Hendry

[Stunrunthru]

I missed most of the UK Champs on the tv as I was on holiday in India.

A friend recorded the final for me and I've watched the evening session today.

I must say Hendry's performance in that session was dismal. Probably the worst I've ever seen him play in a final.

All credit to Ebdon though. He played poorly in the first 4 frames of the evening but still managed to grind out all 4 frames to lead 8-4.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

'Century number 695 for Stephen Hendry' - Willie Thorne keeping count of the number of Stephen Hendry career tons.

[Rane]

In fact he suddently found his form and played well all the way to the final. There were glimpses of the old Hendry.

[Valderie]

In fact he suddently found his form and played well all the way to the final. There were glimpses of the old Hendry.

He was playing so well against Ronnie that it caused Ronnie to give up

[hegeland]

Wouldn't it be great if he won the Masters! Then I'd celebrate till daybreak.

[PaulTheSoave]

I did not expect it as he played Dott the night before in vintage Hendry form! to go 7-5 down and to win four in a row in style was a joy to watch. The afternoon session was holding a classic finale in prospect but it all was a bit of an anti climax. (did you spot me?).

I missed most of the UK Champs on the tv as I was on holiday in India.

A friend recorded the final for me and I've watched the evening session today.

I must say Hendry's performance in that session was dismal. Probably the worst I've ever seen him play in a final.

All credit to Ebdon though. He played poorly in the first 4 frames of the evening but still managed to grind out all 4 frames to lead 8-4.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

'Century number 695 for Stephen Hendry' - Willie Thorne keeping count of the number of Stephen Hendry career tons.

[Valderie]

I did not expect it as he played Dott the night before in vintage Hendry form! to go 7-5 down and to win four in a row in style was a joy to watch. The afternoon session was holding a classic finale in prospect but it all was a bit of an anti climax. (did you spot me?).

Certainly did Paul - you were doing your 'Benny Hill' impression behind Hazel Irvine!

[hegeland]

(did you spot me?).

We did.

http://www.buymyphotos.co.uk/index.p...8061&g2_page=1

http://www.buymyphotos.co.uk/index.p...geViewsIndex=1

Copyright member "PGallagher69"

[david16]

Hendry cannot really sustain vintage A form of the 1990's for any more than 4 to 5 frames now, nor as consistently.

And when he doesn't turn a good early start into an emphatic lead i.e 3-1 to 5-1, he gets irritated with himself too easily, and loses his way altogether showing impatience and he pannicks, conceding his advantage and being overtaken all too quickly in the process.

Why the surprise Hendry wasn't 8-1 up over Ebdon end of the 1st session of the final? I can't remember the last time Hendry demolished top class opposition in a major final with sustained vintage snooker throughout.

Hendry relied on consistent A form vintage to produce the spectacular success he did in the 1990's. With it being less consistent and less sustained nowadays it was inevitable he's going to be nowhere near as successful as he was, especially now where there's far fewer mugs floating about in draws than in the past.

It's a shame, but sadly we are going to have to accept that it's the sign of the times that we are going to be seeing a lot more of these type of performances from Hendry or not Hendry vintage now, and not just in finals.

What you once took for granted as spectacular overwhelming Hendry success of regular UK, Masters and World Champs trophies with a couple of 5-in-a-row's thrown in for good measure, it is now a great achievement when he makes a big final or wins a ranking title of any description. That's how much things have changed over the past few years.

[Wim]

I largely agree with you David16. You can't expect aging sportmen to stay at their top level for ever. This is so in every sport (and life), nothing to be ashamed of. But for players like Hendry and certainly Davis we should have the most of respect. They don't have to play for the money anymore. Hendry is still a great champion capable of winning torunaments but it is not garanteed anymore like it used to be. And Davis, certainly limited by his age, well this is very classy of him defying the young players without being pathetic.