SM
France vs. Luxembourg: 10 hrs 58 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Alex Higgins birthday: A look at the Hurricane's greatest breaks

:Headline: Alex Higgins birthday: A look at the Hurricane's greatest breaks: ID:393244: from db_amp
From dramatic match-winners against Jimmy White and Steve Davis to a tournament win over Stephen Hendry, the Hurricane at his best.

Alex Higgins, who would have celebrated his 71st birthday on Wednesday, remains one of the most famous names in snooker even a decade after his death.

Higgins helped lift sport into a new era of global television audiences with his volatile temperament and his ability to summon dramatic performances when it mattered.

Here the PA News Agency picks out five of Higgins' greatest breaks:

69 v Jimmy White
1982 World Championship semi-final

Alex Higgins edged Jimmy White in a classic (PA Archive)

Trailing 15-14 in their best-of-31 clash, Higgins looked down and out when he came to the table trailing 59-0. But he summoned one of the most famous clearances in snooker history, despite constantly falling out of position, to retrieve the frame and go on to win the match and ultimately the title.

44 v Steve Davis
1983 UK Championship final

Alex Higgins saw off his great rival Steve Davis (PA Archive)

Higgins had clawed his way back from 7-0 down in a tempestuous clash with his old rival, and the pair went into a final frame decider locked at 15-15. Higgins held his nerve with a careful break of 44 which ultimately saw him over the line against his shell-shocked opponent.

135 v Ray Reardon
1982 World Championship final

Alex Higgins secured an emotional win over Ray Reardon (PA Archive)

Needing one more frame to win his second world title 10 years after his first, Higgins capitalised on a loose safety by Reardon to bullet home a long red and stick for the black. It paved the way for a stunning clearance of 135 to take the title – followed by an emotional embrace with his young daughter Lauren.

62 v Stephen Hendry
1989 Irish Masters final

A young Stephen Hendry was dazzled by Alex Higgins (John Giles/PA)

Beyond his 40th birthday and with his career seemingly set into decline, Higgins roused himself to sink up-and-coming Hendry amid incredibly raucous scenes in the final of the Irish Masters in County Kildare. Every ball of the 62 break which gave the veteran a 9-8 victory was cheered to the rafters by a capacity crowd.

137 v Tai Pichit
1995 World Championship qualifier

Alex Higgins struggled in his final years (PA Media)

Higgins recorded his highest competitive break against the former Buddhist monk Pichit, who looked on in alarm as the troubled Higgins began crying as he swept up the colours. Earlier in the match, which Higgins lost 10-5, he accused referee John Williams of being "in his line of thought".

amp_article__393244 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-03-18 08:51:28:
html db last update - 2020-03-18 08:51:28 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .