1964–68 World Snooker Championships

Professional snooker world championship tournaments September 2020 World Snooker Championship (1964–68) United Kingdom / South Africa 1964 Billiards Association and Control Council Challenge 1968 John Pulman 1957 1969 Since 1927 the World Snooker Championship had been played as a single-elimination tournament, but between 1964 and 1968, it was defended over seven challenge matches. Following a hiatus after the 1957 World Professional Match-play Championship, the event was revived by Rex Williams on a challenge basis, with the champion being opposed by prominent players. This began in 1964, organised by the Billiards Association and Control Council. The 1957 champion John Pulman contested and won all seven challenge matches against various opponents in the next five years, until the tournament reverted to a knock-out format in 1969. Each match was played over differing lengths and locations, with some being played over a series of matches rather than frames. Three of the matches were played at the Burroughes Hall in London, England; two across South Africa; one in St George's Hall, Liverpool, and the final match in Bolton. The highest break made over the series was a 142 made by Williams in the 25–22 match loss to Pulman. Background The World Snooker Championship is a professional tournament and the official world championship of the game of snooker.World Snooker Championship to stay in UK Matchroom Sport 19 January 2015 4 October 2019 http://www.matchroomsport.com/news/world-snooker-championship-stay-uk/ https://web.archive.org/web/20190416164401/http://www.matchroomsport.com/news/world-snooker-championship-stay-uk/ 16 April 2019 live The sport's origin dates to the late 19th century and British Army soldiers stationed in India.https://www.snookerheritage.co.uk/normans-articles/days-of-old/origins-of-snooker/ Origins of Snooker Peter Clare 2008 Billiard and Snooker Heritage Collection 8 February 2017 live https://web.archive.org/web/20170103150005/http://snookerheritage.co.uk/normans-articles/days-of-old/origins-of-snooker/ 3 January 2017 Snooker gained in popularity in across the British Isles.The Rise Of China worldsnooker.com 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 live The championship had traditionally been played as a single-elimination tournament annually since 1927 with a hiatus during World War II between 1940 and 1946.The Times London 3 November 1945 2 Big entry for snooker championship Known as the World Professional Match-play Championship in 1957 the event failed to generate interest from the top professional players, with defending champion Fred Davis failing to enter.Fred Davis Talking Snooker 18 October 1979 978-0713619911 A & C Black Publishers Ltd The event was won by John Pulman, but with waning interest and the highest ranked players not playing the event was not held after 1957.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r2pAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1117%2C5490627 Snooker The Glasgow Herald 11 15 April 1957 19 September 2020 29 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160429090511/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r2pAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=q5sMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1117,5490627 live English player Rex Williams ran a four player tournament in Blackheath in 1964, the first commercially sponsored professional snooker event since 1960.Morrison Ian 1989 Snooker: records, facts and champions Guinness Superlatives Ltd 08511236438Everton Clive Williams ready for snooker clash Birmingham Daily Post 22 September 1964 15 This and taking Billiards Association and Control Council (BA&CC) chairman Harold Phillips out to lunch led to the BA&CC allowing Williams to run a revival of the World Snooker Championship.8Hale Janice 1991 Rothmans Snooker Yearbook 1991–92 Aylesbury Queen Anne Press 0356197476294–295Turner Chris World Professional Championship Chris Turner's Snooker Archive 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 2 May 2011 The championship would be defended on a challenge basis, with defending champion Pulman facing a prominent snooker professional. The winner of the match would then become the new champion. The agreement between the BA&CC and the players in 1964 stated that there should be a minimum side stake of £50 involved, that matches could be of any duration agreed by both participants and that the challenger would be responsible for finding a suitable venue. Professional Snooker Billiards and Snooker 13 The Billiards Association and Control Council London January 1964 Summary 1964 The World Snooker Championship was revived in 1964 with a match between 40-year-old John Pulman and 50-year-old Fred Davis. It was a best-of-37 frames match, played over three days from 20 to 22 April at Burroughes Hall in London, England.The Times London 23 April 1964 4 Professional snooker title for Pulman Davis had won the official championship three times and the World Professional Match-play Championship five times. He had not taken part in the last championship in 1957, which Pulman had won. Pulman took an early 4–2 lead, but Davis was ahead 7–5 at the end of the first dayThe Times London 21 April 1964 3 Snooker revival and maintained his two-frame advantage after the second day, leading 13–11.The Times London 22 April 1964 4 Snooker Davis made a break of 108 on the afternoon of the final day, but Pulman won four of the six frames in the session to level the match at 15–15. He then won the first three frames of the evening session to lead 18–15 and, although Davis won the next frame, Pulman took the fifth to win the title 19–16. Six months after winning the first challenge match, John Pulman was challenged by organiser Rex Williams in another match held at Burroughes Hall. This consisted of a best-of-73 frames match played over six days, from 12 to 17 October 1964. Williams led 8–4 at the end of the first day,The Glasgow Herald https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=K21AAAAAIBAJ&pg=4497%2C1975697 13 October 1964 5 Snooker 1 January 2016 10 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160210001716/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=K21AAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oaMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4497%2C1975697 live but Pulman won 11 of the 12 frames on the second day to go ahead 15–9,The Glasgow Herald https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LG1AAAAAIBAJ&pg=2979%2C2177634 14 October 1964 5 Snooker 1 January 2016 10 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160210001716/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LG1AAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oaMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2979%2C2177634 live extending his lead to 31–17 after four days.The Glasgow Herald https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Lm1AAAAAIBAJ&pg=1421%2C2571892 16 October 1964 6 Snooker 1 January 2016 10 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160210001716/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Lm1AAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oaMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1421%2C2571892 live Pulman won the match on the fifth day with a 37–23 winning lead, making a break of 109 in frame 57.The Glasgow Herald https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L21AAAAAIBAJ&pg=6487%2C2771180 17 October 1964 6 Snooker 1 January 2016 10 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160210001716/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L21AAAAAIBAJ&sjid=oaMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6487%2C2771180 live The remaining 13 dead frames were played on the final day with Pulman finishing 40–33 ahead.The Times London 19 October 1964 5 Snooker March 1965 Fred Davis challenged John Pulman for the world title in March 1965. The match was again 73 frames long, played over six days from 15 to 21 March at Burroughes Hall in London. The two players were closely matched throughout. Davis led 7–5 after the first day,The Glasgow Herald https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HmNAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5995%2C2633401 16 March 1965 6 Snooker 1 January 2016 12 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160312093523/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HmNAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=maMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5995%2C2633401 live but Pulman had taken the lead 13–11 by the end of the second dayThe Glasgow Herald https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=H2NAAAAAIBAJ&pg=4349%2C2831921 17 March 1965 6 Snooker 1 January 2016 12 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160312093436/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=H2NAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=maMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4349%2C2831921 live and pulled further ahead on the third, before Davis recovered to level the match at 18–18.The Glasgow Herald https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IGNAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3743%2C3052212 18 March 1965 8 Snooker 1 January 2016 12 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160312093316/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IGNAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=maMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3743%2C3052212 live Pulman made a break of 100 on the fourth day; they won six frames apiece to level the score once again at 24–24.The Glasgow Herald https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IWNAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2898%2C3271078 19 March 1965 8 Snooker 1 January 2016 12 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160312093332/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IWNAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=maMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2898%2C3271078 live The pair were still tied after the fifth day at 30–30, with Davis making a break of 105.The Glasgow Herald https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ImNAAAAAIBAJ&pg=4351%2C3504312 20 March 1965 6 Snooker 1 January 2016 12 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160312093327/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ImNAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=maMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4351%2C3504312 live Pulman eventually won the match 37–36.The Glasgow Herald https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=I2NAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3522%2C3724537 22 March 1965 10 Snooker 1 January 2016 8 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160208133008/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=I2NAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=maMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3522%2C3724537 live South Africa matches In September 1965, John Pulman and Rex Williams left England to play a series of 51 seven-frame matches in South Africa for the World Championship.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fWxAAAAAIBAJ&pg=3580%2C3683670 Snooker The Glasgow Herald 22 September 1965 6 27 March 2020 19 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200919185845/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fWxAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iKMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3580%2C3683670 live The number of matches was later reduced to 49 and in December Pulman took a winning lead of 25–20 to retain the title. Eventually only 47 matches were played, with Pulman winning the series 25–22.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LVxAAAAAIBAJ&pg=1352%2C2505902 Snooker The Glasgow Herald 16 December 1965 6 24 March 2020 19 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200919185903/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LVxAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fqMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1352%2C2505902 live In the 24th match of the series, played in November in the South African city of East London, Williams compiled a break of 142, breaking the official tournament record of 136 set by Joe Davis in 1946.The Times London 17 November 1965 4 World Snooker Record Although equalled by Bill Werbeniuk in 1979, this remained the highest break at the World Championship until Doug Mountjoy compiled a 145 in the 1981 tournament.Everton Clive Guinness Book of Snooker 1981 Guinness Superlatives Enfield 978-0-85112-230-4 65 After winning this series of matches, Pulman played South African Fred Van Rensburg in December 1965, winning the match 39–12. The winner of the June 1965 South African Professional Championship was supposed to be given the opportunity to challenge for the world title, with that match being sponsored by brandy company Richelieu et Cie. Although Perrie Mans defeated Van Rensburg 13–11 in the final, it was Van Rensberg who was given the opportunity. This decision was unpopular and contributed to a lack of coverage in the South African press of the match. Little is known about the match, except that Pulman led 9–1, 15–5 and 24–6 on his way to victory.Kobylecky John 2019 The Complete International Directory of Snooker Players – 1927 to 2018 Kobyhadrian Books 199 978-0993143311 In January 1966, Pulman and Williams played a five-day 35-frame match against Van Rensburg and amateur Manuel Francisco, taking a winning 18–7 lead on the fourth day; the match ending 24–11.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=omtAAAAAIBAJ&pg=4350%2C233286 Snooker The Glasgow Herald 4 January 1966 8 27 March 2020 19 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200919185845/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=omtAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=e6MMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4350%2C233286 livehttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pWtAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5005%2C743850 Snooker The Glasgow Herald 7 January 1966 6 27 March 2020 19 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200919185846/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pWtAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=e6MMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5005%2C743850 livehttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pmtAAAAAIBAJ&pg=6437%2C908308 Snooker The Glasgow Herald 8 January 1966 4 27 March 2020 19 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200919185846/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pmtAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=e6MMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6437%2C908308 live April 1966 matches Davis met John Pulman for a third challenge in April 1966, in a series of matches promoted by the Lancashire Billiard Traders' Association. Pulman retains world's snooker championship Liverpool Echo 23 April 1966 7 There were seven best-of-five frame matches with the player who won four matches winning the championship. The matches were all played in the concert room of St George's Hall, Liverpool from 18 to 23 April. Pulman retains world's snooker championship Liverpool Echo 23 April 1966 7 Pulman won the first three matches, 3–2, 4–1 and 4–1, with Davis winning the fourth and fifth matches 3–2. On 22 April Pulman achieved victory by winning the sixth match, 4–2.The Times London 23 April 1966 4 Pulman champion He won the last match the following day to finish with five wins to Davis's two.The Glasgow Herald https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CYBAAAAAIBAJ&pg=5147%2C4242164 25 April 1966 4 Snooker 1 January 2016 12 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160312093451/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CYBAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0aMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5147%2C4242164 live March 1968 Australian player Eddie Charlton challenged John Pulman in Bolton for a 73-frame match played from 4 to 9 March 1968.The Sun-Herald https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uv1jAAAAIBAJ&pg=1136%2C8541254 28 March 1976 64 Eddie lost game, but revived snooker 23 January 2016 8 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160208133008/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uv1jAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g-YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1136%2C8541254 live Pulman won the opening frame with a break of 77, but was 2–4 in arrears at the end of the first session. Charlton then extended the lead to 6–2, before Pulman won four consecutive frames to level at 6–6 by the end of the opening day's play. Pulman still champion Billiards and Snooker Birmingham Billiards Association and Control Council April 1968 Pulman also won the first three frames on the second day, with Charlton taking the following two. The pair each took two of the next four frames as the score went from Pulman 9–8 ahead to 13–11 ahead at the end of the second day.The Sydney Morning Herald https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YvlXAAAAIBAJ&pg=4442%2C2160767 7 March 1968 15 Snooker lead to Pulman 23 January 2016 1 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160301105212/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YvlXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uOcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4442%2C2160767 live In the 21st frame, after Pulman had potted the first red, Charlton potted the 14 remaining reds, with seven blacks, six pinks and a green, and then all the colours except the black, for a break of 122. On the third day, Charlton won five of the six frames in the afternoon session to lead 16–14. In the evening session, Pulman drew level at 16–16. Charlton won the 33rd frame, and looked likely to win the 34th as well after making a break of 52, but Pulman eventually won the frame on the black. Pulman then won the last two frame of the day, with the last frame of the day also being decided on the final black, meaning that Pulman retained a 19–17 lead after the third day.The Sydney Morning Herald https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y_lXAAAAIBAJ&pg=6331%2C2289631 8 March 1968 15 Close match in snooker 23 January 2016 8 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160208133008/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y_lXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uOcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6331%2C2289631 live Pulman won five of six frames in the afternoon session of the fourth day, and four of six in the evening session, with his good safety play often leading to Charlton leaving him good opportunities, and so extended his lead to 28–20 after the fourth day. With the players both winning six frames on the fifth day, it ended with Pulman leading 34–26,The Sun-Herald https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZflXAAAAIBAJ&pg=6296%2C3233584 10 March 1968 70 Aust. Lags 23 January 2016 1 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160301064957/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZflXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uOcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6296%2C3233584 live needing three of the remaining 13 frames. Pulman won three of the first five frames on the final afternoon to win the match 37–28.The Sydney Morning Herald https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZvlXAAAAIBAJ&pg=5826%2C3589905 11 March 1968 12 Snooker win to Pulman 23 January 2016 1 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160301135415/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZvlXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uOcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5826%2C3589905 live The remaining eight dead frames were played, the final score being 39–34. 11 March 1968 Pulman still champion The Guardian London 14 Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-guardian-psc/176770929/ This was the last challenge match, as the event reverted to a traditional tournament for the 1969 World Snooker Championship, and except for a round-robin stage at the 1971 World Snooker Championship, the event has been played as a single-elimination tournament since.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 9 February 2011Hayton Eric Dee John The CueSport Book of Professional Snooker 2004 Rose Villa Publications Lowestoft 978-0-9548549-0-4 144 Pulman had been touring snooker clubs as promotional work for the tobacco brand John Player, and the company had sponsored his match against Charlton. The good attendances for the challenge match led to John Player deciding to sponsor the 1969 World Snooker Championship as a knockout tournament.Everton Clive 2012 Black farce and cue ball wizards Mainstream Edinburgh 978178057568146 Results Date Champion ScoreHall of Fame http://www.snooker.org/trn/hof.asp?pEvent=World&sort=Year snooker.org 1 November 2012 20 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121020093459/http://snooker.org/trn/hof.asp?pEvent=World&sort=Year live Challenger Venue High break2004 Embassy World Championship Information http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/Results/res_03_4/03_4worldinfo.htm Global Snooker Centre 9 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20041208092511/http://www.globalsnookercentre.co.uk/files/Results/res_03_4/03_4worldinfo.htm 8 December 2004 References Ref. Apr 1964 John Pulman ENG 19–16 Fred Davis ENG Burroughes Hall, London 112 (Pulman)World Championship 1964 http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-snooker-tournaments-archive-world-championship-1964.asp global-snooker.com 19 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110310181405/http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-snooker-tournaments-archive-world-championship-1964.asp 10 March 2011 usurped Oct 1964 John Pulman ENG 40–33 Rex Williams ENG Burroughes Hall, London, England 107 (Williams)Mar 1965 John Pulman ENG 37–36 Fred Davis ENG Burroughes Hall, London, England World Championship 1965 http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-snooker-tournaments-archive-world-championship-1965.asp global-snooker.com 19 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110310182246/http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-snooker-tournaments-archive-world-championship-1965.asp 10 March 2011 usurped Sep–Dec 1965 John Pulman ENG 25–22The title was decided over a series of matches rather than frames. matches Rex Williams ENG Various venues, South Africa 142 (Williams) Dec 1965 John Pulman ENG 39–12 Fred Van Rensburg SAF 1928 Various venues, South Africa Apr 1966 John Pulman ENG 5–2matches Fred Davis ENG St George's Hall, Liverpool 85 (Davis)World Championship 1966 http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-snooker-tournaments-archive-world-championship-1966.asp global-snooker.com 19 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110310184451/http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-snooker-tournaments-archive-world-championship-1966.asp 10 March 2011 usurped Mar 1968 John Pulman ENG 39–34 Eddie Charlton AUS Co-operative Hall, Bolton 122 (Charlton)World Championship 1968 http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-snooker-tournaments-archive-world-championship-1968.asp global-snooker.com 19 March 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110310201409/http://www.global-snooker.com/professional-snooker-tournaments-archive-world-championship-1968.asp 10 March 2011 usurped Notes References 1964-68 Category:1964 in snooker Category:1965 in snooker Category:1966 in snooker Category:1968 in snooker Category:1964 in sport in London Category:1965 in sport in London Category:1965 in South African sport Category:1966 in English sport Category:1968 in English sport Category:International sports competitions hosted by South Africa Category:International sports competitions in London Category:Sport in Bolton Category:Sports competitions in Liverpool World Snooker Championship, 1964