No match has been more scrutinized, written about or been the subject of great reminiscence that Dennis Taylor’s 18-17 black ball win over Steve Davis in the 1985 World Championship final. The circumstances were indeed astounding.

Davis, an all-conquering automaton, looked certain to win the event for the third year in succession when he built an 8-0 lead but, against all expectations, the tide turned.

By the end of the first day of the final, Davis led only 9-7 and remained two frames to the good at 17-15. Still, Taylor, beaten by Terry Griffiths in the 1979 Crucible final, refused to accept second best again.

The country was captivated by the brave struggle of the underdog in specially designed spectacles and the deciding frame, a nail chewer that lasted 68 minutes, attracted a peak audience of 18.5 million. It remains the largest after midnight viewing figure in the history of British television.

At 12.19 a.m. Davis over cut the black to a blind top corner pocket and Taylor, who seconds earlier thought he had wasted his chance, held his nerve under excruciating pressure to pot it.

Taylor was ecstatic, Davis inconsolable. A few days later he was back in Sheffield to fulfil an exhibition engagement and, on driving past the Crucible, felt physically sick.

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