Pot Black 2005.

October 2005

The famous competition that propelled snooker into a nation's consciousness returned in 2005. When the show was first aired in 1969 snooker was a game played in the pub after a few beers; when it was last broadcast in 1991 the game was a global sport. The event, brought back after a gap of 14 years, was played in the grand surroundings of the RAC Club in Pall Mall.

The world's top eight players, three rounds, twenty-two balls, one frame, one chance, and only one Pot Black. Mistakes are not expected, but don't discount the pressure of the occasion getting to the players.

This isn't any tournament - this is Pot Black. Who will blink first?

The world No 4 from Carmarthen beat Shaun Murphy 53-27 in the final of the one-frame knockout event at the Royal Automobile Club in London, gaining a small measure of revenge.

Stevens, beaten 18-16 by Murphy in the world final, clinched the trophy over just one frame in the revived competition. The Welshman secured a points victory on the colours after his opponent's Murphy error on the yellow.

"Obviously I'd rather have beaten Shaun in the World Championship but this is a very special event to win, - said Stevens, who was not even born when Pot Black was first held in 1969.

Murphy had looked hot from the start - beating Jimmy White in the first quarter-final with a break of 111, the highest in the history of the competition.

John Higgins also looked on song, leaving Stephen Maguire without a pot in their quarter-final, to set up a meeting with Murphy. Higgins forged ahead with 49 but missed a red after using the rest and Murphy produced a tremendous clearance of 71 to the blue to reach the final.

The world final re-run was confirmed when Stevens made a break of 65 to comfortably beat Paul Hunter - who had earlier disposed of Ronnie O'Sullivan on the black after a colours clearance.

It was a framented final frame, both players knocking in impressive long pots but unable to build a decisive contribution. It came down to the colours in an tense finish, Stevens knocking in a crucial mid-range pot on the yellow and clearing to the pink for victory.

"We both made a few mistakes but that adds to the excitement in a one-frame event like this. I was pleased to knock that yellow in, - said Stevens, who took his second title of the season having won the Northern Ireland Trophy in August. - I've only had to play three frames to win this but it's always nice to win any tournament. It's a fantastic venue, it's been a great day and I really hope this will be a regular event".

Based on the BBC Snooker materials