By Elliott West
“John Higgins, Ronnie O’Sullivan and Mark Williams have the type of longevity as a trio that makes the Bee Gees look like one-hit wonders”.
Colin Murray
Introduction
Much has been said and written over the years about the so-called ‘Class of ‘92, a group of snooker players who all turned professional in the same years. The likes of names such as John Higgins, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams and don’t forget Joe Perry. However, essentially this is an elite club of the first three players mentioned, a trio who could fill a double-decker bus with a number of trophies won. Multiple Triple Crown champions, 28 Crucible semi-finals, 19 finals and 13 world championship titles between them, this is a triumvirate of players who have dominated the snooker stage for an impressive 30 years and don’t seem to be set to be toppled in the near future.
A Cut Above the Rest
Despite all being in their mid-forties, these three players still produce a brand of snooker that would make you a millionaire if you could bottle it. What is so impressive is that they all present in the semi-finals of this year’s World Championship and have batted off all the opponents that they have faced up to now. The astonishing statistic is that come the final day on Sunday, this will mark the 18th time in 25 years that at least one of this class has made the final of the World Snooker Championship. A groundbreaking statistic that could straight off a page in the Guinness Book of Records.
A Thorn in your Side
The only party pooper who could spoil their chances is Judd Trump, the spanner in the works, who could knock out Mark Williams or whoever he is opponent is if he reaches the final. Bold statements for a sport where the next nanosecond is unpredictable. The only thing I will say though if Judd Trump faces Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final, he isn’t scared of him and has a good track record against ‘The Rocket’. However, you must remember this is the World Championship and a completely different ball game.
Mental Strength
Snooker is not a physical sport, you don’t have to run a physical marathon but your brain does to win titles. This is a game of skill, a battle where you outwit your opponent with a barrage of pots, breaks and astute safety play to win frames and matches. Higgins, O’Sullivan and Williams have this in abundance and have defied the sands of time to maintain a standard of snooker which makes the mind boggle. They are a fearless club whose aim is to chase titles and smash records.
Journeymen
O’Sullivan is often criticised for not turning up when he plays with his switch prone to turning off and an easy target when his mind is elsewhere. However, when his switch is flicked on, Ronnie produces snooker from the gods, a brand of snooker that is a table fitter’s nightmare, littering the cloth with puffs of chalk dust and pummelling the acute pockets.
This trio are journeymen who can resist the challenges of loneliness, solitude and time away from their loved ones. They may have expensive suitcases and clothes packed by others but their presence is electrifying, enthusing any audience they play in front of and mesmerising them with their divine snooker skills. Despite multiple threats of retirement, these players are still a dominant force, The Rolling Stones of their sport. Snooker Gods who may not be immortal but who will dominate the Snooker Almanac long after they retire as future snooker players attempt to chase their multitude of records.
