White hoping to "eat up" old rival Davis (From Essex County Standard)

White hoping to "eat up" old rival Davis

3:20pm Thursday 21st March 2013 in Sport By Matt Plummer

JIMMY White has vowed to “eat up” Steve Davis when the pair renew their rivalry in Colchester.

The duo are set to meet as part of the hugely-popular Snooker Legends tour, which calls in at Charter Hall on May 15.

Canadian Cliff Thorburn and the ligntning-fast Tony Drago will also be on the bill, where they will be joined by host and commentator John Virgo and referee Michaela Tabb.

But for snooker fans who grew up in the 1980s, all eyes will be on the big rematch between 1984 World Championship finalists White and Davis.

Fans’ favourite White remembers some titanic battles between the pair during the sport’s heyday.

And despite far less being at stake these days, he still has a very healthy rivalry with his former nemesis.

“Steve Davis is Steve Davis,” said the Tooting-born Whirlwind, who has played professional snooker for more than three decades, winning 23 professional titles, including ten ranking successes, and competing in six World Championships finals.

“For me, he remains the hardest opponent there’s ever been.

“Other have been great break-builders, like Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins.

“But Steve had the complete, all-round game and he and I had some unbelievable battles down the years.

“We’ve still got a healthy rivalry and I’ll be hoping to eat him up when we play in Colchester.”

White has happy memories of playing in Colchester, having made various appearances down the years - including a visit for the Premier League, broadcast live on Sky TV, in January 2005.

And he believes snooker fans will be in for a treat on May 15.

In addition to singles matches and frames involving fans, there will be a doubles contest between White and Thorburn and Davis and Drago.

Two audience members can also win a cue in a raffle, in addition to playing in a frame of doubles with one of the legends.

“I love these nights and am looking forward to coming back to Colchester,” said White, who reached the World Championship final five years in a row from 1990 to 1994.

“I’ve been playing pro-am events there since the beginning of my career, so it’s somewhere that brings back memories.

“It should be a particularly great night on the 15th.

“The Snooker Legends tour has gone from strength to strength.

“It started out with just a few of us but it’s grown and grown.

“In addition to the matches involving Steve and I, fans will also enjoy seeing Cliff Thorburn and Tony Drago.

“Tony is someone I practice with and he’s still one of the fastest and most exciting players around.

“They’re always really great nights and everyone - the audience and players - has real fun.

“It’s a chance for fans to see some serious, competitive snooker but there are also plenty of light-hearted moments and lots of audience participation.”

While the winners and losers on the night may still be unknown, one thing can already be guaranteed - a rapturous welcome for White.

The 50-year-old remains a firm favourite and the people’s champion.

“I’ve always appreciated the support I get from snooker fans,” he said.

“It means the world to me and I’ve always been very grateful to do something I love for a living.

“It’s an absolute honour if ever anyone wants to talk to me or asks for an autograph and I’ll look forward to meeting more fans in Colchester.”