Sure enough, when Mick went to watch his nemesis in action at The Ricoh, the ITV cameras focused on him in the audience while the commentator pointed out the “claim to fame” connection. “In fact, even after all these years, there’s hardly a day goes by when someone doesn’t bring it up.”
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“After 15 years as a professional player, and at one time being in the top 21, that’s the main thing that people mention to me. “It has also become a regular quiz question: Who was Ronnie O’Sullivan’s opponent when he made his maximum break in five minutes 20 seconds in 1997? Mick Price with Ronnie O'Sullivan after the Rocket's record 147 break in 1997 “The achievement made the front page of The Sun and the Guinness Book of Records, with my name mentioned, almost as an after-thought, because I was on the receiving end,” said Mick. When Ronnie completed his super-fast clearance against Nuneaton lad Mick, it forged a permanent link between the two men in the annals of the green baize game.
Sixteen years on, it is still, by far, the quickest time in a professional competition that anyone has chalked up snooker’s absolute score a black with all 15 reds followed by the sequence of colours. This time Mick was a spectator, as Rocket Ronnie marched towards victory in the 888 Casino Champion of Champions tournament, staged at the Ricoh this weekend.īut there was a similar occasion, in 1997, when Mick was an opponent as Ronnie compiled a record-making maximum.Īt a hushed Crucible, during the World Championships, the Rocket piled up a 147-break in a stunning five minutes and 20 seconds. The scene was a flashback: Mick Price looking on while snooker ace Ronnie O’Sullivan cleared the table, potting balls in rapid succession.