By Elliott West
Introduction
Over the years, there have been many memorable snooker tournaments that have eventually faded into the sunset. One such event was ‘The Classic’. This snooker tournament ran from 1980-1992 under various titles and was played at the Bournemouth International Centre, the Spectrum Arena in Warrington and a brief spell at the Norbreck Castle Hotel in Blackpool. With winners such as John Spencer, Steve Davis, Willie Thorne and Jimmy White, this was a fantastic tournament in its time and provided several players with well deserved silverware for their efforts.
Metamorphosis
Starting out as the Wilson Open in January, 1980, this event was initially an eight-man invitational event and was recorded at Granada Television. In the first year, the tournament was held twice with John Spencer beating Alex Higgins, 4-3 in the final and later that year Steve Davis defeated Dennis Taylor, 4-1.
By 1982, the event changed its name to the Lada Classic after the car manufacturer sponsored the tournament. Terry Griffiths won in the final, beating Steve Davis, 9-8 but it was the quarterfinal match between Steve Davis and John Spencer that was more memorable with Davis achieving the first televised 147 break. In 1983 the field of players was expanded to 16 and the event was moved to the Spectrum Arena in Warrington. This was the year that Bill Werbenuik reached one of his three professional finals but was sadly defeated by Steve Davis, 9-5. The other being the Winfield Masters in 1983 when he lost to Cliff Thorburn, 7-3. He did however win the New Zealand Masters in 1983, a ‘Pot Black’ style event, beating Doug Mountjoy, 1-0.
In 1984, the event was granted ranking status. This ‘Classic’ produced a controversial final with Steve Davis locked horns at 8-8, Meo was in the balls but as he lined up the yellow, a member of the audience shouted out “Come on Tony!” and distracted Meo. It was a costly intervention and miss as Davis won the match, 9-8.
Mercantile Credit took over the sponsorship in 1985 and the event was renamed, the Mercantile Credit Classic. This was to be Willie Thorne’s only professional title. An emotional win that saw him defeat Cliff Thorburn, 13-8. Following this win, the Classic was moved to the Norbreck Castle Hotel in Blackpool with just the last 16 playing. The earlier matches taking place, earlier in the season. Steve Davis won the final in 1986 after defeating Jimmy White, 13-12. Davis won again in 1987, beating John Parrott, 13-11.
In 1989, Doug Mountjoy won his second consecutive title after claiming the UK Championship, defeating Wayne Jones, 13-11. In 1990, there were a series of upsets as only four of the top sixteen reached its seeded place. Steve James won his only title this year by defeating Warren King, 10-6 in the final. The tournament then moved to the Bournemouth International Centre in 1991. Stephen Hendry reached the final in 1991 and 1992 but lost to Jimmy White, 4-10 and 8-9 against Steve Davis. After the 1992 event, the tournament was discontinued and replaced by the Welsh Open in the snooker calendar.
Roll of Honour
January, 1980 John Spencer v Alex Higgins 4-3
December, 1980 Steve Davis v Dennis Taylor 4-1
1982 Terry Griffiths v Steve Davis 9-8
1983 Steve Davis v Bill Werbenuik 9-5
1984 Steve Davis v Tony Meo 9-8
1985 Willie Thorne v Cliff Thorburn 13-8
1986 Jimmy White v Cliff Thorburn 13-12
1987 Steve Davis v Jimmy White 13-12
1988 Steve Davis v John Parrott 13-11
1989 Doug Mountjoy v Wayne Jones 13-11
1990 Steve James v Warren King 10-6
1991 Jimmy White v Stephen Hendry 10-4
1992 Steve Davis v Stephen Hendry 9-8
Summary
In summary, ‘The Classic’ helped some players acquire their only title and produced a high standard of snooker. The event in its time, was dominated by Steve Davis titles with Steve claiming the trophy on six occasions. Evolving from a non-ranking event in 1980 to a ranking one in 1984, the name of the tournament may have changed but it still had the same, classic performances. An event that was memorable and will always be remembered fondly.
