If you're a snooker fan the Hendry v White rivalry is one of the most compelling in the history of the sport. Davis v Hendry, Higgins v Davis, Reardon v Spencer are examples of some of the others. As a Jimmy White fan from a very young age, and in recent years a friend of "the Wind" it is a rivalry that has caused much heartache down the years. Combining my knowledge with books, magazines and stats from the web. I would like to revisit the history of the rivalry with the latest chapter just around the corner.
The four World finals is of course what the rivalry is most famous for, but until we get there, we have to travel back 24 years to 1986. Hendry's in his second professional season, White fresh from his first World ranking title victory in the Mercantile Credit Classic, there first world ranking tournament meeting at the Grand Prix, Jimmy wins 5-4.
There first Crucible meeting came 2 years later in 1988. In a second round encounter, that is regarded by many snooker fans as one of the greatest of all time. 19 year old Hendry versus a 25 year old White, both young attacking players and both destined to be World Champions. The match went all the way down to the wire and thrilled the Crucible audience and TV audience alike, trading frame winning clearances, the match featured hardly any safety play, before Jimmy went on to win 13-12. I've found the 24th frame on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHNGejnPyks
The pair met in a Masters semi-final at the Wembley Conference Centre in the early part of 1990 and sadly not the only time Jimmy lost in front of his home crowd 6-4. Now just a few months later, Jimmy's in his 2nd World Championship final in 6 years, he's beaten Steve Davis in an epic semi-final 16-14, but by all accounts Jimmy's safety game wasn't there in the final and Hendry becomes the youngest World Champ winning 18-12.
Later on in 1990 Hendry & White meet in another final the World Matchplay at Brentwood, Jimmy exacts slight revenge with a great performance beating Hendry 18-9, here's the closing stages of the final frame http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB5WQ5-LUI0
Another Masters semi-final, this time 1991 and Hendry's in devastating form this time breezing past the "Whirlwind" 6-1. Still in 1991 and this time at the UK Championship in Preston it's a semi-final, Jimmy wins comfortably 9-2 with a great performance.
1992 now and it's a third Masters semi-final, a close encounter this time but still no victory for Jimmy, Hendry wins 6-4.
Brace yourself, it's the 1992 World Championship, Jimmy White becomes the second player in history to make a 147 break at the Crucible, he does this during his 1st round match against the "Tornado" Tony Drago http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ifZglGgKGIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ifZglGgKGI he's having perhaps his most successful season, surely this is his year, this is the moment, at the end of the first day's play on his 30th birthday he looks in devastating form. Into the 4th session and he's 14-8 in front of Stephen Hendry. When White was 12-6 up BBC commentator Clive Everton said "Surely he's going to win it now". What happened next was, as much as it pains me to say it amazing, the mark of a true champion 14-8 down, Hendry reels off ten straight frames to win 18-14 here's the final frame http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd6O7jNLEQc
The 1993 World Championship final is a completely different story, I don't know and can't find anything about it other than it ended with a session to spare Hendry won 18-5.
1994 World Championship final, like the '92 final this was a classic. I was only 5 at the time, so I can't remember watching it but I've seen it since. Of course it is known for that black. Everytime I watch it I can't believe it, but Jimmy missed a black, off it's spot which would have given him the win, but he missed it. Hendry wins the World Championship for the 4th time and for a 4th time against Jimmy White with a scoreline 18-17. In his post match interview when David Vine says to Jimmy "What else can I say other than happy birthday?" Jimmy answers "He's beginning to annoy me!" here's the closing stages of the final frame http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fm3yIi5gfA
Hendry and White met again in the 1995 World Championship semi-final. Hendry is victorious again winning 16-12 making a 147 along the way http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8Hj3BUpyIE
1996 Masters quarter-final Hendry whitewashes Jimmy 6-0.
1998 World Championship 1st round If only I could find some video footage of this match. This was the first year Jimmy had to qualify for the World Championship, he draws Stephen Hendry in the 1st round. Jimmy fans are thinking oh no not again, Hendry and his fans are thinking he we go. It's Jimmy's best ever Crucible performance, and as a 9 year old. I was amazed, vintage Jimmy. Final score Stephen Hendry 4-10 Jimmy White.
That trouncing must have annoyed Stephen because he won the next 4 meetings
2001 Masters quarter-final 6-4
2002 Welsh Open 2nd round 5-1
2003 Masters quarter-final 6-4
2004 Welsh Open 2nd round 5-3
2004 Masters 1st round Jimmy was enjoying a comeback to form, suddenly he was back in the top 8 in the world and he was getting to the business end of tournaments, and he finally beats Hendry at the Masters 6-4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43Sawl0C-pU
Now they have been drawn against each other in the 1st round of the 2010 UK Championship in Telford. Jimmy has had to win 3 qualifying matches, which he did beating Adam Wicheard 9-1, Adrian Gunnell 9-4 and Joe Perry 9-6. Jimmy has also enjoyed a good start to the season, and just a few weeks ago he won the inaugral World seniors Championship in Bradford. A tournament which featured over 50 players at the start aged 40+, a tournament Hendry withdrew from because, despite being almost 42 he doesn't consider himself a senior, should Hendry lose he will not be in the top 16.
Jimmy has already made the final stages of the World Open but lost 3-1 to Ronnie O'Sullivan an12d his feeling supremely confident, Hendry is fighting for his top 16 place. All in all it is shaped up to be a classic the first session is at 12:30pm on Sunday 5th December and played to a finish at 12:30pm on Monday 6th December. It will be live on the BBC red button, Eurosport and www.bbc.co.uk/snooker
