The 1985 Mercantile Credit Classic was the sixth edition of the professional snooker tournament with qualifiers taking place in late 1984 and the main stages taking place from 4âÂÂ13 January 1985. The tournament was played at the Spectrum Arena, Warrington, Cheshire. The event was extended from 8 days to 10, with the semi-final stage and the final both being extended to two days. Television coverage was shared by ITV and Channel 4.
Willie Thorne beat Steve Davis 9âÂÂ8 in the first semi-final on the Thursday. Davis led 7âÂÂ5 before Thorne won the next three frames to lead 8âÂÂ7. Davis won the 16th frame to level the match but Thorne won the deciding frame after taking an early 62âÂÂ0 lead. It was Thorne's first win over Davis. Thorne made a break of 120 in the fourth frame of the afternoon session, which eventually won him ã4,000 for the highest break in the televised stage of the event.
In the second semi-final on the Friday, Cliff Thorburn beat Joe Johnson. Johnson won the second frame to level the match but Thornburn then ran away with the match winning 9âÂÂ2.
Willie Thorne won his only ranking title beating Cliff Thorburn 13âÂÂ8. The final was played in three sessions finishing on Sunday afternoon. Thorburn led 4âÂÂ3 after the first session. Thorne won the first three frames in the evening session to lead 6âÂÂ4 and finished the day with an 8âÂÂ7 lead. There were three centuries in the session, 105 and 118 by Thorne and 100 by Thorburn. Thorburn levelled the match at 8âÂÂ8 by winning the first frame on the Sunday but Thorne then won five frame in a row to win the match and the first prize of ã40,000.
The final attracted an average of 12.6million viewers on ITV, peaking at 16.2.million.
The last-32 round was played in Warrington in December 1984.
(Including qualifying rounds)