Joe Perry claims British Seniors Open title as perennial crowd favourite Jimmy White beaten in Derby final
Published 28/12/2025 at 22:30 GMT
Joe Perry saw off Jimmy White on Sunday to claim the British Seniors Open title. The final in Derby was a tight affair throughout, with Perry edging to a 7-5 win. White had impressively seen off Shoot Out winner Alfie Burden in the semi-finals, but Perry proved too hot to handle. Live coverage of the Masters at Alexandra Palace is on TNT Sports and discovery+, starting on January 11.
From O'Sullivan to Higgins: The top 10 snooker shots of 2025
Video credit: TNT Sports
Joe Perry claimed the British Seniors Open title in Derby on Sunday, beating perennial crowd favourite Jimmy White 7-5 in the final.
The match was tight and tense throughout, with 51-year-old Perry - who retired from the professional game at the end of last season - eventually proving too good.
As ever, many fans in the crowd were hoping for a White victory, and they had good reason to be confident too after 'The Whirlwind' battled to a fine 5-3 victory over Shoot Out winner Alfie Burden in the semi-finals.
White could also trade on some good memories from snooker in Derby, having twice won the British Open title at the old Assembly Rooms in the city, in 1987 and 1992.
But former Welsh Open champion Perry has always been a tough cookie, and he picked up the trophy.
Perry took the opening frame, but White hit back with the next two for a 2-1 lead. Perry made breaks of 61 and 64 to level the match and then compiled a fine run of 100 to go 3-2 ahead.
White edged a tight sixth frame, and a break of 58 in the next helped him into a 4-3 lead. A break of 79 from Perry made it 4-4 and he took the next frame as well for a 5-4 advantage.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/21/image-b228c637-9f34-4640-a606-53c31cfdbf20-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Watch Wakelin's wondrous title-winning century break in FULL
Video credit: TNT Sports
It was gripping stuff for those watching in the arena and on television, and it was soon 5-5 thanks to a break of 82 from White.
But Perry stepped it up a gear again and took the match - and the title - with breaks of 95 and 73.
White continues to be a major danger at these Seniors events. The man who turned professional in 1980, and famously lost in six World Championship finals, can still turn it on sufficiently to challenge for honours.
But Perry is more than a decade younger than White and even though his last couple of seasons on tour were low key, his Welsh Open triumph came as recently as 2022.
Perry retired following World Championship qualifying last spring. Speaking on Radio Snooker in September, he said: "I'm not missing being out there one bit. I'll always love snooker, but the actual playing side I don't miss one bit.
"No regrets from my side. I knew I was ready to pack up."
- White to take trip down memory lane with major final snooker appearance
- 'The next Ronnie O’Sullivan' - White reveals future plans after he hangs up cue
With snooker drawing to a close in 2025, thoughts will now turn to the treats to come in 2026.
The Masters, one of the great events in any snooker year, starts at Alexandra Palace on January 11 and is live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The tournament will begin with 2025 winner Shaun Murphy taking on Wu Yize. The other attractions in the first round include Neil Robertson against Ronnie O'Sullivan.
-
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the 2026 Masters, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement