Veteran Davis bows out of Masters

AFTER 22 years, three titles and hundreds of memories Steve Davis has played his final match at the Benson and Hedges Masters at Wembley.

Snooker legend Davis walked out of the Wembley Conference Centre arena for the last time last night following his latest defeat by Scotsman John Higgins.

But while his involvement in the tournament came to an end after a 6-2 defeat Davis does not intend yet to bring the curtain down on his glittering career.

“I have taken some of Benson and Hedges’ prize money and all their hospitality and enjoyed every minute of it,” said the 45-year-old Essex great after his second round exit.

“It’s been a great era of snooker,” added Davis, whose first B&H appearance in 1981 was a less than memorable 5-3 defeat by South African Perrie Mans.

“In my heart I think this year could be the last time any of us plays at the Conference Centre.

“Venues can be synonymous with sponsors and if we happen to get a new sponsor for the Masters they might not want to stage it here.

“I’ve certainly jumped up a division in the last few seasons,” added Davis, on the verge of regaining his place in the world’s top 16 next season after climbing to 12th on the provisional rankings.

That would normally guarantee his participation in the Masters rather than relying on a sponsor’s wild card like this year.

However, the Government ban on tobacco sponsorship means B&H can’t extend their 29-year patronage of the tournament in 2004. But Davis will carry on cueing. “Fifty might be a natural time to stop. I don’t know,” he said as Higgins qualified for a quarter-final on Friday afternoon against UK champion Mark Williams.

Higgins was only five when Davis came to Wembley for the first time. “I was probably in short pants and playing with building blocks then,” said the 27-year-old after his 20th win in 25 meetings against Davis.

Higgins only momentarily let slip his grip on his first Masters victory since lifting the trophy in 1999.

He led 3-0 with breaks of 41, 44, 50 and 43 before Davis rolled back the years with runs of 86 and 104.

Any hopes of a further recovery were quickly dashed as Higgins fired in 87 to go 4-2 up. Davis did his best to extend his Wembley career but lost two tactical frames to bow out.