1971 World Snooker Championship

The 1971 World Snooker Championship was a professional snooker tournament that took place between 28 September and 7 November 1970 in Australia.[1][2] The tournament was the first time the World Snooker Championship had been held outside England, with matches held at various locations in New South Wales and Brisbane. John Spencer won his second World Championship by defeating Warren Simpson 37–29 in the final. Eddie Charlton made the highest break of the tournament with a break of 129 in the final session of his round-robin match against Gary Owen.

1971 World Snooker Championship

Tournament information
Dates	28 September–7 November 1970
Final venue	Chevron Hotel
Final city	Sydney
Country	Australia
Organisation(s)	WPBSA
Format	Ranking event
Winner's share	£2,333
Highest break	Eddie Charlton (129)
Final
Champion	John Spencer
Runner-up	Warren Simpson
Score	37–29
← 1970 1972 →

Sydney

Brisbane

Newcastle

Kurri Kurri

Lithgow

Wingham

Wagga Wagga

Dubbo

Port Macquarie

Nambucca Heads

Griffith

Lismore

Forbes

Venues in New South Wales

Overview

The World Snooker Championship is a professional tournament and the official world championship of the game of snooker.[3] Founded in the late 19th century by British Army soldiers stationed in India,[4] the sport was popular in the British Isles.[5] However, in the modern era it has become increasingly popular worldwide, especially in East and Southeast Asian nations such as China, Hong Kong and Thailand.[lower-alpha 1][5][7][8]

This championship featured nine professional players competing in one-on-one snooker matches in a round-robin format until four players remained, where it reverted to a single elimination format. Each match is played over a predetermined number of frames and sessions.[1][9] Joe Davis won the first World Championship in 1927, the final match being held in Camkin's Hall, Birmingham, England.[10][11]

Format

The championship was held from 28 September–7 November 1970 at several locations across Australia. This was the first time the championship was held outside the United Kingdom, and would be later hosted in Australia again in 1975.[2] The initial stage was a round robin in which each competitor played a 3-day, 37-frame match against four of the other eight competitors.[1][9] The number of frames needed to win a match increased at the semi-finals stage, which were played as the best-of-49, and the final as the best-of-73 frames.[12]

Tournament summary

Round-robin rounds

The first match between Paddy Morgan and Warren Simpson was from 28 to 30 September and was won by Morgan by a score of 21–16.[13][14] Eddie Charlton and Norman Squire met in the second match, during which Charlton made a break of 106, the first century break of the championship.[15] The British players did not start their matches until 6 October when John Spencer, John Pulman and Gary Owen started their first matches.[16]

Ray Reardon started his first match on 9 October, beating Perrie Mans.[17][15] Spencer made a break of 105 in his second win, over Norman Squire, which finished 27–10.[15] Reardon and Spencer played again from 12 to 14 October. Reardon beat Charlton while Spencer defeat Pulman.[18] Charlton made a break of 116 while Pulman made one of 113 while Spencer a 102 break.[19][20] Simpson met Owen from 13 to 15 October. Owen led 17–14 and 18–17 but Simpson won the last two frames to win 18–17.[21]

Owen scored his first century in his match against Squire, a break of 102.[22] Owen and Charlton won their second matches and met over the following three days, with Charlton made the highest break of the tournament, a 129.[23][24][25] Reardon met Morgan in Brisbane and led 20–10, before Morgan did not appear for the final session, awarding Reardon a 27–10 win. The third win guaranteed his place in the semi-final where he would meet John Spencer.[26] Charlton beat Owen to give him his third win and a place in the semi-final.[23] Simpson then beat Perrie Mans 19–18 to gain the last semi-final place.[23]

Knockout rounds

The first semi-final between Charlton and Simpson was played from 25 to 28 October at Forbes Golf Club. Simpson led 7–5 after the first day and maintained a 13–11 lead after the second day.[27] Simpson won the last 5 frames on the third day to lead 21–15.[28] Simpson clinched the match of the final day when he won the third frame of the evening session to lead 25–20. Dead frames were played with the final score being 27–22. The best break of the match was a 95 by Simpson.[29]

The second semi-final between Spencer and Reardon was played from 27 to 30 October at Parramatta Leagues Club, Sydney.[26] Spencer took a 9–3 lead on the first day.[28] Reardon made a 108 break during the evening session.[30] Spencer extended his lead to 19–5 after two days[29] and won the match 25–7 on the third evening. Spencer made a break of 106 on the third afternoon and Reardon made one of 109 in a dead frame on the third evening.[31] The match ended with Spencer leading 34–15. Reardon's defeat meant he held the record as the player with the shortest reign as world champion.[32]

The final was held from 2 to 7 November at the Chevron Hotel in Sydney.[31][33] Spencer won his second world title and earned £2,333.[34] Spencer led 8–4 after the first day[35] and 17–7 after the second day. He made a break of 105 on the second afternoon and then made breaks of 126 and 107 in the second and third frames of the evening session.[36] At the half-way stage Simpson had reduced Spencer's lead to 20–16[37] but Spencer led 29–19 after four days[38] and eventually won 37–29 on the final day.[39] Simpson had reached the final at his first attempt.[2]

Results

Round-robin stage

Match	Winner	Score	Runner up	Date	Venue	Ref.
1	Paddy Morgan	21–16	Warren Simpson	28–30 September	Kings Cross RSL Club, Sydney	[40][41]
2	Eddie Charlton	27–10	Norman Squire	2–4 October	Kurri Kurri RSL Club	[42]
3	John Spencer	20–17	Perrie Mans	6–8 October	Canterbury-Bankstown Leagues Club, Sydney	[43][44][45]
4	Warren Simpson	22–15	John Pulman	6–8 October	South Newcastle Leagues Club, Newcastle	[43][44][45]
5	Gary Owen	26–11	Paddy Morgan	6–8 October	Wentworthville RSL Club, Sydney	[43][44][45]
6	John Spencer	27–10	Norman Squire	9–11 October	Lithgow Workers' Club	[46][47]
7	Ray Reardon	21–16	Perrie Mans	9–11 October	Wingham RSL Club	[46][47]
8	John Spencer	23–14	John Pulman	12–14 October	Wagga Wagga RSL Club	[19][20]
9	Ray Reardon	21–16	Eddie Charlton	12–14 October	Wallsend RSL Club, Newcastle	[48][19][20]
10	Warren Simpson	19–18	Gary Owen	13–15 October	Dubbo Ex-Servicemen's Club	[19][20][49]
11	John Pulman	25–12	Paddy Morgan	15–17 October	Coogee-Randwick RSL Club, Sydney	[49][50][51]
12	Gary Owen	19–18	Norman Squire	17–19 October	Port Macquarie RSL Club	[50][51]
13	Eddie Charlton	26–11	Perrie Mans	17–19 October	Nambucca Heads RSL Club	[50][51][52]
14	Ray Reardon	27–10	Paddy Morgan	19–21 October	Queensland Masonic Club, Brisbane	[52][53]
15	Eddie Charlton	23–14	Gary Owen	20–22 October	City Tattersalls Club, Sydney	[53][24]
16	Warren Simpson	19–18	Perrie Mans	21–23 October	Griffith Ex-Servicemen's Club	[53][24]
17	John Pulman	26–11	Norman Squire	21–23 October	Parramatta RSL Club, Sydney	[53][24]
18	Ray Reardon	21–16	John Spencer	22–24 October	Lismore Workers' Club	[24][28]

Morgan missed the final session in his match against Reardon. Reardon had won the match and was leading 20–10.

Table

Pos	Player	Pld	MW	ML	FW	FL	FD	Pts
1	Ray Reardon	4	4	0	90	58	+32	8
2	Eddie Charlton	4	3	1	92	56	+36	6
3	John Spencer	4	3	1	86	62	+24	6
4	Warren Simpson	4	3	1	76	72	+4	6
5	John Pulman	4	2	2	80	68	+12	4
6	Gary Owen	4	2	2	77	71	+6	4
7	Paddy Morgan	4	1	3	54	94	−40	2
8	Perrie Mans	4	0	4	62	86	−24	0
9	Norman Squire	4	0	4	49	99	−50	0

The basis on which the semi-final draw was organised is not known. The 22 October edition of The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Reardon would play Spencer in the second semi-final. At the time Reardon and Spencer still had to play each other and Charlton, Owen and Simpson also had one match to play. So the final order of the group was still undecided.[26]

Knockout stage

The remaining four players contested a knockout round. Players in bold denote match winners.[1][9][12]

	Semi-finals 49 frames					Final Best of 73 frames
		Eddie Charlton	22
		Warren Simpson	27
							Warren Simpson	29
							John Spencer	37
		John Spencer	34
		Ray Reardon	15

References

1. The "modern era" of snooker is understood to have started in 1969, when the World Championship reverted to a knockout format.[6]

1. "World Championship 1971". Global Snooker. Archived from the original on 2010-12-28. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
2. Turner, Chris. "World Professional Championship". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 24 February 2011.
3. "World Snooker Championship to stay in UK". Matchroom Sport. 19 January 2015. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
4. Clare, Peter (2008). "Origins of Snooker". Billiard and Snooker Heritage Collection. Archived from the original on 3 January 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
5. "The Rise Of China". worldsnooker.com. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. 26 February 2018. Archived from the original on 19 April 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
6. "John Higgins eyes more crucible titles". The Daily Telegraph. London. 5 May 2009. Archived from the original on 30 April 2010. Retrieved 13 April 2020. the modern era, which began in 1969 when the World Championship became a knockout event.
7. Wilson, Bill (24 April 2015). "Snooker looks to cue up more big breaks in China". BBC News. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
8. "Snooker world champion, Hongkonger Ng On-yee aims to change image of male-dominated game". Hong Kong Free Press. Agence France-Presse. 17 March 2018. Archived from the original on 16 August 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
9. "1971 World Championships Results". Snooker Database. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
10. "History of Snooker – a Timeline". wpbsa. World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. Archived from the original on 18 April 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
11. "1927 World Professional Championship". globalsnookercentre.co.uk. Global Snooker Centre. Archived from the original on 10 October 2004. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
12. "Embassy World Championship". Snooker Scene. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
13. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 September 1970. p. 17. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
14. "21-16 in Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 October 1970. p. 17.
15. "Spencer's 105 break in title snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 October 1970. p. 17.
16. "Snooker stars seek title". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 October 1970. p. 17. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
17. "Spencer shows class in snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 9 October 1970. p. 14. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
18. "Charlton beaten – Early frames vital". The Sydney Morning Herald. 15 October 1970. p. 16.
19. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 October 1970. p. 21.
20. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 15 October 1970. p. 18.
21. "Simpson's exciting snooker win". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 October 1970. p. 17.
22. "First snooker win". The Sun-Herald. 18 October 1970. p. 75.
23. "Snooker to Charlton – Breaks of 129 and 124". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 October 1970. p. 17.
24. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 October 1970. p. 18.
25. "Test for Charlton". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 October 1970. p. 23.
26. "Reardon in final four". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 October 1970. p. 15. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
27. "Simpson retains 2-frame lead". The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 October 1970. p. 23. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
28. "Simpson leads by six frames". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 October 1970. p. 17.
29. "Simpson enter final of world snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 October 1970. p. 17. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
30. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 28 October 1970. p. 19.
31. "Spencer makes the final". The Sydney Morning Herald. 30 October 1970. p. 15.
32. Eric, Hayton (2004). The CueSport Book of Professional Snooker: The Complete Record & History. London: Rose Villa Publications. ISBN 978-0-9548549-0-4.
33. "Spencer regains snooker title". The Times. 9 November 1970. p. 13.
34. "1971 World Championships Player Prize Money". Snooker Database. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
35. "Spencer takes early lead over Simpson". The Times. 4 November 1970. p. 18.
36. "Spencer sets world record". The Glasgow Herald. 4 November 1970. p. 6.
37. "Simpson shortens the gap". The Times. 5 November 1970. p. 13.
38. "Spencer nears world title". The Glasgow Herald. 6 November 1970. p. 6. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
39. "Spencer regains the title". The Times. 9 November 1970. p. 13.
40. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 September 1970. p. 24. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
41. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 October 1970. p. 14.
42. "Snooker". The Sun-Herald. 4 October 1970. p. 69. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
43. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 7 October 1970. p. 18. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
44. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 October 1970. p. 19.
45. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 9 October 1970. p. 14. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
46. "Snooker". The Sun-Herald. 11 October 1970. p. 93. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
47. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 October 1970. p. 16.
48. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 October 1970. p. 23. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
49. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 October 1970. p. 17.
50. "Snooker". The Sun-Herald. 18 October 1970. p. 88.
51. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 October 1970. p. 18.
52. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 October 1970. p. 22.
53. "Snooker". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 October 1970. p. 16. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.