When it was first announced that the World Matchplay Billiards would be held in Moscow there were few who believed it, and when it became known that it was indeed going to happen then there was more than a little scepticism as to the outcome. This magazine claims to have been amongst the least sceptical (See P.19 of the October Issue) for the reasons that billiards being known as a highly artistic, unfashionable, introspective, out-of-date sort of game, it might just prove popular with the Russians who are themselves known as a highly artistic, unfashionable, introspective, out-of-date sort of people. It proved to be so. The event was held at the Soviet Officers Sports Club, it was watched by large crowds - there were said to be 2000 at the Final, and was covered on Soviet T.V. Press coverage was extensive, the organisation meticulous. The spectators quickly came to appreciate some of the finer points of the game, and there was a conspicuous absence of some of the more inane comments that we have come to expect from the average English Snooker fan such as, "Come on Jimmy." B.Q.R. is also informed that that strange noise so often heard as Wayne Whatsisname bangs in the final black i.e. "eeeeeah, "as never in evidence. As regards snooker it is reported that Ian Williamson received a standing ovation for a 70 break, well, the Russians always were famous for their patience and fortitude these national traits being honed to perfection during the Stalin era. But as Cleopatra said, "Let's to Billiards."
The Kenilworth preliminaries held in September had sorted out the Four Semi-finalists:- Mike Russell, Geet Sethi, Robby Foldvari and Ian Williamson. The semifinals were the best of seven games of 150 up. Geet Sethi did well to beat Ian Williamson 4 - 0 - anybody who beats Ian Williamson 4-0 has done exceptionally well - whilst Mike Russell Beat Robby Foldvari 4-2. The Muscovites were thus fortunate that the two most attractive players to watch had arrived at the 13 game final.
The Final was an extraordinary match. Russell led by 6 games to 1 at the end of the first session. In the second session the mercurial Indian took 5 games on the trot to get to 6 all with everything to play for in the last game. Russell just made it to retain the Title he had won in Manchester some 18 months previously.
Game l: Sethi was first in with 65 but Russell with 64 and 78 drew first blood. 150 (64.78.) - 79 (65).
Game 2: Russell won the game in three visits, 0 (break).106, and 44. 150 (106.44.) - 12
Game 3: Russell again in three 0, 10, and 140 mostly off the red ball. 150 (140) - 17.
Game 4: This one went to Sethi in 3; 0, 2, and 148 also mostly off the red ball (114 points) 21 - 150 (148).
Game 5: Sethi led to a hundred only to see Russell run out with a 71. 150 (71) - 100 (56).
Game 6: Another very even game both players making a break of 45, Russell running out with a 51. 150 (51) - 71.
Game 7: A fine game.At his second visit Sethi scored 24. Russell following with 14. Sethi's next visit saw him make a 91 to lead 115 - 14. Russell went to the table and calmly ran out with 136. 150 (136) - 115 (91).
| Russell
| 6 | Sethi
| 1 |
Game 8: Each player had one visit. Russell's was to break off from which Sethi ran out. 0 - 152 (152*)
Game 9: Russell was in first with 42. Sethi followed with 73 and with smaller items took the game to make it 6 -3. This still left Russell with a, "cushion." 1 - 150 (73).
Game 10: Sethi took his third game on the trot with a couple of 70 breaks. Whereas in the first session Russell was getting in and running out now he was getting in and breaking down. 89 - 150 (76.70).
Game 11: With his lead cut to 2 Russell must have been feeling somewhat apprehensive. Again he was in first but broke down at 46 letting Sethi in for a 129. Russell followed with 75 but could not clinch it and the Indian took his 4th consecutive game. 135 (78) - 150 (129).
Game 12: Russell could score only 12 as Sethi with another century levelled the match. From 6 -1 up to 6 all with one to play must have made the World Champion feel pretty sick. 12 - 152 (102).
Game 13: Unlucky for some as they say at Bingo. It turned out to be Sethi but what a performance it would have been had the Indian taken also this final game. The tension was very clear in both players and this was the longest game of the series. (Sethi 12 visits. Russell 11.) Sethi started with 46. Russell replied with 17 but then faced a double-baulk and could not force an opening but at his 5th visit got in to score 77 and lead 97 - 68. Neither player was willing to take the slightest risk. Russell just managed to get the best of the safety exchange and scoring 12, 2 and 35* took the game, the match, and the Title, The sigh of relief could have been heard nearly all the way back to Redcar.