1973 Men of the Midlands

The 1973 Men of the Midlands was a professional invitational snooker tournament, that took place in January and February 1973 The tournament was won by Alex Higgins, who defeated Ray Reardon 5–3 in the final.

1973 Men of the Midlands
Tournament information
DatesJanuary – February 1973
Venuevarious
CountryEngland
FormatNon-ranking event
Winner's share£500
Final
Champion Alex Higgins (NIR)
Runner-up Ray Reardon (WAL)
Score5–3
1972
Last →

The competition featured a round-robin group stage, with four world snooker champions, John Pulman, John Spencer, Reardon and Higgins each playing the other three once.[1] Reardon finished on top of the group table.[2]

In the final, Higgins won the first frame, making a break of 47, and Reardon won the next making a break of 45. Higgins won the next to lead 3–1. Reardon won the fifth frame, but Higgins achieved victory by winning the sixth frame with a break of 70 and going on to take the match 5–3.[2]

The tournament was sponsored by Mitchells and Butlers.[1] Higgins earned £500 prize money as champion.[3]

Final

edit

[3]

Final: Best-of-9 frames.
Whispering Wheels Club, Wolverhampton, 5 February 1973
Alex Higgins
 
5–3 Ray Reardon
 
Frame 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Alex Higgins 75 56 75 82 31 82 49 86
Ray Reardon 5 58 48 38 77 39 72 52
Frames won (Higgins first) 1–0 1–1 2–1 3–1 3–2 4–2 4–3 5–3
Alex Higgins wins the 1973 Men of the Midlands title

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Spencer puts on style". Coventry Evening Telegraph. Coventry. 25 January 1973. p. 50.
  2. ^ a b "Higgins too hot for Ray". Belfast Telegraph. Belfast. 6 February 1973. p. 17.
  3. ^ a b "Higgins takes Men of Midlands title". Birmingham Daily Post. Birmingham. 6 February 1973. p. 25.