Search for
Search for
Search forLegend Davis eager to sample baize buzz at Pavilions
Thursday, October 23, 2008, 09:35
Six-time world champion Steve Davis (pictured left) faces the current holder of the title, Ronnie O'Sullivan, in the 2008 PartyPoker.com Premier League at the Pavilions tonight.
Davis, also the world's number one on seven occasions, is part of a Sky-televised line-up which sees another world champion, Stephen Hendry, take on Joe Perry.
He said: "There's some good players in the competition and snooker appears to be well supported in Plymouth.
"A one-off tournament like this has a positive effect on the game."
Davis said that he believed that the Premier League when it first started was not held in such regard as it is now.
The total prize money fund is £250,000, with the champion taking home £50,000.
Players can win part of the pot for achievements such as highest break.
Davis has not had the greatest start in the Premier League so far, suffering a 6-0 reverse against Mark Selby.
But despite the fact that Davis perhaps isn't the force he once was, he is making it clear that he will not be hanging up his cue any time soon.
"Even after 30 years in the game – I turned professional in September, 1978 – I still enjoy the challenge of playing in tournaments.
"I do find the game hard, for a variety of reasons. As you get older, the tension gets a bit harder to deal with.
"And I think players are more proficient now than they were when I started."
Davis added: "I have had a couple of moments when I wonder why I'm playing when things haven't been going so well.
"But, to be quite honest, snooker's my life and as long as I enjoy that challenge – and who wouldn't enjoy the challenge of playing Ronnie – I want to keep playing.
"It's not as like I'm a boxer and I'm getting battered about and there's really no reason why I shouldn't keep going."
O'Sullivan, the current Premier League champion with an unbroken run of league titles since 2005, is taking nothing for granted against Davis.
He said: "I haven't had the best start, having won one, lost one and drawn one, but the league is a marathon not a sprint.
"I've always enjoyed playing in Plymouth, going back to the days when the British Open was staged here.
"Steve is still a wily old campaigner so I won't be taking anything for granted.
"He has always been a player I have looked up to and he always gives 100 per cent."
Meanwhile, Pavilions staff have warned that they expect a last-minute rush for tickets for tonight's matches.
Pavilions spokesman Robert Maltby said: "We are very excited about tonight's snooker, the now annual event always has a great atmosphere and the fans really get into it.
"It may be on TV, however, you can't beat the buzz you get of actually been in the crowd and a part of this exciting event.
"We still have tickets available to purchase tonight. However, as with many sporting events we expect a last minute rush just before it kicks off at 7.30pm, so it might be worth contacting our box office soon rathern than later."
The Pavilions box office can be contacted on 0845 146 1460.
Personal Injury Specialists. No Win No Fee, As Seen On TV.
Pet Insurance- 5% Online Discount
UK Pet Insurance. Buy instantly online. From just £4.85 per month.
Get Free Wiis, Ps3s, Laptops Or 11 Months Free On 12 Month Deals.
Comment on this story