Perrie Mans
Encyclopedia
Pierre "Perrie" Mans is a retired professional snooker
player from South Africa
, who first won the South African professional championship in 1965, and went on to win it 19 times in total.
Mans first entered the World Snooker Championship in 1970. His first victory in the Championship came in the 1973 event when he defeated Ron Gross 9-2 before losing 16-8 to Eddie Charlton
. However, in 1974 he pulled off a major surprise by defeating John Spencer
15-13 in the second round, before being soundly defeated by Rex Williams in the quarter-final 15-4. In the 1976 event he defeated Graham Miles
15-10 and Jim Meadowcroft
15-8 to reach the semi-final where he lost 20-10 to defending champion Ray Reardon
.
In 1977 he was invited to take part in BBC TV's Pot Black programme which he duly won at his first attempt beating Fred Davis
, Ray Reardon and Willie Thorne
(over single frames) before defeating Doug Mountjoy 90 points to 21 in the final. During the final he also took the highest break prize with an effort of 59.
His career peaked in 1978, when he reached the final of the world championships, losing 25-18 to Ray Reardon. During that championship he defeated reigning Champion John Spencer 13-8, before achieving wins over Graham Miles (13-7) and Fred Davis (18-16). In the final, he never led Reardon, but held him to 18-17, before Reardon pulled away. He reached number two in the world rankings as a result, at that time rankings were based purely on the world championships of the three previous seasons.
1978 also saw Mans win the Heidelberg 100 event, defeating Silvino Francisco
9-3 in the final. This same year brought him greater company in the South African professional ranks when Silvino Francisco, Mannie Francisco, Jimmy Van Rensberg, Derek Mienie and Roy Amdor all turned professional.
Mans most notable tournament success was the Benson and Hedges Masters
in 1979, beating Cliff Thorburn
5-4, Ray Reardon 5-3 and, in the final, Alex Higgins
8-4, winning the competition with a top break of just 48.
In January 1980, Mans defeated Bill Werbeniuk
3-0 and John Spencer 3-2 before losing 4-2 to Alex Higgins
in the final of the Padmore/Super Crystalite event held at the Gala Baths, West Bromwich.
In January 1981, he pulled off the shock of the season by defeating strong favourite Steve Davis 5-3 in the first round of the 1981 Masters event, compiling a highest break of just 36. Mans would go on to lose 5-4 to Cliff Thorburn in the quarter-final.
In the 1982 World Championship, Mans ended the interest of the last surviving Barry Hearn
managed professional, Tony Meo in the first round. Meo led 3-0, but Mans overtook him to lead 9-8. This looked likely to become 9-9 when Mans trailed 54 points to 0 in the penultimate frame. However, Mans then completed a total clearance of 62 to win frame and match. He would go on to lose 13-6 in the next round to Jimmy White
.
Mans' last victory at the Crucible Theatre came in 1983 when he defeated Scottish debutant Ian Black
10-3, compiling breaks of 57, 65 and 69. However, an in-form Kirk Stevens
defeated Mans 13-3 in the second round, a defeat which put Mans outside the top 16 in the world rankings.
Mans last played in the World Championship in 1986. He defeated Les Dodd 10-7 in the final qualifying round but despite holding Doug Mountjoy to 3-4, he lost his first round match 10-3.. Earlier in the season he had partnered Australian John Campbell to the Quarter-final of the Hofmeister World Doubles, where they lost just 5-4 to Ray Reardon and Tony Jones.
Mans played in only two ranking events the following season (and the world doubles), failing to win any matches he slumped to fiftieth in the world rankings. He announced his retirement from professional snooker in July 1987 at the age of 46.. In terms of World Ranking and performances in the World Championship, Mans remains far and away the most successful South African snooker player.
A left-hander
, Mans was particularly famous for his long powerful pots, as well as his fashionable waistcoats. His father, Peter Mans, who died in 1975, was also a professional, making the quarter-finals of the 1950 World Snooker Championship.
In 1997, Mans returned briefly to the UK snooker scene after a twelve-year hiatus, participating in the "Seniors" Pot Black special on BBC2 timed to coincide with the 1997 World Championship, which marked the 20th anniversary of the tournament being held at the Crucible Theatre
. At 57, Mans lost to eventual winner Joe Johnson
. Mans returned again to play in the seniors event in the Autumn of 2000, losing his first match 82 points to 13 to Canadian Jim Wych
.
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
player from South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, who first won the South African professional championship in 1965, and went on to win it 19 times in total.
Career
Mans won the South African Amateur Snooker Championship in 1960, the only occasion in which he competed in the event and took the South African Professional Title from Freddie Van Rensberg in 1965..Mans first entered the World Snooker Championship in 1970. His first victory in the Championship came in the 1973 event when he defeated Ron Gross 9-2 before losing 16-8 to Eddie Charlton
Eddie Charlton
Edward Francis Charlton AM was an Australian professional snooker and English billiards player. He remains the only player to have been world championship runner-up in both snooker and billiards without winning either title...
. However, in 1974 he pulled off a major surprise by defeating John Spencer
John Spencer
-Earls:*John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer *John Spencer, 3rd Earl Spencer , British politician*John Spencer, 5th Earl Spencer , British politician...
15-13 in the second round, before being soundly defeated by Rex Williams in the quarter-final 15-4. In the 1976 event he defeated Graham Miles
Graham Miles
Graham Miles is a retired English snooker player.Miles turned professional in 1969. He first gained recognition in 1974, when he reached the final of the World Championship. Although he lost 22–12 to Ray Reardon, this turned out to be the highlight of his career...
15-10 and Jim Meadowcroft
Jim Meadowcroft
Jim Meadowcroft is a retired English professional snooker player who has latterly been a coach and a commentator on the game....
15-8 to reach the semi-final where he lost 20-10 to defending champion Ray Reardon
Ray Reardon
Ray Reardon, MBE is a retired Welsh snooker player. He dominated the sport in the 1970s, winning six World Championships in that decade...
.
In 1977 he was invited to take part in BBC TV's Pot Black programme which he duly won at his first attempt beating Fred Davis
Fred Davis
-Sports:* Fred Davis , English billiards and snooker champion* Fred Davis , English football player* Fred Davis fl...
, Ray Reardon and Willie Thorne
Willie Thorne
William Joseph "Willie" Thorne , is a former English professional snooker player and now a sports commentator.Thorne became national under-16 champion at both snooker and English billiards in 1970...
(over single frames) before defeating Doug Mountjoy 90 points to 21 in the final. During the final he also took the highest break prize with an effort of 59.
His career peaked in 1978, when he reached the final of the world championships, losing 25-18 to Ray Reardon. During that championship he defeated reigning Champion John Spencer 13-8, before achieving wins over Graham Miles (13-7) and Fred Davis (18-16). In the final, he never led Reardon, but held him to 18-17, before Reardon pulled away. He reached number two in the world rankings as a result, at that time rankings were based purely on the world championships of the three previous seasons.
1978 also saw Mans win the Heidelberg 100 event, defeating Silvino Francisco
Silvino Francisco
Silvino Francisco is a retired South African professional snooker player.Francisco comes from a snooker-playing family. His brother Mannie and nephew Peter both played at a high level, Mannie having been a runner-up in the World Amateur Billiards Championship on several occasions, and Peter having...
9-3 in the final. This same year brought him greater company in the South African professional ranks when Silvino Francisco, Mannie Francisco, Jimmy Van Rensberg, Derek Mienie and Roy Amdor all turned professional.
Mans most notable tournament success was the Benson and Hedges Masters
Masters (snooker)
The Masters is a professional snooker tournament and the second longest running tournament outside the World Championship. Although not a ranking event, it is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit, earning the second biggest prize money.-History:The tournament was held...
in 1979, beating Cliff Thorburn
Cliff Thorburn
Clifford Charles Devlin Thorburn CM, known as Cliff Thorburn is a retired professional Canadian snooker player...
5-4, Ray Reardon 5-3 and, in the final, Alex Higgins
Alex Higgins
Alexander Gordon "Alex" Higgins , also known by his nickname of Hurricane Higgins, was a Northern Irish professional snooker player who was twice World Champion and twice runner-up. Higgins earned the nickname The Hurricane because of his speed of play...
8-4, winning the competition with a top break of just 48.
In January 1980, Mans defeated Bill Werbeniuk
Bill Werbeniuk
William Alexander "Bill" Werbeniuk was a Canadian professional snooker and pool player. Recognisable for his girth, he was nicknamed "Big Bill"...
3-0 and John Spencer 3-2 before losing 4-2 to Alex Higgins
Alex Higgins
Alexander Gordon "Alex" Higgins , also known by his nickname of Hurricane Higgins, was a Northern Irish professional snooker player who was twice World Champion and twice runner-up. Higgins earned the nickname The Hurricane because of his speed of play...
in the final of the Padmore/Super Crystalite event held at the Gala Baths, West Bromwich.
In January 1981, he pulled off the shock of the season by defeating strong favourite Steve Davis 5-3 in the first round of the 1981 Masters event, compiling a highest break of just 36. Mans would go on to lose 5-4 to Cliff Thorburn in the quarter-final.
In the 1982 World Championship, Mans ended the interest of the last surviving Barry Hearn
Barry Hearn
Barry Hearn is an English sporting events promoter, and the founder and chairman of promotions company Matchroom Sport. He is currently the chairman of Leyton Orient F.C., and the Professional Darts Corporation and was also until July 2010 chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker...
managed professional, Tony Meo in the first round. Meo led 3-0, but Mans overtook him to lead 9-8. This looked likely to become 9-9 when Mans trailed 54 points to 0 in the penultimate frame. However, Mans then completed a total clearance of 62 to win frame and match. He would go on to lose 13-6 in the next round to Jimmy White
Jimmy White
James Warren "Jimmy" White MBE is an English professional snooker player. Nicknamed the "Whirlwind" and popularly referred to as the "People's Champion", White is a multiple World Championship finalist renowned for losing each of the six finals he contested.White's extensive list of achievements,...
.
Mans' last victory at the Crucible Theatre came in 1983 when he defeated Scottish debutant Ian Black
Ian Black
Ian Black is a British journalist and author focusing on international political issues. He is currently Middle East editor at The Guardian newspaper, where he has worked since 1980 as a reporter, Middle East correspondent, diplomatic editor, European editor and leader writer.-Awards:In 2010, Ian...
10-3, compiling breaks of 57, 65 and 69. However, an in-form Kirk Stevens
Kirk Stevens
Kirk Stevens is a Canadian professional snooker player.Stevens started playing young, achieving his first aged just 12. He turned professional aged 20, and reached the semi-finals of the World Championship aged 21...
defeated Mans 13-3 in the second round, a defeat which put Mans outside the top 16 in the world rankings.
Mans last played in the World Championship in 1986. He defeated Les Dodd 10-7 in the final qualifying round but despite holding Doug Mountjoy to 3-4, he lost his first round match 10-3.. Earlier in the season he had partnered Australian John Campbell to the Quarter-final of the Hofmeister World Doubles, where they lost just 5-4 to Ray Reardon and Tony Jones.
Mans played in only two ranking events the following season (and the world doubles), failing to win any matches he slumped to fiftieth in the world rankings. He announced his retirement from professional snooker in July 1987 at the age of 46.. In terms of World Ranking and performances in the World Championship, Mans remains far and away the most successful South African snooker player.
A left-hander
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
, Mans was particularly famous for his long powerful pots, as well as his fashionable waistcoats. His father, Peter Mans, who died in 1975, was also a professional, making the quarter-finals of the 1950 World Snooker Championship.
In 1997, Mans returned briefly to the UK snooker scene after a twelve-year hiatus, participating in the "Seniors" Pot Black special on BBC2 timed to coincide with the 1997 World Championship, which marked the 20th anniversary of the tournament being held at the Crucible Theatre
Crucible Theatre
The Crucible Theatre is a theatre built in 1971 and located in the city centre of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. As well as theatrical performances, it is home to the most important event in professional snooker, the World Snooker Championship....
. At 57, Mans lost to eventual winner Joe Johnson
Joe Johnson (snooker player)
Joe Johnson is an English former professional snooker player. He is best known as the surprise winner of the 1986 World Championship.- Career :...
. Mans returned again to play in the seniors event in the Autumn of 2000, losing his first match 82 points to 13 to Canadian Jim Wych
Jim Wych
Jim Wych is a sports announcer and former Canadian professional snooker and pocket billiards player. He reached the quarter-final of the Embassy World Professional Snooker Championship in his debut year of 1980, a "first" for any overseas player and duplicated this feat again in 1992...
.
Tournament wins
Non-ranking events- Benson & Hedges MastersMasters (snooker)The Masters is a professional snooker tournament and the second longest running tournament outside the World Championship. Although not a ranking event, it is regarded as one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit, earning the second biggest prize money.-History:The tournament was held...
(1979) - Pot BlackPot BlackPot Black was a British series of snooker tournaments televised by BBC, that played a large part in the popularisation of the modern game, from 1969 to 1986. The event was revived in the form of several one-off tournaments throughout the 1990s and up to 2007...
(1977)