20.10.09

THE INTERNATIONAL ELEVEN #9

PERRIE MANS (South Africa)

Years as professional: 1970-1987
Ranking titles: 0
Ranking finals: 1
Other titles: 2
Highest ranking: 2
Years in top 16: 7
Crucible appearances: 8

Mans was a terrific single ball potter possessing considerable cue power but not a great breakbuilder, as was evidenced in one of his finest hours.

He won the Masters in 1979, the first to be held at Wembley Conference Centre, but did not make a half century break during the whole tournament.

It is pretty much unthinkable now that anyone would win a match in the Masters without registering a 50, never mind the whole thing.

Mans defeated Cliff Thorburn, Ray Reardon and Alex Higgins – three great scalps – to win the title.

The previous year he had reached the World Championship final at the Crucible, memorably edging the 64 year-old Fred Davis 18-16 in the semi-finals having already knocked out defending champion John Spencer.

Reardon was to deny him 25-18 in the final.

Mans’s father, Peter, was a professional in the post war years, reaching the 1950 World Championship quarter-finals.

Mans was a 19 times South African champion and headed back home after he retired from the professional circuit in 1987.

He played in Seniors Pot Black in 1997 and appeared at Wembley for the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Masters in 1999.

13 comments:

JAMIE O'REILLY said...

Hi David. On top of all these great names, what about the likes of, Former China Open, U.K. Championship and Nothern Ireland Trophy champion, Ding Junhui. Formr Grand Prix champion and last season's U.K. Championship finalist, Marco Fu, and twice former Thailand Open Champion, James Wattana?

JAMIE O'REILLY said...

Will the great names i mentioned previously, come later in the list?

Anonymous said...

A year or two ago he seemed to run an equipment company in Joburg with his son. There is a typo at the end he played in 'Seniors Pot Black' rather than Pot Blak.

jamie brannon said...

It is in some ways impressive that Mans won without a fifty break, but what does it say about the standard?

John H said...

What a great name Perrie Mans was - a remarkable potter indeed and a much better tactician than he is normally given credit for. I remember his final appearance at the crucible in 86. He played poorly but such was his craft that he was unlucky to lose the first session 6-3. He possessed such a wonderful quality of preventing other players from producing their best - something todays players could learn a lot from! I remember him destroying Steve Davis in the Masters (when Steve was world champion). I fear many people today fail to appreciate how good these players were when at their peak.

Dave H said...

Yes some aspects of snooker were more skillful then, although today's top players are more skilled at break building

JAMIE O'REILLY said...

I know that Perrie Mans won the 1979 Wembley Masters, Thereby becoming the 1st player to win it at Wembley. I know he did not have a single 50 or above break in that event. What was his Highest break in the event? I ask this, having recalled Steve Davis say it was 48. Is this corect David?

Dave H said...

I did look it up not so long ago.

I think it was 49.

JAMIE O'REILLY said...

Cheers mate.

Anonymous said...

The tables were much harder to play on in them days. Unlike today's tables with the ultra fine cloth break's are made more easier for professional player's.

Anonymous said...

@Jamie: the idea of a ranking list I believe is to go through it 1 at a time.

@Anon5.57: I disagree there. Yes the cloths may make breakbuilding slightly easier, however, great skill is still absolutely needed. Tables are much faster, pockets tigher, etc, etc.

Anonymous said...

Grammar is also easier for today's commentators, yet some still fail.

Anonymous said...

7:38am tighter pockets is this a joke? I've seen some pots go in recently that were almost laughable.