IT’S THE GOLDEN AGE OF SNOOKER
Comeback king Williams, 43, loving his Crucible showdown with Higgins, 42
MARK WILLIAMS insists he will savour every moment of this year’s golden-oldie Crucible final.
The 43-year-old Welshman is in a first Betfred World Championship final for 15 years after seriously considering quitting the sport last summer.
And Scottish opponent John Higgins, a year younger, is also a member of the famous ‘Class of 92’ – along with Ronnie O’Sullivan – who all turned pro 26 years ago.
It is the most venerable Crucible final in terms of combined age, and both could become the oldest champion since Ray Reardon (right, top) at 45 back in 1978.
Williams, who has enjoyed a staggering renaissance this season, winning three titles, has crossed swords with four-time champion Higgins since they were teenagers.
Two-time champ Williams, who led 5-3 after the first session, said: “I can’t believe I am back in a world final. Win or lose, it is my best season for years and I will be enjoying it.
“Hopefully, if it does go close against John on Monday, I don’t collapse like a cheap tent again like I almost did at the end of the semi-final.
“I remember playing John in something called the Mita World Masters when we were 15 – he hammered me and won £5,000. Then I beat him a week later 4-0 in the final of the British juniors and won £295.
“We have played each other since we were about 13, so to be playing in a Crucible final for the first time is incredible, even though we have played in the semis before.
“And if somehow I do win I will stick to my word, I’ll be sitting in the press conference afterwards with nothing on and maybe holding one of these ice buckets in place.
“I have always felt that Ronnie and John are ahead of me. But this season I have been the form player, and very consistent. Ronnie has won five tournaments but gone out early in a couple.”
Higgins said: ‘‘This final feels extra special just because Mark and I have been going at it since junior days.
“I am going for a fifth title 20 years after I won it for the first time – Mark is going for a third 18 years after he won it for the first time. “He is bald, and I am grey, so it is a mental final.’’ The 42-year-old O’Sullivan (below), for once watching the showpiece occasion as a TV pundit, has huge respect for both men. The Rocket, a fivetime world champion, said: “These two are true gladiators of the sport, the best of the best – and this should probably be pay-perview. “We all pushed each other on to greater things, myself, John and Mark – I am sure of that. If I saw John win a tournament or a world title, then I would go away and practise harder and try to win one. Then if John saw Mark or me win one, he would respond.
“For me, John is the best of the three of us. If you offered the pros a chance to swap their game, about 99.9 per cent of the tour would say, ‘Could I have John’s please?’
“We were like Mexican boxers, tough boys who grew up fighting each other. We had the junior circuit and then the amateur circuit, and both were very, very competitive.
“So we were hardened even before we turned professional, and probably could have done that at 14.
“Nowadays the new breed of young players don’t have a proper junior or amateur scene.
“They pay their way, get on tour via Q-School, and then get regularly battered by the big boys. They are not ready.’’