Davis edges marathon encounter

Steve Davis left it late before booking his place in the second round of the Embassy World Championship last night.

The clock was ticking round to midnight when the 80s legend finally defeated Gerard Greene 10-9.

It’s 20 years since Davis lost the most famous Crucible final of them all - his 18-17 defeat by Dennis Taylor.

But at the age of 47 he is still a major player, though he needs to beat Paul Hunter or Michael Holt in the second round to stay among the world’s top 16.

For all his experience Davis still suffers the jitters. He should have won 10-8 but missed a simple black when leading 28-1.

And he looked to have blown his chance in the decider when failing to sink the final red down a side cushion.

However, Greene was even more nervous and couldn’t accept his opportunities, running out of position on several occasions.

He also had to endure Davis fluking the final yellow; the moment he probably realised it wasn’t going to be his night.

Davis, though, deserves every credit for his performance. He trailed 5-3 during the first session and looked to have blown his chance when he squandered an 8-6 lead.

However, he held on to claim his first Crucible victory since 2000.

“Neither of us deserved to win it but I’m through to the next round,” he admitted.

“At the end it felt like a cross between a driving test and a dentist’s waiting room.”

Paul Hunter is halfway to the most emotional victory of his career after taking a 5-4 lead over Holt.

Hunter, diagnosed with cancer last month, carries the sentimental support of his native Yorkshire crowd and he repaid them with a fine performance against Crucible Theatre debutant Holt.

The 26-year-old Leeds-born professional now requires five of the remaining 10 frames to face Davis in the last 16.

“It was a great reception and I appreciate all the support I’m getting,” said Hunter whose wife Lyndsey was among the audience.

“He seems to be handling things quite well,” said Holt. “We had a bit of a chat and a laugh out there,” added the world number 29 from Nottingham.