'Terribly exciting' – Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins and a golden sporting rivalry that has defied time

It was the year when football came home courtesy of Frank Skinner, David Baddiel, the Lightning Seeds, El Tel and Gazza. It was also the year when Fergie's Manchester United 'Class of 92' kids completed the double, Fergie divorced the Duke of York, Take That split and the Spice Girls released their debut single Wannabe.

Ad/> What aspiring pot duo Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins – snooker's revered 'Class of '92 alongside the wondrous Welshman Mark Williams – really, really wanted in 1996 was a first World Championship. World ChampionshipWorld Championship LIVE – Trump v Williams before O'Sullivan v Higgins3 HOURS AGO Both aged 20 having turned professional four years earlier, their quarter-final meeting over a quarter of a century ago was the iconic pair's first tête-à-tête around a Crucible snooker table that O'Sullivan edged 13-12 in a sweltering finale inside the stress test of the Sheffield hothouse.

«It is terribly tense and exciting with these two 20-year-olds, an amazing talent between two young men,» whispered a tranquil Ted Lowe in the commentary box. «It is just a pity one has to lose.» Old Ted did his final World Championship for the Beeb that year.

It is just a pity that the traditional incomparable voice of snooker is no longer around to discover what became of the young men he tipped for future sporting riches. Even 'Whispering Ted' would have been astounded by the commitment to potting perfection that has shaped their respective lives around the hush and adrenaline rush of finding the light from within the darkened recesses of a billiards hall.