EXCITING BILLIARDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 192, 16 August 1939, Page 16

EXCITING BILLIARDS.

HOLDSWORTH BEATEN WHEN HE LOOKED A WINNER.

When looking a winner in the semi-final of the provincial amateur billiard championship last night, L. F. W. Holdsworth, New Zealand champion, was -beaten by M. D. White, who is the holder of the title. Holdsworth was 52 in the lead and wanted 28 for the match of 500 up. His opponent, who recently won the open championship, made successive breaks and Holdsworth scored only five more points. The Billiards, Limited, Shield goes with the championship, which is being played at their showrooms.

White had the better of the play in the early stages. The scores, however, were fairly even. Xearing the first hundred mark Holdsworth varied his piny judiciously in a well-played break of 60. The New Zealand champion improved his position soon after with an all-round break of 48. The scores at this stage were 184 to 94, in favour of Holds' Worth. Up to this stage the title-holder had not displayed his usual consistency. However, he improved and played well in a break of 63, finally failing on an easy drop cannon. A red ball break of 41 was his next effort and he gained the lead'at 212 to 206.

White maintained his consistency and led past the 300 mark. Holdsworth, however, improved his position with a red-ball break of 46 and a run of 24. His next visit gave him the lead once again at 334 to 324. The New Zealand champion was in again a few visits later with a run of 34. Holdsworth consolidated his position, playing very freely in an excellent run of 75. White at his next visit compiled a 62. This made the scores 472 to 420 in favour of Holdsworth. White gained ground with a run of 20, and. concentrating on the red ball, made a break of 35 to gain the lead at 480 to 477. The play was exciting at this stage, both fighting, hard for the deciding points. White had the better opportunities over tlie closing stages of the game and the final scores were:—M. P. White. 500 (breaks of 63. 41, 30. 62 and 35) : L. F. W. Holdsworth. 479 (breaks of 00, 48, 25, 46, 24. 34 and 75).

The first session of the final between M. T). White and R. Carriek will be held to-niglit, startins at 7.45 o'clock.

STEWART OTAGO WINNER,

(By,Telegraph,—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, Tuesday. In the final of the Otago amateur bil liards championship to-night E. N. Stewart (holder) defeated C. Mason, 1000—816. At the commencement of the evening's play Stewart led 500—-450 from the previous day, and by consistent play increased the lead to win by 184.