World Snooker Championship successive title. There were 48 century breaks during the final stages, a new record. In the first round of 1997 championship Ronnie O'Sullivan made the fastest maximum break in snooker history, taking just 5 minutes and 20 seconds. The final was between Stephen Hendry and Irishman Ken Doherty. Doherty led 15–7 before Hendry won 5 frames in a row. Doherty then won the next three frames to win 18–12, ending Hendry's winning run of 29 consecutive matches. Stephen Hendry lost to Jimmy White in the first round of the 1998 championship. Doherty reached the final again meeting 22-year-old John Higgins.
1930 World Snooker Championship break in the second frame of the day. Sources: 1930 World Snooker Championship The 1930 World Snooker Championship was a snooker tournament played in various locations throughout the season. The final was held at the Thurston's Hall in London, England from 19 to 23 May. Joe Davis won his fourth World title by defeating Tom Dennis 25–12. Davis made a 79 break in the final, the highest break in the history of the tournament, breaking his own record set in the previous year. Tom Newman met Nat Butler at Newman's Club in St John's Wood, London. Newman led 5–3 on