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1950 World Snooker Championship

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World Snooker Championship
Tournament information
Dates12 December 1949 – 18 March 1950 (1949-12-12 – 1950-03-18)
Final venueTower Circus
Final cityBlackpool
CountryEngland
OrganisationBilliards Association and Control Council
Highest break Fred Davis (ENG), 101
Final
Champion Walter Donaldson (SCO)
Runner-up Fred Davis (ENG)
Score51‍–‍46
← 1949
1951 →

The 1950 World Snooker Championship was a professional snooker tournament held from 12 December 1949 to 18 March 1950. The final was staged at the Tower Circus in Blackpool, England. A qualifying competition was held at the Temperance Billiards Hall, known as the "Guild Hall", in Battersea, London from 17 October to 12 November 1949. Kingsley Kennerley won the qualifying competition and joined seven other players in the main draw.

For the fourth year running the final was contested by Fred Davis and Walter Donaldson. Donaldson defeated Davis 51‍–‍46 to win his second and last world title. Donaldson achieved a winning margin at 49‍–‍42 with only 6 frames to play. The highest break of the tournament was 101 by Davis in frame 46 of his semi-final match against George Chenier. Chenier also made a century break, 100, in his quarter-final defeat of Peter Mans.

Background

[edit]

The World Snooker Championship is a professional tournament and the official world championship of the game of snooker.[1] The sport was developed in the late 19th century by British Army soldiers stationed in India.[2] Professional English billiards player and billiard hall manager Joe Davis noticed the increasing popularity of snooker compared to billiards in the 1920s, and with Birmingham-based billiards equipment manager Bill Camkin, persuaded the Billiards Association and Control Council (BACC) to recognise an official professional snooker championship in the 1926‍–‍27 season.[3] In 1927, the final of the first professional snooker championship was held at Camkin's Hall; Davis won the tournament by beating Tom Dennis in the final.[4] The annual competition was not titled the World Championship until the 1935 tournament,[5][6] but the 1927 tournament is now referred to as the first World Snooker Championship.[7][8] Davis had also won the title every year from 1928 to 1940, after which the tournament was not held again until 1946 due to World War II.[9]: 50–52  Fred Davis was the defending champion, having defeated Walter Donaldson 80‍–‍65 in the 1949 final.[10]

The closing date for entries for the 1950 edition was originally 1 August 1949.[11] However, about half of the leading players, including Horace Lindrum, refused to enter because of the BACC's stipulation that each player in a match should provide a stake of 20 guineas, with the stakes awarded to the match winner.[12][13] It was reported later that month that only four players – defending champion Fred Davis, Donaldson, Jim Lees and Sydney Lee – had entered; on 10 August, the BACC decided to reduce the stake fee to 10 guineas (with an entry fee of 3 guineas) and extend the closing date for entries to 1 September.[14][15] BACC member Henry Markland was quoted as saying that the reason for the increase to 20 guineas had been "to discourage the entry of low-grade professionals who are, frankly, out of their class in the championship."[12] Donaldson's withdrawal from the tournament was reported on 30 August;[16] a BACC meeting on that day decided to remove the stake fee entirely, for the first time since the championship was established in 1927, and further extend the closing date for entries until 7 September.[17] Donaldson said that as the Professional Billiard Players' Association demands had been met, he would now be participating.[17] Lindrum's manager T.B. Leng said that Lindrum would honour alternative bookings made rather than compete in the championship.[17] Sidney Smith's entry was not accepted by the BACC.[18]

Prize fund

[edit]

The Sunday Empire News, which had sponsored a professional tournament in 1948, provided a prize fund:[11]

  • Final: £300 for the winner, £80 for the highest break
  • Semi-finals: £100 for the winners, £50 for the highest break in each match
  • Quarter-finals: £50 for the winners, £30 for the highest break in each match

Main stage matches

[edit]
The interior of a large room with tiered seating
Tower Circus, Blackpool (depicted in its 1894 programme) was the venue for the final.

Matches were played over several days, with and afternoon and evening session each day, normally of six frames each.[19][20]

List of matches for the 1950 World Snooker Championship
Match Dates Venue, city Ref.
Albert Brown v John Pulman 12‍–‍17 December 1949 Market Tavern, Bradford [21]
George Chenier v Peter Mans 2‍–‍7 January 1950 Bluebell Hotel, Scunthorpe [22]
Walter Donaldson v Kingsley Kennerley 9‍–‍14 January 1950 Co-operative Hall, Bolton [23][19]
Fred Davis v Alec Brown 16‍–‍21 January 1950 Accrington [23]
Walter Donaldson v Albert Brown 6‍–‍11 February 1950 Burroughes and Watts Hall, Newcastle [19]
Fred Davis v George Chenier 6‍–‍11 February 1950 Town Hall, Oldham [19]
Fred Davis v Walter Donaldson 10‍–‍11, 13‍–‍18 March 1950 Tower Circus, Blackpool [23]

Tournament summary

[edit]

Quarter-finals

[edit]

The quarter-final matches were played across 71 frames.[24] John Pulman led Albert Brown 9‍–‍3 after the first day, but saw his lead reduced to two frames, at 13‍–‍11, after day two.[25] On the third day, Brown took eight of the 12 frames played, to lead 19‍–‍17, and the fourth day saw him dominate play to establish a ten-frame lead.[25] In the next three sessions, Pulman took 14 of 18 frames to level the match at 33‍–‍33.[25] After Brown had won the 67th frame, Pulman levelled at 34-all, but Brown took the next two frames for a decisive lead of 36‍–‍4, and added the dead frame for a final total of 37‍–‍34.[26] Brown recorded the highest break of the match, 88.[25]

Canadian George Chenier and South African Peter Mans refused to play at Scunthorpe unless they received an acceptable financial guarantee; they agreed to the BACC's offer of £150.[27][28] Chenier built a four-frame lead on the first day and maintained this advantage at the close of day two.[19] By the close of the fourth day, Chenier was 29‍–‍19 ahead.[19] Mans closed the gap to eight frames on day five, and followed this by taking all six frames in the afternoon session on the final day, leaving him two frames behind at 32‍–‍34.[19] Chenier won the first two frames of the concluding session to confirm his progression to the next round at 36‍–‍32; the final score after dead frames was 37‍–‍34.[29] Chenier's break of 100 on day two was the highest of the match.[19]

Walter Donaldson's six-frame lead against Kingsley Kennerley following their first day's play was narrowed to four frames, at 14‍–‍10, after day two.[19] The pair each won six frames on day three, but Donaldson moved into a twelve-frame lead, 30‍–‍18, by the end of day four.[19] Kennerley reduced his deficit to ten frames during the fifth day, but Donaldson won the first frame on the final day to establish a decisive margin at 36‍–‍25.[19] After dead frames, the final score was 42‍–‍29.[19] The highest break of the match was 77 by Kennerley.[19]

Fred Davis was 15‍–‍9 up on Alec Brown after two days, the pair having finished the first day level at 6‍–‍6.[30] Davis won ten of the twelve frames on day four for 32‍–‍16.[31] He secured his passage to the final by winning the first frame of the evening session on the fifth day, at 36‍–‍17; the final score after dead frames was 44‍–‍27.[32] A 92 break by Davis was the highest of the match.[19]

Semi-finals

[edit]

In the semi-finals, matches were over 71 frames.[24] Davis won all six frames in the first session against Chenier.[33] By the end of the second day, Davis was 16‍–‍8 ahead, and with the players each winning six frames on both the third and fourth days, Davis was still eight frames ahead at 28‍–‍20 at the start of day five.[34] After the first session of the fifth day the difference was still eight frames, but Davis won five of six frames on the later session to secure a winning margin at 36‍–‍24.[34][35] Davis added seven of the ten dead frames on the concluding day to finish 43‍–‍28 up.[34] The highest break of the match was 101 by Davis, in frame 46, on the fourth day.[34][36]

The match report in The Billiard Player magazine described the match between Donaldson and Brown as "a palpitating struggle [that] included a great deal of dour and tense play".[34] The players were level at 9‍–‍9, 12‍–‍12 and 18‍–‍18,[37][34] but Brown led 26‍–‍22 after taking five of the six frames of the second session on the fourth day.[34] Donaldson won the first five frames on day five, and the players were level again at 27‍–‍27.[34] Going into the last day, Brown led 31‍–‍29.[34] Donaldson took the first three frames of the afternoon session, which ended with the players all-square again, 33‍–‍33.[34] The 67th frame was won by Brown, but Donaldson took the next three frames to establish a decisive lead at 36‍–‍34.[34][38] With the dead frame also going to Donaldson, the final score was 37‍–‍34.[34] Brown made the highest break of the match, 87.[34]

Final

[edit]

The final was played over 97 frames.[24] Davis led 8‍–‍4 after the first day,[39] but after two more days Donaldson levelled the match at 18‍–‍18, including winning five of the last six that day.[40] He took a four-frame lead the following day,[41] and maintained it for several days,[42][43] eventually extending it to six frames at 45‍–‍39 on the penultimate day.[44] Donaldson's victory was confirmed on the last day when the score was 49‍–‍32, with the match ending at 51‍–‍46.[45][46] One session of the match was watched by almost 3,000 spectators.[47] It was Donaldson's second and last world championship title.[10]

The Billiard Player magazine attributed Donaldson's success to his strong safety play and a below-par performance from Davis.[46] The highest break Donaldson achieved during the match was 80, with Davis's highest break 79.[9] A reporter for the Manchester Evening News commented about the final that, "So afraid were Fred Davis and Walter Donaldson ... of making any rash move which would cost them a frame that play was painfully slow at times."[48]

Main draw

[edit]

Sources:[49][50][51]

Quarter-finals
71 frames 		Semi-finals
71 frames 		Final
97 frames
         
 Fred Davis (ENG) 44
 Alec Brown (ENG) 27
 Fred Davis (ENG) 43
 George Chenier (CAN) 28
 George Chenier (CAN) 37
 Peter Mans (SAF) 34
 Fred Davis (ENG) 46
 Walter Donaldson (SCO) 51
 Walter Donaldson (SCO) 42
 Kingsley Kennerley (ENG) 29
 Walter Donaldson (SCO) 37
 Albert Brown (ENG) 34
 John Pulman (ENG) 34
 Albert Brown (ENG) 37

Qualifying

[edit]

The qualifying contest was held at the Temperance Billiards Hall, known as the "Guild Hall",[52] an 18-table hall in Battersea, London from 17 October to 12 November 1949.[53] Kingsley Kennerley met John Barrie in the first match. Kennerley won the first five frames[53] and led 15‍–‍9 after two days. He won the first three frames on the final day to take a winning 18‍–‍9 lead, eventually winning 21‍–‍14.[54] The winner of the match was due to play Jim Lees in the qualifying quarter-finals,[55][52] but Lees withdrew.[56]

Willie Smith met Bill Withers in the second match of the week. Willie Smith led 10‍–‍2 after the first day and took an 18‍–‍4 lead on the second day.[57] The final score was 28‍–‍7.[58] After a 3-day break Sydney Lee met Conrad Stanbury. Lee led 15‍–‍9 after two days[59] and won 20‍–‍15. Herbert Holt met Dickie Laws in the last quarter-final match. Holt led 17‍–‍7 after two days and eventually won 26‍–‍9.[60] Kennerley met Willie Smith in the first semi-final and led 16‍–‍8 after two days.[61] Kennerley won 22‍–‍13.[62] Sydney Lee and Herbert Holt met in the second semi-final. Lee led 7‍–‍5 after the first day and 16‍–‍8 after the second day. Holt then got influenza and conceded the match.[63] Kennerley met Lee in the final. Lee took a 4‍–‍2 lead but Kennerley led 7–5 overnight.[64] Kennerley then extended his lead to 14‍–‍10,[65] and won 21‍–‍14.[49]

Round 1
35 frames 		Round 2
35 frames 		Round 3
35 frames 		Final
 Sydney Lee (ENG) 20
 Conrad Stanbury (CAN) 15
 Sydney Lee (ENG) w/o
 Herbert Holt (ENG) w/d
 Herbert Holt (ENG) 26
 Dickie Laws (ENG) 9
 Sydney Lee (ENG) 14
 Kingsley Kennerley (ENG) 21
 Willie Smith (ENG) 28
 Bill Withers (WAL) 7
 Willie Smith (ENG) 13
 John Barrie (ENG) 14  Kingsley Kennerley (ENG) 22
 Kingsley Kennerley (ENG) 21  Jim Lees (ENG) w/d
 Kingsley Kennerley (ENG) w/o

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Snooker championship". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 11 May 1927. p. 20. Retrieved 12 March 2019 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  2. ^ Hayton, Eric; Dee, John (2004). The CueSport Book of Professional Snooker: The Complete Record & History. Rose Villa Publications. p. 1. ISBN 978-0-9548549-0-4.
  3. ^ Everton, Clive (23 September 2004). "Davis, Joseph [Joe]". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/31013. Archived from the original on 3 September 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2020. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  4. ^ Morrison, Ian (1987). The Hamlyn Encyclopedia of Snooker. London: Hamlyn Publishing Group. pp. 27–30. ISBN 978-0-600-55604-6.
  5. ^ "Billiards – Professional title". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 3 November 1934. p. 7. Retrieved 24 November 2015 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ "Canadian's bid for Snooker title". Dundee Courier. 20 October 1934. p. 9. Retrieved 20 January 2016 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ Everton, Clive (1993). The Embassy Book of World Snooker. London: Bloomsbury. pp. 11–13. ISBN 978-0-7475-1610-1.
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  10. ^ a b Turner, Chris. "World Professional Championship". cajt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk. Chris Turner's Snooker Archive. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  11. ^ a b "Editorial: World's Professional Snooker Championship". The Billiard Player. August 1949. p. 3.
  12. ^ a b Milne, Armour (11 August 1949). "Snooker fee squabble: No compromise!". Daily Mirror. p. 10.
  13. ^ "World snooker title: Many leading players may boycott contest". Belfast News-Letter. 3 August 1949. p. 6.
  14. ^ "Horses that bear warship's name". Evening Herald. Dublin. 13 August 1949. p. 6.
  15. ^ Campling, Peter (11 August 1949). "Snooker title fee cut by half after protest". Daily News. London. p. 6.
  16. ^ "(Untitled article)". Daily Herald. 30 August 1949. p. 6.
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  24. ^ a b c Everton, Clive (1985). Snooker: The Records. Enfield: Guinness Superlatives. pp. 54–55. ISBN 978-0-85112-448-3.
  25. ^ a b c d "World's Professional Snooker Championship". The Billiard Player. January 1950. p. 12.
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  27. ^ "Offer to Empire snooker players". Western Daily Press. 7 October 1949. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "£150 guarantee ends snooker dispute". Grimsby Evening Telegraph. 7 October 1949. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "Chenier's Scunthorpe win". The Guardian Journal. 9 January 1950. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ "Sidney Smith wins all six frames". Birmingham Gazette. 18 January 1950 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ "Fred Davis well ahead". Western Daily Press. 20 January 1950. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ "Fred Davis reaches semi-final". Western Morning News. 21 January 1950. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "Davis leads in snooker tourney". The Vancouver Sun. 7 February 1950. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "World's Professional Snooker Championship – semi-finals". The Billiard Player. March 1950. pp. 3–6.
  35. ^ "Canadian beaten". Edmonton Journal. 11 February 1950. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
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  37. ^ "F. Davis again does well". The Guardian. 8 February 1950. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
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  40. ^ "Donaldson draws level in late rally". Aberdeen Press and Journal. 14 March 1950. p. 4.
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  42. ^ "Donaldson holds lead". Bradford Observer. 16 March 1950. p. 8.
  43. ^ "Donaldson holds lead". Bradford Observer. 17 March 1950. p. 6.
  44. ^ "Donaldson six up". Sheffield Daily Telegraph. 18 March 1950. p. 8.
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  46. ^ a b "Donaldson recaptures the title". The Billiard Player. April 1950. pp. 3–6.
  47. ^ "Blackpool snooker venture is success". Manchester Evening News. 18 March 1950. p. 4.
  48. ^ "Mr. Manchester's diary: snooker". Manchester Evening News. 10 March 1950. p. 3.
  49. ^ a b "World Championship 1950". Global Snooker. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
  50. ^ "Embassy World Championship". Snooker Scene. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  51. ^ Hayton, Eric (2004). The CueSport Book of Professional Snooker. Lowestoft: Rose Villa Publications. p. 144. ISBN 978-0-9548549-0-4.
  52. ^ a b "the 1949–50 championships". The Billiard Player. October 1949. p. 3.
  53. ^ a b "Kennerley's good start". Western Morning News. 18 October 1949. Retrieved 11 January 2016 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  54. ^ "Kennerley's big snooker win". Western Morning News. 20 October 1949. Retrieved 11 January 2016 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  55. ^ "Smith left out of world snooker draw". Liverpool Daily Post. 15 September 1949. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. ^ Kobylecky, John (2019). The Complete International Directory of Snooker Players – 1927 to 2018. Kobyhadrian Books. p. 137. ISBN 978-0-9931433-1-1.
  57. ^ "'Come-back' success for Willie Smith". Western Morning News. 22 October 1949. Retrieved 11 January 2016 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  58. ^ "Snooker". The Glasgow Herald. 24 October 1949. p. 2.
  59. ^ "Lee goes ahead". Western Morning News. 29 October 1949. Retrieved 11 January 2016 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  60. ^ "Holt wins through". Aberdeen Journal. 3 November 1949. Retrieved 11 January 2016 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  61. ^ "Setback for Wilie Smith". Dundee Courier. 5 November 1949. Retrieved 11 January 2016 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  62. ^ "Snooker". The Glasgow Herald. 7 November 1949. p. 7.
  63. ^ "Holt scratched". Western Morning News. 10 November 1949. Retrieved 11 January 2016 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  64. ^ "Kennerley gives over 100 pts in penalties". Western Morning News. 11 November 1949. Retrieved 11 January 2016 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  65. ^ "Kennerley further ahead". Western Morning News. 12 November 1949. Retrieved 11 January 2016 – via British Newspaper Archive.
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