By Elliott West
“I assume there is a correct way to play Timeframe but I don’t know what it is yet”.
Neal Foulds
Introduction
There have been many attempts over the years to revive the iconic BBC snooker programme Pot Black which was first broadcast on BBC2 in 1969. One such hybrid of the show came in the form of Pot Black Timeframe in 1992. Based on time as the title eludes, each match had a set duration with each player allowed the same amount of time. However, if one player went over that allotted time then points start to be deducted at the rate of four points for every ten seconds he/she is at the table. Extra points are added on as a result. The format meant that more than one frame could be completed in the allotted time while the only other change was the awarding of a free ball for any foul.
Filmed at the Norbreck Hydro in Blackpool in the Summer of 1992 and broadcast from the 7th September-14 October of that year, each show was 20 minutes long with the final being slightly longer. Shown on a Monday and Wednesday at 1500, it involved the top-ranked 16 players of the 1992-93 season. Presented by Eamonn Holmes, the commentary was provided by Ted Lowe and Willie Thorne and John Williams was the referee.
Two of the top 16 were missing from this outing, Stephen Hendry and Darren Morgan, replaced by Alison Fisher, the first-ever woman to play in the series and the professional debut of Ronnie O’Sullivan. A player who would go on to beat the defending Pot Black champion in the first episode of the series 174-117.
The Ultimate Prize
In a hard-fought competition where none of the players really knew how to handle this new spin on a tried and tested format, it was a smiling Neal Foulds who was ultimately victorious in the final, beating Thailand’s James Wattana 252-176 for the title and the £10,000 prize money. Not noted for his fast play, Foulds seemed almost dumbfounded that he had won, commenting after the final, saying:
“I am amazed that I won because I am not noted for my quickness. The tactics needed are fun and made me think fast and I thoroughly enjoyed the new format”.
Neal Foulds
In the semi-finals, James Wattana defeated John Parrott 128-84. The Liverpudlian joked after the defeat, saying :
“The sound that that the Timeframe computer makes made me think I was playing in a submarine”.
John Parrott
In the other semi-final Neal Foulds produced a convincing win against Gary Wilkinson with Wilkinson saying:
“I got into a total panic. I am one of the slowest players but didn’t think Timeframe would suit my style. But it was great fun even though I felt I was running running around like a chicken with its head cut off”.
Gary Wilkinson
Wilkinson had previously knocked out Ronnie O’Sullivan 134-83 in the quarter-finals while Neal Foulds had beaten Jimmy White 119-79. John Parrott also won in this round, winning the closest match of the tournament 99-96. Parrott had previously beaten Alison Fisher 103-91 with Alison describing the tournament as ‘great fun’ but Timeframe really scrambled her mind.
Early wins also came for Neal Foulds who defeated Nigel Bond 69-57 and Jimmy White beat Dennis Taylor 120-98. Jimmy later said of the event:
“It was great fun and there is not much time to concentrate. It’s like being in a taxi with the meter ticking over”.
Jimmy White
Results
Round One (Losers £1,000)
Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Steve Davis 174-117
Gary Wilkinson beat Steve James 114-93
Neal Foulds beat Nigel Bond 69-57
Jimmy White beat Dennis Taylor 120-98
John Parrott beat Alison Fisher 103-91
Alain Robidoux beat Terry Griffiths 124-73
Willie Thorne beat Alan McManus 106-96
James Wattana beat Martin Clark 116-79
Quarter-Finals (Losers £1,500)
Gary Wilkinson beat Ronnie O’Sullivan 134-83
Neal Foulds beat Jimmy White 119-79
John Parrott beat Alain Robidoux 99-96
James Wattana beat Willie Thorne 133-74
Semi-Finals (Losers £3,000)
Neal Foulds beat Gary Wilkinson 103-84
James Wattana beat John Parrott 128-84
Final (Winner £10,000, Loser £6,000)
Neal Foulds beat James Wattana 252-176
