Re: Past Champions - John Parrott
2011 will see ten past Crucible champions not competing at the Crucible this year; Spencer, Reardon, Griffths, Thorburn, Davis, Higgins, Taylor, Johnson, Parrott and Doherty.
Over the final days before the World Championship begins, I take a look back at each of them, in turn of their title.
Today we go back to 1991
JOHN PARROTT (1964-) Crucible Victory 1991
John Parrott came to the Crucible in 1991 as one of the top four seeds, all of whom were comfortably predicted to reach the semi-finals. Three of the four, White, Davis and Parrott would do so, whilst James upset the [party by eliminating Hendry 13-11 in the quarter-finals. Parrott’s record at the Crucible was steady, having never failed to win at least one match at the tournament each year. In 1989, he had reached the final, only exhausted by the emotional burden of carrying the city of Liverpool through some of its most emotional days, he lost 18-3 to Steve Davis. In 1990, by this time up to second in the rankings, he was again in the one table situation, before a 16-11 loss against Stephen Hendry would send him out.
Parrott, seeded third for the championship in 1991 would begin his campaign with a match against Nigel Gilbert. Breaks of 32, 34 and 131 helping to take a 3-1 lead at the interval, and after Gilbert reduced the gap to one frame, breaks of 95, 54 and 87 helped Parrott extend his lead to 6-3 at the end of the session. A break of 53 in the twelfth frame helped increase the lead to 8-4 after Gilbert had taken the opening frame. Breaks of 41, 52 and 30 helped the qualifier reduce the gap to two frames, and despite a 33 in the next, Parrott would able to move to 9-6 with a 43. Parrott from the three frame lead spent little time in securing the win to go through 10-6.
In round two, JP would meet Tony Knowles, who despite being ranked 2nd in the world five years ago had dropped down the ranking list and subsequently had been required to qualify for the tournament. A 10-8 win over John Virgo had taken him into the last 16, and the likelihood of returning to the last 16 in the rankings.
Parrott gave Knowles little room to manoeuvre throughout the match, a break of 79 quickly establishing a 2-0 lead, and though Knowles would be respondent with a 38, it would be his highest break as Parrott rattled in, 36, 64, 137 and 34 to go 7-1 up at the end of the session, and completed the rout in the second session with breaks of 57, 68, 36, 138, 40 and 69 to win through 13-1 and book his place in the later stages for the third year in succession.
His opponent at this stage of the tournament would be Terry Griffiths, now back to 6th in the world rankings. Terry had defeated two debutants to reach this stage, Barry Pinches 10-3 and Alan McManus 13-12. With confidence oozing after the performance in the last 16, JP moved 3-0 up with breaks of 79, 64, 32 and 60. After a Griffiths 49 helped get him onto the scoreboard, breaks of 30, 46, 42 and 30 would quickly extend the Liverpudlian’s lead to 5-1, before Griffiths closed the gap to 5-3 heading into Tuesday evening’s middle session. A 67 in the opening frame would make it 6-3 and though John looked set to go 7-3, a 51 from Griffiths would claw a frame back, the same happened in the next frame when a 47 helped Parrott look good for 7-4, only to now lead 6-5. A 94 helped restore the two frame lead at the interval but after the break, Griffiths breaks of 82 and 61 helped level the match up at 7-7. It would take breaks of 36 and 101 from the Englishman to restore the lead at 9-7 going into the Wednesday final session.
A break of 38 would give some breathing space, and a lead of 10-7 before breaks of 42 and 52 would take Parrott 11-8 up, despite a revival to 11-10 from Griffiths, breaks of 78 and 81 would be enough to see Parrott through to a third successive semi-final, a 13-10 winner. In the last four he would meet bogeyman Davis, now favourite for a 7th world title.
The Thursday afternoon session saw Parrott open up a significant 5-2 lead, with a turning point being the third frame, won on a respot, and the fifth where an 80 break suddenly gave the 1989 runner up a 4-1 lead, a 44 helping round off the day nicely for the 26 year old. Parrott’s form improved in the second session, breaks of 40, 46 and 122 helping him go 9-2 up on the man who’d beaten him 18-3 in the final 24 months ago. A 52 set him up nicely for 10-2 but Davis replied with a 51 to go 9-3, and a 95 closing the gap to 9-4 but JP made breaks of 38, and 83 to ensure he held a 10-4 advantage entering the Friday evening session.
Breaks of 63 and 56 would help John increase his lead to 11-4, before the former champion responded, with runs of 59, 98 and 69 helping reduce the gap to 11-7. The interval coming probably at the right time for Parrott who moved to 12-7 with a 92 break and though Davis made it 12-8 with a 46, Breaks of 51, 34, and 79 would mean that Parrott would finish the session 4-4 and retain the six frame lead at 14-8. On the Saturday afternoon, Davis, now with a mountain to climb made breaks of 98 and 43 to close the gap to 14-10 but it was sensed he was awaiting the inevitable. Breaks of 86 and 64 allowing John to win 16-10 to go through to his second final.
His opponent in the final would be Jimmy White, who’d overcome Nick Dyson 10-3, Neal Foulds 13-12, Gary Wilkinson 13-3 and Steve James 16-9 to reach his third final. Many of White’s supporters were confident of victory declaring him the 1991 World Champion on the Saturday night. Most notably, White’s closest friend declaring that Parrott had no chance, not even with his best snooker.
Sunday afternoon saw John produce the session of his life, even with his admission that he’d hate to play himself in that sort of form. Breaks of 97, 75, 39, 43, 44, 88, 74 and 117 giving him the session 7-0 lead. White’ had scored 80 points in the seven frames, Parrott, 634. And White’s supporters firmly silenced.
Breaks of 44 and 43 of his own would finally get White off the mark but from 7-2 Parrott pulled away again, breaks of 33, 44, 70 and 88 increasing his lead to 10-2, leaving White to win 16 of the final 23 frames if he was to win the title at last. Breaks of 34, 71 and 55 would get White back to 10-5, but a 112, Parrott’s seventh century of the championship would ensure he went to bed with a commanding 11-5 lead overnight.
On the Monday afternoon, breaks of 34 and 92 would help Jimmy close the gap to 11-7, but when up and looking good to make it 11-8, a crucial miss would let Parrott in to steal the frame by a point to go 12-7, a 35 from White would make it 12-8, and 8 from 13 from 0-7 but it was commonly agreed he should have been 9-11 by now. A break of 36 capped off the next two for John at 14-8 before White made a 67 to close the gap to 14-9. P[arrott as he had in every session so far would have the final word, runs of 52 and 34 ensuring he levelled the session at 4-4 and retained a 15-9 lead going into the final session.
A 112, the eighth and final century from Parrott made it 16-9 before 45 and 58 helping the Whirlwind to go to 16-10. A 59 from JP would make it 17-10 before White would ensure the match went beyond the final session with a 38. However a break of 48 would ensure Parrott won 18-11, arguably securing the match with the seven frame advantage.
Parrott’s defence of the title in 1992 would begin with a 10-0 whitewash of Eddie Charlton, the only time in the history of the championship has been a 10-0 whitewash at the Crucible. A 13-4 win over Tony Knowles would take him into the last eight with only the third fewest frames dropped by a champion. Only Cliff Thorburn (two) and Stephen Hendry (three) – have dropped fewer – however in this case its important to remember that Thorburn played one match compared to the other’s two.
John’s last appearance at the Crucible would come in 2007, where a 10-9 win over Steve Davis before losing 13-8 to Murphy in round two. John’s retirement came at age 46 in 2010.
John Parrott’s Crucible Record
1984 (Q) – Rd2 13-11 v Dennis Taylor
1985 (Q) QF 13-12 v Ray Reardon
1986 (Q) Rd2 13-8 v Jimmy White
1987 (Q) Rd2 13-11 v Jimmy White
1988 (13) Rd2 13-11 v Cliff Thorburn
1989 (7) FINAL 18-3 v Steve Davis
1990 (2) SF 16-11 v Stephen Hendry
1991 (3) WINNER 18-11 v Jimmy White
1992 (1) QF 13-12 v Alan McManus
1993 (2) QF 13-6 v James Wattana
1994 (2) QF 13-11 v Darren Morgan
1995 (5) QF 13-11 v Jimmy White
1996 (4) Rd1 10-6 v Rod Lawler
1997 (4) QF 13-10 v James Wattana
1998 (6) QF 13-11 v John Higgins
1999 (6) QF 13-9 v Ronnie O’Sullivan
2000 (5) Rd2 13-12 v Joe Swail
2001 (10) Rd1 10-6 v Michael Judge
2002 (Q) Rd1 10-7 v Mark Williams
2003 (Q) Rd1 10-5 v Quinten Hann
2004 (Q) Rd1 10-7 v Paul Hunter
2005 failed to qualify
2006 (Q) Rd1 10-3 v Graeme Dott
2007 (Q) Rd2 13-8 v Shaun Murphy
Tomorrow, in the final of our look backs, we go to 1997 when Ken Doherty shocked Stephen Hendry to win the title.
Over the final days before the World Championship begins, I take a look back at each of them, in turn of their title.
Today we go back to 1991
JOHN PARROTT (1964-) Crucible Victory 1991
John Parrott came to the Crucible in 1991 as one of the top four seeds, all of whom were comfortably predicted to reach the semi-finals. Three of the four, White, Davis and Parrott would do so, whilst James upset the [party by eliminating Hendry 13-11 in the quarter-finals. Parrott’s record at the Crucible was steady, having never failed to win at least one match at the tournament each year. In 1989, he had reached the final, only exhausted by the emotional burden of carrying the city of Liverpool through some of its most emotional days, he lost 18-3 to Steve Davis. In 1990, by this time up to second in the rankings, he was again in the one table situation, before a 16-11 loss against Stephen Hendry would send him out.
Parrott, seeded third for the championship in 1991 would begin his campaign with a match against Nigel Gilbert. Breaks of 32, 34 and 131 helping to take a 3-1 lead at the interval, and after Gilbert reduced the gap to one frame, breaks of 95, 54 and 87 helped Parrott extend his lead to 6-3 at the end of the session. A break of 53 in the twelfth frame helped increase the lead to 8-4 after Gilbert had taken the opening frame. Breaks of 41, 52 and 30 helped the qualifier reduce the gap to two frames, and despite a 33 in the next, Parrott would able to move to 9-6 with a 43. Parrott from the three frame lead spent little time in securing the win to go through 10-6.
In round two, JP would meet Tony Knowles, who despite being ranked 2nd in the world five years ago had dropped down the ranking list and subsequently had been required to qualify for the tournament. A 10-8 win over John Virgo had taken him into the last 16, and the likelihood of returning to the last 16 in the rankings.
Parrott gave Knowles little room to manoeuvre throughout the match, a break of 79 quickly establishing a 2-0 lead, and though Knowles would be respondent with a 38, it would be his highest break as Parrott rattled in, 36, 64, 137 and 34 to go 7-1 up at the end of the session, and completed the rout in the second session with breaks of 57, 68, 36, 138, 40 and 69 to win through 13-1 and book his place in the later stages for the third year in succession.
His opponent at this stage of the tournament would be Terry Griffiths, now back to 6th in the world rankings. Terry had defeated two debutants to reach this stage, Barry Pinches 10-3 and Alan McManus 13-12. With confidence oozing after the performance in the last 16, JP moved 3-0 up with breaks of 79, 64, 32 and 60. After a Griffiths 49 helped get him onto the scoreboard, breaks of 30, 46, 42 and 30 would quickly extend the Liverpudlian’s lead to 5-1, before Griffiths closed the gap to 5-3 heading into Tuesday evening’s middle session. A 67 in the opening frame would make it 6-3 and though John looked set to go 7-3, a 51 from Griffiths would claw a frame back, the same happened in the next frame when a 47 helped Parrott look good for 7-4, only to now lead 6-5. A 94 helped restore the two frame lead at the interval but after the break, Griffiths breaks of 82 and 61 helped level the match up at 7-7. It would take breaks of 36 and 101 from the Englishman to restore the lead at 9-7 going into the Wednesday final session.
A break of 38 would give some breathing space, and a lead of 10-7 before breaks of 42 and 52 would take Parrott 11-8 up, despite a revival to 11-10 from Griffiths, breaks of 78 and 81 would be enough to see Parrott through to a third successive semi-final, a 13-10 winner. In the last four he would meet bogeyman Davis, now favourite for a 7th world title.
The Thursday afternoon session saw Parrott open up a significant 5-2 lead, with a turning point being the third frame, won on a respot, and the fifth where an 80 break suddenly gave the 1989 runner up a 4-1 lead, a 44 helping round off the day nicely for the 26 year old. Parrott’s form improved in the second session, breaks of 40, 46 and 122 helping him go 9-2 up on the man who’d beaten him 18-3 in the final 24 months ago. A 52 set him up nicely for 10-2 but Davis replied with a 51 to go 9-3, and a 95 closing the gap to 9-4 but JP made breaks of 38, and 83 to ensure he held a 10-4 advantage entering the Friday evening session.
Breaks of 63 and 56 would help John increase his lead to 11-4, before the former champion responded, with runs of 59, 98 and 69 helping reduce the gap to 11-7. The interval coming probably at the right time for Parrott who moved to 12-7 with a 92 break and though Davis made it 12-8 with a 46, Breaks of 51, 34, and 79 would mean that Parrott would finish the session 4-4 and retain the six frame lead at 14-8. On the Saturday afternoon, Davis, now with a mountain to climb made breaks of 98 and 43 to close the gap to 14-10 but it was sensed he was awaiting the inevitable. Breaks of 86 and 64 allowing John to win 16-10 to go through to his second final.
His opponent in the final would be Jimmy White, who’d overcome Nick Dyson 10-3, Neal Foulds 13-12, Gary Wilkinson 13-3 and Steve James 16-9 to reach his third final. Many of White’s supporters were confident of victory declaring him the 1991 World Champion on the Saturday night. Most notably, White’s closest friend declaring that Parrott had no chance, not even with his best snooker.
Sunday afternoon saw John produce the session of his life, even with his admission that he’d hate to play himself in that sort of form. Breaks of 97, 75, 39, 43, 44, 88, 74 and 117 giving him the session 7-0 lead. White’ had scored 80 points in the seven frames, Parrott, 634. And White’s supporters firmly silenced.
Breaks of 44 and 43 of his own would finally get White off the mark but from 7-2 Parrott pulled away again, breaks of 33, 44, 70 and 88 increasing his lead to 10-2, leaving White to win 16 of the final 23 frames if he was to win the title at last. Breaks of 34, 71 and 55 would get White back to 10-5, but a 112, Parrott’s seventh century of the championship would ensure he went to bed with a commanding 11-5 lead overnight.
On the Monday afternoon, breaks of 34 and 92 would help Jimmy close the gap to 11-7, but when up and looking good to make it 11-8, a crucial miss would let Parrott in to steal the frame by a point to go 12-7, a 35 from White would make it 12-8, and 8 from 13 from 0-7 but it was commonly agreed he should have been 9-11 by now. A break of 36 capped off the next two for John at 14-8 before White made a 67 to close the gap to 14-9. P[arrott as he had in every session so far would have the final word, runs of 52 and 34 ensuring he levelled the session at 4-4 and retained a 15-9 lead going into the final session.
A 112, the eighth and final century from Parrott made it 16-9 before 45 and 58 helping the Whirlwind to go to 16-10. A 59 from JP would make it 17-10 before White would ensure the match went beyond the final session with a 38. However a break of 48 would ensure Parrott won 18-11, arguably securing the match with the seven frame advantage.
Parrott’s defence of the title in 1992 would begin with a 10-0 whitewash of Eddie Charlton, the only time in the history of the championship has been a 10-0 whitewash at the Crucible. A 13-4 win over Tony Knowles would take him into the last eight with only the third fewest frames dropped by a champion. Only Cliff Thorburn (two) and Stephen Hendry (three) – have dropped fewer – however in this case its important to remember that Thorburn played one match compared to the other’s two.
John’s last appearance at the Crucible would come in 2007, where a 10-9 win over Steve Davis before losing 13-8 to Murphy in round two. John’s retirement came at age 46 in 2010.
John Parrott’s Crucible Record
1984 (Q) – Rd2 13-11 v Dennis Taylor
1985 (Q) QF 13-12 v Ray Reardon
1986 (Q) Rd2 13-8 v Jimmy White
1987 (Q) Rd2 13-11 v Jimmy White
1988 (13) Rd2 13-11 v Cliff Thorburn
1989 (7) FINAL 18-3 v Steve Davis
1990 (2) SF 16-11 v Stephen Hendry
1991 (3) WINNER 18-11 v Jimmy White
1992 (1) QF 13-12 v Alan McManus
1993 (2) QF 13-6 v James Wattana
1994 (2) QF 13-11 v Darren Morgan
1995 (5) QF 13-11 v Jimmy White
1996 (4) Rd1 10-6 v Rod Lawler
1997 (4) QF 13-10 v James Wattana
1998 (6) QF 13-11 v John Higgins
1999 (6) QF 13-9 v Ronnie O’Sullivan
2000 (5) Rd2 13-12 v Joe Swail
2001 (10) Rd1 10-6 v Michael Judge
2002 (Q) Rd1 10-7 v Mark Williams
2003 (Q) Rd1 10-5 v Quinten Hann
2004 (Q) Rd1 10-7 v Paul Hunter
2005 failed to qualify
2006 (Q) Rd1 10-3 v Graeme Dott
2007 (Q) Rd2 13-8 v Shaun Murphy
Tomorrow, in the final of our look backs, we go to 1997 when Ken Doherty shocked Stephen Hendry to win the title.
- PLtheRef
- Posts: 5067
- Joined: 20 December 2009
- Location: Sheffield
- Highest Break: 28
- Walk-On: Vangelis 1492 Conquest of Paradise