Before snooker became a prominent television sport, it used to be thought that a player peaked around the age of 40.

Then the theory was that a player could gain maximum benefit for years of experience before his hand/eye co-ordination significantly deteriorated.

The influence of television itself has helped explode this preposition. It has shown at so many top tournaments that young players have acquired much more quickly than previous generations, a keen knowledge of tactics and shot selection.

And when snooker's television pulling power, not just on the BBC but on other television networks, attracted rights fees and sponsors, the best collation in prize money kept young players of promise hard at practice.

Absorb

They were the young that in previous eras, might only have been able to play part time.

Standards rose out of all recognition and so did the wear and tear on the nervous systems of those who travelled the circuit.

Again, the young were better able to absorb extended periods of stress.

The late Fred Davis, 22 years ago, reached the world semi finals at the age of 64, a feat very unlikely to be emulated.

The average age of the top 16 is now down to 27 with John Parrott, at 36 and on the slide for the last year , the oldest member of this elite.

Promising form

Steve Davis, 43, has looked after himself diligently and is ranked 17th; Jimmy White, 38, who has not, stands 18th although he attributes his promising form this season to living clear.

As the Liverpool Victoria Championship approached the end of the third of its 16 days at Bournemouth, there was not much comfort for star of yesterday.

Joe Johnson, 47, the 1986 world champion , whose ranking of 61still earns him exemption to the third round, lost 5-3 to Mark Gray the world number 82 from Peterborough to bring his record this season to a dismal played five lost five.

Three other big names of the past have also fallen to young hopefuls.

Fortified

Tony Knowles, 45, once the world number two, was a 5-1 first round loser Munraj Pal; Mike Hallett, 41, who once stood fifth, was beaten 5-2 by Jamie Burnett on Monday.

Willie Thorne, whose lifetime highest was seventh, bowed out yesterday 5-1 to Andrew Higginson.

These and other over 40s are hoping to be fortified by a new seniors circuit.

Thorne pocketed �10,000 for winning its first event in May but the seniors world championship, due to be played last week was postponed because sponsorship and television negotiations could not be completed.

Coaching and commentary ate two other possible sources of income. Thorne will be heard on BBC next week and Hallett works extensively for Eurosport and Sky.

But they would all agree - there's nothing like playing.