The Final [1985] [DVD]Steve Davis (actor) Dennis Taylor (actor)
Format: all-region dvd (worldwide) Runtime: 117 min Quality: Very good Vhs transfers
A record viewing audience of 18.5 million were tuned to BBC2, the largest after midnight figure ever recorded and BBC2's best ever figure. It was also, at the time, the largest British audience for a sporting event.
Taylor dropped just two frames against Silvino Franscisco in the first round, six to Eddie Charlton in the last 16, and five to Cliff Thorburn and Tony Knowles respectively to reach the final. Davis, aiming to become the first player to win three successive Crucible titles, survived a first round scare, 10-8 against Neal Foulds, and was untroubled thereafter as he went into the final as overwhelming favourite.
He won all seven frames of the first session and the first of the second session to lead 8-0. At that point it looked over but Taylor managed to win two of the next three plus the five remaining frames of the first day to trail only 9-7 before levelling at 11-11 on the second afternoon.
Davis won the
next two frames on the black to lead 13-11 and led again at 17-15 before Taylor drew level at 17-17...The match was to be decided in a thrilling final frame. |