eyes, a fleeting nip of teeth on lip — but it's there."Hendry 2019 115 White reflected that "Every time I got near him, he eased into a higher gear."White 2015 146 From 7–13, White took the 21st frame with a break of 82, and added the following frame to reduce his deficit to 9–13. In the 23rd frame, White led by 63 points before Hendry produced a clearance of 72 to win on the black ball. The session finished with Hendry 14–10 ahead after White won the session's last frame with breaks of 51 and 45. The first three frames of the fourth session were completed in 27 minutes and included a 108 clearance by Hendry. White took the following frame, before breaks of 81 and 71 secured a first world championship title for Hendry.Everton Clive Hendry Charges to a Place in History The Guardian 30 April 1990 14 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian-charges/174227941/ Newspapers.comApril 29 Down the Years: The Greatest Crucible Final http://www.espn.co.uk/onthisday/sport/story/135.html ESPN 23 May 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131201013949/http://www.espn.co.uk/onthisday/sport/story/135.html 1 December 2013 He became the youngest-ever world champion at the age of 21 years and 106 days,https://wst.tv/hendry-reflects-on-1990-victory/ Hendry Reflects on 1990 Victory 7 May 2020 World Snooker Tour 19 May 2020 14 August 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200814071641/https://wst.tv/hendry-reflects-on-1990-victory/ dead overtaking Alex Higgins, who had won the 1972 World Snooker Championship a few days before his 23rd birthday. The final was described by the snooker journalist Terry Smith as "a two-day high-speed potting battle that left the sell-out crowd virtually breathless."Smith 1990a 93 Hendry commented after his win that "I was determined to win and confident that I could do it. I was glad I was able to keep my concentration and cope with the pressure. All through the match I was nervous. My stomach was churning tonight." White said that he was disappointed with the standard of his own safety play during the match, but said that he had enjoyed the match, and added "In a way I'm pleased for Stephen. He's a great kid and he puts in enough work to be world champion. He played tremendous snooker. You could count his misses on one hand."Everton Clive Snooker Scene June 1990 Embassy World Snooker: The Fight for the Championship 7–1919 The final attracted 7.55million viewers on BBC2.Television Top 10 The Times 8 May 1990 22 Hendry went on to win six more world titles, including further victories over White in the 1992, 1993 and 1994 finals.Williams Gadsby 2005 142–157 Main draw Shown below are the results for each round. The numbers in parentheses beside some of the players are their seeding ranks; there were 16 seeds and 16 qualifiers.Embassy World Championship http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=36 https://web.archive.org/web/20130124071753/http://www.snookerscene.co.uk/page.php?id=36 24 January 2013 Snooker Scene 17 June 2012Downer 2019 30–31 numbered 175 First roundBest of 19 frames Second roundBest of 25 frames Quarter-finalsBest of 25 frames Semi-finalsBest of 31 frames FinalBest of 35 frames 13 April Steve Davis ENG (1) 10 Eddie Charlton AUS 1 13 & 14 April Steve James ENG (16) 10 Alex Higgins NIR 5 14 & 15 April Willie Thorne ENG (9) 10 Tony Drago MLT 4 15 & 15 April Dennis Taylor NIR (8) 8 Neal Foulds ENG 10 15 & 16 April Terry Griffiths WAL (5) 10 Nigel Gilbert ENG 4 16 & 17 April Tony Knowles ENG (12) 10 Tony Chappel WAL 4 16 & 17 April John Virgo ENG (13) 10 Gary Wilkinson ENG 6 17 & 18 April Jimmy White ENG (4) 10 Danny Fowler ENG 4 17 & 18 April Stephen Hendry SCO (3) 10 Alain Robidoux CAN 7 17 April Tony Meo ENG (14) 10 Wayne Jones WAL 8 16 April Joe Johnson ENG (11) 8 Darren Morgan WAL 10 15 & 16 April Mike Hallett ENG (6) 10 Steve Newbury WAL 9 14 & 15 April Cliff Thorburn CAN (7) 10 Cliff Wilson WAL 6 14 & 15 April Doug Mountjoy WAL (10) 10 Brady Gollan CAN 8 13 & 14 April Dean Reynolds ENG (15) 10 Peter Francisco RSA 1982 7 13 April John Parrott ENG (2) 10 Mark Bennett WAL 9 18 & 19 April Steve Davis ENG (1) 13 Steve James ENG (16) 7 19 & 20 April Willie Thorne ENG (9) 11 Neal Foulds ENG 13 20, 21 & 22 April Terry Griffiths WAL (5) 13 Tony Knowles ENG (12) 6 21 & 22 April John Virgo ENG (13) 6 Jimmy White ENG (4) 13 21 & 22 April Stephen Hendry SCO (3) 13 Tony Meo ENG (14) 7 20, 21 & 22 April Darren Morgan WAL 13 Mike Hallett ENG (6) 8 19 & 20 April Cliff Thorburn CAN (7) 13 Doug Mountjoy WAL (10) 12 18, 19 & 20 April Dean Reynolds ENG (15) 11 John Parrott ENG (2) 13 23 & 24 April Steve Davis ENG (1) 13 Neal Foulds ENG 8 23 & 24 April Terry Griffiths WAL (5) 5 Jimmy White ENG (4) 13 23 & 24 April Stephen Hendry SCO (3) 13 Darren Morgan WAL 6 23 & 24 April Cliff Thorburn CAN (7) 6 John Parrott ENG (2) 13 25, 26 & 27 April Steve Davis ENG (1) 14 Jimmy White ENG (4) 16 25, 26 & 27 April Stephen Hendry SCO (3) 16 John Parrott ENG (2) 11 28 and 29 April Jimmy White ENG (4) 12 Stephen Hendry SCO (3) 18 Downer 2019 31,159 (Best of 35 frames) Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, 28 and 29 April 1990. Referee: Len Ganley Jimmy White ENG 12–18 Stephen Hendry SCO White Hendry 78frame winner 37 13 73frame winner (72) 85frame winner 48 49 71frame winner 14 79frame winner 27 60frame winner 86frame winner (82) 0 N/A N/A 27 87frame winner 75frame winner (67) 64 68frame winner 57 46 77frame winner 4 99frame winner (66) 63frame winner (62) 52 0 88frame winner (53) 76frame winner 1 0 108frame winner (108) 0 100frame winner (66) 5 104frame winner (104) 4 73frame winner (58) 0 81frame winner (81) 87frame winner (82) 50 75frame winner 17 63 72frame winner (72) 109frame winner (51) 0 6 97frame winner (57) 127frame winner (87) 0 0 124frame winner (108) 69frame winner (51) 43 27 90frame winner (81) 1 101frame winner (71) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 3–4 7–9 10–14 12–18 87 108 0 2 7 13 Qualifying Players in bold denote match winners.Downer 2019 201 First qualifying roundBest of 19 framesPlayerScorePlayerDuncan Campbell SCO 10–3 David Greaves ENGJames Wattana THA 10–4 Joe Grech MLTAndrew Cairns ENG 10–4 Bernard Bennett ENGBarry Pinches ENG 10–0 Maurice Parkin ENGJackie Rea NIR 10–4 Pascal Burke IRLGino Rigitano CAN w.o. –Withdrawn w.d. Eddie McLaughlin SCOGreg Jenkins AUS 10–5 Geoff Foulds ENGPaul Watchorn IRL 10–4 Billy Kelly IRLNigel Bond ENG 10–1 Bill Werbeniuk CANDerek Mienie RSA 1982 10–1 Jim Meadowcroft ENGBrady Gollan CAN 10–2 Clive Everton WALBrian Morgan ENG 10–1 Derek Heaton ENGStephen Murphy IRL 10–7 Bernie Mikkelsen CANIan Brumby ENG 10–6 Bert Demarco SCONick Dyson ENG 10–5 Ian Black SCO 4 16 4 4 175 Second qualifying roundBest of 19 frames Third qualifying roundBest of 19 frames Fourth qualifying roundBest of 19 frames Fifth qualifying roundBest of 19 frames Mick Price ENG 10 Terry Whitthread ENG 6 Jon Wright ENG 6 Duncan Campbell SCO 10 Ken Owers ENG 10 Mike Darrington ENG 1 John Dunning ENG 2 James Wattana THA 10 Eddie Sinclair SCO 10 Mark Wildman ENG 5 Mark Rowing ENG 10 Robby Foldvari AUS 9 Les Dodd ENG 10 Mike Watterson ENG 3 Steve Campbell ENG 10 Glen Wilkinson AUS 2 George Scott ENG 3 Andrew Cairns ENG 10 Tony Kearney IRL 10 Paul Medati ENG 7 Bill Oliver ENG 8 Barry Pinches ENG 10 Mario Morra CAN w.o. Jimmy van Rensberg RSA 1982 Withdrawn w.d. Marcel Gauvreau CAN 10 Jackie Rea NIR 9 Robert Marshall ENG 10 Paul Thornley CAN 0 Jim Donnelly SCO 6 Gino Rigitano CAN 10 Robbie Grace RSA 1982 10 Anthony Harris ENG 8 Craig Edwards ENG 10 Dessie Sheehan IRL 8 Bob Harris ENG 10 Greg Jenkins AUS 4 Jim Bear CAN 10 Jack Fitzmaurice ENG 5 Graham Miles ENG 10 Dennis Hughes ENG 5 John Rea SCO 10 Jason Smith ENG 4 Martin Smith ENG 10 Francois Ellis RSA 1982 6 Vic Harris ENG 6 Paul Watchorn IRL 10 Brian Rowswell ENG 1 Nigel Bond ENG 10 Pat Houlihan ENG 10 Derek Mienie RSA 1982 5 Tony Wilson IOM 10 Steve Meakin ENG 5 Paul Gibson ENG 5 Brady Gollan CAN 10 Ian Williamson ENG 4 Brian Morgan ENG 10 Nick Terry ENG 10 Stephen Murphy IRL 4 Fred Davis ENG 6 Ian Brumby ENG 10 Eric Lawlor ENG 10 Matt Gibson SCO 6 Malcolm Bradley ENG 6 Nick Dyson ENG 10 Steve Duggan ENG 9 Mick Price ENG 10 John Campbell AUS 10 Duncan Campbell SCO 5 John Spencer ENG 10 Ken Owers ENG 8 David Taylor ENG 5 James Wattana THA 10 Ian Graham ENG 10 Eddie Sinclair SCO 3 Jim Wych CAN Withdrawn w.d. Mark Rowing ENG w.o. Warren King AUS 8 Les Dodd ENG 10 Steve Longworth ENG 6 Steve Campbell ENG 10 Ray Reardon WAL 8 Andrew Cairns ENG 10 Nigel Gilbert ENG 10 Tony Kearney IRL 6 Colin Roscoe WAL 6 Barry Pinches ENG 10 Tony Chappel WAL 10 Mario Morra CAN 8 Gary Wilkinson ENG 10 Marcel Gauvreau CAN 5 Dave Martin ENG 6 Robert Marshall ENG 10 Danny Fowler ENG 10 Gino Rigitano CAN 6 Dave Gilbert ENG 10 Robbie Grace RSA 1982 9 Alain Robidoux CAN 10 Craig Edwards ENG 3 Ray Edmonds ENG 10 Bob Harris ENG 4 Jim Chambers ENG 10 Jim Bear CAN 3 Roger Bales ENG 7 Graham Miles ENG 10 Tommy Murphy NIR 7 John Rea SCO 10 Darren Morgan WAL 10 Martin Smith ENG 6 Mick Fisher ENG 7 Paul Watchorn IRL 10 Tony Jones ENG 2 Nigel Bond ENG 10 Jack McLaughlin NIR 5 Pat Houlihan ENG 10 Graham Cripsey ENG 6 Tony Wilson IOM 10 Kirk Stevens CAN 6 Brady Gollan CAN 10 Joe O'Boye ENG 2 Brian Morgan ENG 10 Mark Johnston-Allen ENG 10 Nick Terry ENG 1 Paddy Browne IRL 10 Ian Brumby ENG 6 Mark Bennett WAL 10 Eric Lawlor ENG 3 Murdo MacLeod SCO 10 Nick Dyson ENG 9 Mick Price ENG 10 John Campbell AUS 5 John Spencer ENG 8 James Wattana THA 10 Ian Graham ENG 10 Mark Rowing ENG 8 Les Dodd ENG 7 Steve Campbell ENG 10 Andrew Cairns ENG 6 Nigel Gilbert ENG 10 Barry Pinches ENG 3 Tony Chappel WAL 10 Gary Wilkinson ENG 10 Robert Marshall ENG 7 Danny Fowler ENG 10 Dave Gilbert ENG 3 Alain Robidoux CAN 10 Ray Edmonds ENG 6 Jim Chambers ENG 10 Graham Miles ENG 5 John Rea SCO 7 Darren Morgan WAL 10 Paul Watchorn IRL 2 Nigel Bond ENG 10 Pat Houlihan ENG 6 Tony Wilson IOM 10 Brady Gollan CAN 10 Brian Morgan ENG 6 Mark Johnston-Allen ENG 10 Paddy Browne IRL 2 Mark Bennett WAL 10 Murdo MacLeod SCO 1 Eddie Charlton AUS 10 Mick Price ENG 5 Alex Higgins NIR 10 James Wattana THA 6 Tony Drago MLT 10 Ian Graham ENG 7 Neal Foulds ENG 10 Steve Campbell ENG 7 David Roe ENG 6 Nigel Gilbert ENG 10 Martin Clark ENG 9 Tony Chappel WAL 10 Silvino Francisco RSA 1982 7 Gary Wilkinson ENG 10 Barry West ENG 9 Danny Fowler ENG 10 Dene O'Kane NZL 2 Alain Robidoux CAN 10 Wayne Jones WAL 10 Jim Chambers ENG 6 Bob Chaperon CAN 9 Darren Morgan WAL 10 Steve Newbury ENG 10 Nigel Bond ENG 6 Cliff Wilson WAL 10 Tony Wilson IOM 6 Eugene Hughes IRL 7 Brady Gollan CAN 10 Peter Francisco RSA 1982 10 Mark Johnston-Allen ENG 7 Rex Williams ENG 9 Mark Bennett WAL 10 Century breaks There were 18 century breaks in the championship. The highest break was 140 made by John Parrott.Downer 2019 163Crucible Centuries http://www.snooker.org/Plr/wc_centuries.shtml Snooker.org 7 March 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110523045039/http://www.snooker.org/plr/wc_centuries.shtml 23 May 2011 140 John Parrott 135 Steve James 131, 100 Terry Griffiths 128 Cliff Thorburn 118, 117, 112 Steve Davis 117, 108, 108, 106, 104, 103 Stephen Hendry 109 Willie Thorne 105 Jimmy White 104 Darren Morgan 102 Tony Drago Qualifying stages There were 22 century breaks in the qualifying stages; the highest, 135, was made by Nigel Gilbert in his fifth round defeat of David Roe.Embassy World Championship Qualifying Snooker Scene March 1990 20–27Higgins Beats Wattana to Reach Crucible Snooker Scene May 1990 10–11 135, 131 Nigel Gilbert 133 Neal Foulds 131, 105 Mick Price 126, 109, 101 Mark Johnston-Allen 123 Danny Fowler 120 Ray Reardon 117 Tony Chappel 113 Brian Morgan 111 Ken Owers 110, 110, 106, 101 Alain Robidoux 110 Robert Marshall 107 Tony Kearney 105 Nigel Bond 104 Steve Duggan 100 Tommy Murphy Notes References 30em Books Cooper Brendan Deep Pockets: Snooker and the Meaning of Life Constable London 978-1-4087-1777-6 2023 Downer Chris Crucible Almanac Bournemouth 2019 Self-published Everton Clive Clive Everton 1993 The Embassy Book of World Snooker Bloomsbury London 978-0-7475-1610-1 Hendry Stephen Stephen Hendry Me and the Table 2018 2019 Second John Blake London 978-1-78946-077-3 Hennessey John Eye of the Hurricane: The Alex Higgins Story Mainstream Edinburgh 2000 978-1-840-18385-6 John Nauright Sarah Zipp Routledge Handbook of Global Sport Luke J. Harris 21. Snooker and billiards https://books.google.com/books?id=htTHDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT277 3 January 2020 Taylor & Francis Abingdon 978-1-138-88723-7 227–237 3 September 2020 5 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200905220525/https://books.google.com/books?id=htTHDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT277 live Smith Terry 1990 Benson and Hedges Snooker Year Seventh Aylesbury Pelham Books 978-0-7207-1955-0 Smith 1990a White Jimmy Jimmy White Second Wind Sport Media Liverpool 2015 2014 978-1-910335-12-3 Williams Luke Gadsby Paul 2005 Masters of the Baize Edinburgh Mainstream 1840188723 Victoria R. Williams Weird Sports and Wacky Games around the World: From Buzkashi to Zorbing https://books.google.com/books?id=lpDdBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA286 2015 ABC-CLIO Santa Barbara 978-1-61069-639-5 286 3 September 2020 5 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200905220523/https://books.google.com/books?id=lpDdBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA286 live Category:World Snooker Championships Category:1990s in Sheffield World Championship World Snooker Championship Category:Sports competitions in Sheffield World Snooker Championship