White Draws Doherty in World Seniors

Jimmy White and Ken Doherty have been drawn to play each other in the last 16 of the 2015 World Seniors Championship.

The ‘Whirlwind’, winner of 2010 edition, takes on his good Irish friend, who will be taking part in the oldies tournament for the first time.

Both will probably be bemoaning their luck to have been paired with each other so early on as they are two of only a few players who still ply their trade on the Main Tour.

The (too) short best of three format will ensure that a quick start is of the absolute essence when the duo do battle on March 2nd in Blackpool.

Former world champions Mark Williams and Peter Ebdon are also making their debut and will await one of the five qualifiers who will emerge from a separate competition to be staged next week.

Defending champion Steve Davis and the player he beat to lift last year’s trophy Nigel Bond also must wait to find out their opponent, as does 1986 world champion Joe Johnson.

2011 Seniors winner Darren Morgan, meanwhile, faces Dennis Taylor while 1991 Crucible king John Parrott will return to the green baize in a bout with Canadian Cliff Thorburn.

The Seniors has generally been a slightly more light-hearted affair than the regular events on the calendar but that is not to say that it wont be fiercely contested.

With £18,000 up for grabs for whoever emerges triumphant, you can be sure that there will be enough effort put in to try to claim the trophy.

Now in its fifth year, the championship is open to players who will be aged over 40 prior to the campaign’s conclusion.

Whether this will be a positive or negative change from the previous over-45 rule remains to be seen, but it seems too young.

Indeed, this time next year Ronnie O’Sullivan will be able to compete and that would simply be ridiculous.

The whole point originally was to give the old guard an opportunity to showcase their skills in front of a big crowd and on TV for one weekend a year.

Now, it is in danger of losing the aura that made it a generally likable and fun tournament.