Updated at 22:10
MARK WILLIAMS FOUGHT off a stunning comeback from John Higgins to claim his third world snooker crown and at 43 become the oldest champion since Ray Reardon 40 years ago.
The Welshman won a gripping final 18-16 to add to his titles in 2000 and 2003.
Higgins, 42 and seeking a fifth title, fought back from a seven-frame deficit on Sunday to draw level at 15-15, but Williams held on to take the sport’s showcase event 71-0 in the 34th frame.
Much has changed...
— World Snooker (@WorldSnooker1) May 7, 2018
🏆 2000
🏆 2003
🏆 2018@markwil147 beats Higgins 18-16 to win his third world title - 15 years after his last!#ilovesnooker @Betfred pic.twitter.com/ZCAngQ9MkZ
It capped a remarkable late-career revival as he did not even qualify for the championships in 2017, and last reached the final 15 years ago, when he defeated Ken Doherty.
“Last year I watched this in a caravan having some beers. I just can’t believe it. Last year I was seriously thinking of giving up” Williams told the BBC.
He was 15-10 up, three frames away from the title, after Monday’s afternoon session having started the day 10-7 up following Sunday’s opening exchange.
He stormed seven frames clear when taking Monday’s first four frames but Higgins fought back to avoid heading home early.
Higgins said: “Today I was 13-7 behind and I was worried if I would take it to the fourth session, I didn’t want to lose with a session to spare.
“It was a good match to watch but obviously I’m disappointed. He is a great champion.”
The two fortysomethings received a standing ovation at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre as they emerged for the concluding evening session.
And Higgins had the captivated crowd on the edge of their seats as he compiled a stunning 131 break after a costly error by Williams to take the 27th frame to make it 15-11.
That was the Scot’s fourth century in the final.
It's the World Championship final...
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) May 7, 2018
And @markwil147 is playing shots WITH HIS EYES CLOSED 😲 #EurosportSnooker pic.twitter.com/fX99KzHcVw
And he clawed back to within three frames when taking the next. Williams then seemingly had it for the taking, but another mistake at 58-1 saw Higgins return to the table with a clearance of 67.
Snooker great Steve Davis, a six-time world champion and commentating now for the BBC, said Higgins had “thrown a hand grenade into Mark Williams’ brain” with those two quickfire frames.
And so it proved as he rattled a red around the jaws of a pocket to let Higgins in with a chance at 47-0.
Showing nerves of steel Higgins nicked the frame with a break of 82. A pensive Williams, biting his lip, could only sit and suffer, his lead now cut to two.
Higgins steamrollered the next 91-0 to leave the final tantalisingly poised at 15-14 as the players took a 10 minute time out.
After a much needed break, the two veteran stars of the green baize resumed hostilities, with ice-cool Higgins drawing level at 15-15.
Williams finally stopped Higgins’s miraculous march to take the 31st and 32nd frames to leave ‘the Welsh potting machine’ just one shy of the greatest prize in the sport.
Williams was one pot away from victory but he missed a pink in the next. Higgins, 63-0 behind, yet again defied the odds to steal the frame with a clearance of 65 and get back to within one.
But Williams wasn’t to be denied, sealing the championship in the next frame in what Davis called “the best final ever”.
Williams is the oldest world champion since his fellow countryman Reardon won in 1978 at the age of 45.
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Would be great for the league of Ireland if they progresed
FH looked an average loi team who got a goal against the run of play last week. We were the better team but they might have been keeping it tight.. but if they play like they did last wed and we play like we can then we will advance.. i firmly believe we will score tonight. Garts is a massive loss in the centre of defence but barrett is a good replacement… we are playing FH for €1.2m and a guaranteed 4 more games minimum in Europe.
Who’s we ?!
“We”… Are Ireland’s number one. The Black & White army.
Not doubting you. They really are Ireland’s number 1. Just asked for the craic because my uncle always mocks me when I use ‘we’ when talking about cork city lol
Massive game for Fundalk given the money at stake , great for the town and club . Really well run club these days with a super manager leading the team. Cmon da town !!
Get the name right pal. They’re fun to watch but I wouldn’t go that far
Says the plastic Irish supporter. Take down that Irish cover photo please if your not willing to support your own Irish league.
I’m supporting them no doubt.
Disappointed there isn’t a LIVE ticker thread for this game. It’s only the champions of Ireland playing in the world’s most lucrative competition. RTE not broadcasting it is a disgrace. And they claim to be supporters of domestic football. (Yes I know it’s on Eir Sport).
Dundalk playing some nice football here, they’ve been the better team so far, unlucky to be behind. Horgan & McMillan are doing very well. They’re just lacking a bit of composure in the final third.
Still nothing up about the match tonight disgraceful from the 42
And still nothing. Surely a live ticker wasn’t beyond them. They are the champions of Ireland and our only representatives in champions league. Fair dues to Eir for covering it, super game and even better performance from Dundalk.