John Spencer takes on Jackie Rea in this, the first episode of BBC Pot Black.
Eight top professionals compete for the 1978 Pot Black Trophy and the first prize of £1,000. Former Pot Black Champions: John Spencer Eddie Charlton (Australia) Ray Reardon , Graham Miles plus Cliff Thorburn (Canada) Doug Mountjoy , Dennis Taylor Alex' Hurricane ' Higgins. Eric Morecambe makes the draw for the series and tonight's game in Group One.
BBC2's International Snooker Championship enters its 15th series. Eight star professionals play for the 1983 Pot Black Trophy. Tonight's Group 1 game features two former World Champions-Steve Davis (London) v Ray Reardon (Wales) Group 1 STEVE DAVIS , RAY REARDON KIRK STEVENS and WILLIE THORNE Group 2 ALEX HIGGINS , TONY KNOWLES EDDIE CHARLTON and JIMMY WHITE
The second frame in the series of 15 programmes for the 1983 Pot Black trophy. Featuring in Group 2: Alex Higgins (N. Ireland), the reigning World Champion against Tony Knowles (Bolton), 1982 Jameson International Champion. Pot Black is one of the few titles ALEX ' 'HURRICANE' HIGGINS has yet to win. TONY KNOWLES - a quarter-finalist in the 1982 World Championship-makes his first appearance in the competition.
The third frame in the series of 15 programmes for the 1983 Pot Black Trophy. Featuring in Group 1: Kirk Stevens (Canada) v Willie Thorne (Leicester) Both players reached the quarter-finals of the 1982 World Championship - WILLIE THORNE 'S break of 143 was the highest in that tournament.
The fourth frame in the series of 15 programmes for the Pot Black Trophy. Featuring in Group 2: Eddie Charlton (Australia) v Jimmy White (London) 'STEADY' EDDIE, three-times winner of Pot Black, meets the former World Amateur Champion jimmy 'WHIRLWIND' WHITE who is making his debut in the competition.
The fifth frame in the series of 15 programmes for the,1983 Pot Black Trophy. " Featuring in Group 1 Steve Davis (London) the defending Pot Black Champion against Kirk Stevens (Canada) The second game for both players in the qualifying round. They last met in Pot Black two years ago when Davis was the winner.
The sixth frame, featuring in Group 2 Alex Higgins (Northern Ireland) the reigning World Champion v Eddie Charlton (Australia) three-times Pot Black champion. Charlton has won his first frame, but Higgins has yet to score a victory.
The seventh frame for the 1983 Pot Black Trophy. Featuring in Group 1: Ray Reardon (Wales) beaten finalist in the 1982 World Championship against Willie Thorne (Leicester) a quarter-finalist in the 1982 World Championship Thorne, successful against Kirk Stevens in his first game, now meets the most experienced player in the series. Reardon won the first Pot Black Trophy in 1969!
The seventh frame for the 1983 Pot Black Trophy. Featuring in Group 2: Tony Knowles (Bolton), 1982 Jameson International Champion, against Jimmy White (London), former World and England Amateur Champion. A north v south tussle between two of snooker's youngest and brightest stars.
The ninth frame Featuring in Group 1: Steve Davis (London), 1981 World Champion and defending Pot Black Champion, against Willie Thorne (Leicester) a quarter-finalist in the 1982 World Championship. Davis won against Ray Reardon and lost to Kirk Stevens , whereas Thorne has beaten Kirk Stevens and lost to Ray Reardon !
The tenth frame for the 1983 Pot Black Trophy Featuring in Group 2 : Alex Higgins (Northern Ireland) the reigning World Champion against Jimmy White (London) former World Amateur Champion Two World champions meet for the first time on Pot Black -the ' Hurricane ' and the ' Whirlwind Higgins beat White by just one frame in the 1982 World Championship semi-finals.
The llth frame for the 1983 Pot Black Trophy Featuring in Group 1: Ray Reardon (Wales) beaten finalist in the 1982 World Championship against Kirk Stevens (Canada), a quarter-finalist in the 1982 World Championship. In the last game in the group, a former world champion meets a former Canadian champion. Reardon is unbeaten so far and Stevens needs a win to have a chance of reaching the semi-finals.
The 12th frame for the 1983 Pot Black Trophy. Featuring in Group 2: Tony Knowles (Bolton), 1982 Jameson International Champion against Eddie Charlton (Australia), three-times Pot Black Champion. Their first meeting on Pot Black and their last chance to qualify for the semi-finals!
The first semi-final for the 1983 Pot Black trophy, played over two frames, featuring Steve Davis (London) 1981 World Champion and defending Pot Black Champion against Jimmy White (London) former World Amateur Champion and 1982 World Championship semi-finalist. The first time that Davis and White have met on Pot Black-and in a semi-final! Tonight's winner meets Ray Reardon or Eddie Charlton in the Grand Final.
The second semi-final for the 1983 Pot Black trophy. Ray Reardon fo Wales takes on Eddie Charlton of Australia - three times winner of the championship. Reardon has won two and is looking for a third victory
The Grand Final. The BBC snooker tourney reaches its crown.