JIMMY WINS UK CHAMPIONSHIPS (SENIORS)

Jimmy White has won the UK Seniors Championship after a 4-2 triumph over Ken Doherty in the final on Thursday.

Jimmy also beat Les Dodd in the quarter-finals. Photo credit: Monique Limbos

Victory for the “Whirlwind” comes on the 25th anniversary of his biggest ever ranking event win as a professional at the 1992 UK Championship in Preston.

The 55 year-old was understandably a very popular champion, both in front of the big crowd in Surrey and also across social media where he received plenty of congratulatory messages.

White began the final day with a cagey 3-1 success over Jonathan Bagley, the only qualifier to reach the last four of the competition, while Doherty, many people’s pre-tournament favourite, comfortably dispatched of Stephen Hendry 3-0 in a repeat of their 1994 UK final.

Doherty had compiled a brace of centuries, including a terrific 137 total clearance, in a superb quarter-final win against Patrick Wallace on Wednesday but couldn’t quite replicate that form in a mostly low-scoring final showdown.

The opening four frames were shared, with the Irishman knocking in a 61 in the fourth to tie the game up and set up a potentially nail-biting finish.

However, White controlled the last two frames to avoid what would have been a dramatic black-ball decider had the scores reached 3-3.

With the success, the 2010 World Seniors champion receives a replica of the old UK Championship trophy from the 1970s and 1980s as well as pocketing the £7,500 winner’s cheque.

Thanks to Monique Limbos for the picture!