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Mark Williams won his third World Championship – 15 years after his last – by holding off John Higgins’ stunning fightback in a classic Crucible final.

Williams, 43, won 18-16 to become the oldest champion since fellow Welshman Ray Reardon, who was 45 in 1978.

He won seven frames on the trot to take a 14-7 lead but Scot Higgins, 42, came back magnificently to take eight of the next nine and level at 15-15.

However, Williams responded in style to secure a famous victory.

The final was the closest since 2005 when Shaun Murphy beat Matthew Stevens by the same scoreline.

Williams claimed a record £425,000 at the Sheffield venue, taking his total prize money to £750,000 for the year, while Higgins’ wait for a fifth title continues.

“It’s unbelievable. Twelve months ago I wasn’t even here. I watched it in a caravan,” he told BBC Sport.

“I was seriously thinking of giving up, but my wife Joanne said I can’t sleep in the house 24 hours a day.”

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• Young players have gone soft – Hearn
• Reaction, analysis and frame-by-frame coverage
• Final frame scores and complete tournament results

Williams shows appetite for success

The final pitted two players from snooker’s ‘class of 92’, turning professional in that year alongside Ronnie O’Sullivan – and as far as sporting fairytales go, this is a remarkable one.

Only last summer, Williams failed to qualify for the Crucible and considered retirement, before deciding to continue.

He claimed two ranking titles this season, six years after his last, and now has 21 in his career.

Williams showcased his best snooker in Sheffield, knocking in long pots when Higgins had seemingly got the cue ball safe, before compiling frame-winning contributions in amongst the reds.

His laid-back manner and languid appearance around the table – sometimes even making pots with his eyes closed – was a throwback to the turn of the century when he was the best player in the world and claimed world titles in 2000 and 2003.

He finished his dramatic semi-final against Barry Hawkins at 23:50 BST on Saturday and two hours later was eating a kebab and chips at a takeaway in the city.

During the final, he asked to share some crisps, sweets and chocolate snacks with a fan who was sitting beside him in the arena.

Despite being under extreme pressure late on, Williams held himself together for an outstanding success which will move him up to third in the world rankings.

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Higgins misses out…again

For Higgins, it was a case of another missed opportunity. The Scot has now lost three finals, winning the last of his four titles in 2011 against Judd Trump.

He blew a 10-4 lead against Mark Selby last year, which he admitted could have been his best opportunity to add a fifth world crown and draw alongside O’Sullivan.

A mixed tournament this time saw him thrash Jack Lisowski 13-1 in the second round, before edging a thrilling final-frame decider against Trump in the last eight.

However, in the final, he was always chasing the game against Williams, and although he got level at 7-7 and made four centuries, never managed to edge in front and was punished for uncharacteristic mistakes.

At one stage it looked like Williams could finish the match with a session to spare, but ultimately Higgins’ epic fightback was in vain.

“Today I was 14-7 behind and I was worried if I would take it to the fourth session,” said Higgins. “I didn’t want to lose with a session to spare.

“It was a good match to watch but obviously I’m disappointed. He is a great champion.”

A stunning final session

After Williams had gone 4-0 ahead in the contest, Higgins hit back to level at 7-7, but then watched his opponent open up a seven-frame gap.

From 15-10 down, Higgins came out firing in the final session with a century and punished Williams for breaking down on 58 by compiling a 67 in response.

He did the same in the next as Williams missed a red on 47 and Higgins stroked in a superb 82, as well as taking the 29th to trail by one.

And the same pattern emerged in the next as Williams made another 47 only for Higgins to make 62 and level the match.

Williams showed great courage to take the next two, including a century break, but missed championship ball on the pink as Higgins’ 65 won the frame by two points.

However, a run of 69 in the 34th frame gave him another world title.

“To play John in a final is an experience in itself,” added Williams. “You’ve got to expect a comeback because when you’re 50 or 60 in front he’s the best I’ve ever seen at clearing up – and that includes Ronnie O’Sullivan.

“I was thinking: ‘I’m not going to get over the line here.’

“I knew if I didn’t get enough he was going to clear up again. But I’m over the moon.”

Final scores

John Higgins (Sco) 16-18 Mark Williams (Wal)

Final session: (131) 131-1, (67) 68-58 (58), (82) 82-47, 91-0, (62) 67-47, 0-74, 14-104 (100), (65) 65-63 (63), 0-71 (69) – 16-18 Williams

Third session: 5-98 (61), 19-73 (56), 0-126 (69, 56), 7-63 (52), (67) 92-29, (72) 76-65 (65), (80) 80-0, 8-84 – 10-15 Williams

Second session: 46-81 (72), (51) 75-31, (127) 127-8, 12-76, (56) 85-9, (117) 123-15, 0-123 (118), 35-64 (64), 43-80 – 7-10 Williams

First session: 23-75, 15-65, 35-72, (55) 60-70, (119) 120-4, 0-133 (95), (52) 98-0, (59) 82-21 – 3-5 Williams

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