BILLIARDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 200, 25 August 1939, Page 13

BILLIARDS.

AMATEUR TOURNEY. TITLE-HOLDER DEFEATED. j SUCCESS OP R. CARRICK. The New Zealand Amateur billiards championship was continued yesterday, when three games were played in the [quarter-finals. The holder of the title, L. Holdsworth, lost to R. Carrieb (Auckland) by 666 points to 605. M. D. White (Auckland) defeated R. Whitford (Auckland) by 666 points to 450, and A. Bowie (Otago) defeated J. Harrison (Auckland) by 666 points to 517. Century breaks were made by A. Bowie, 117, and R. Carrick, 102. Details of the games are:— R. Carrick v. L. Holdsworth. Final Scores.—R. Carrick, 666 (breaks, 21, 102, 55, 30, 39, 29, 27, 42. 34, 50, 24 unfinished); L. Holdsworth, 605 (breaks, 60, 28, 73, 34, 21, 23. 34, 24, 23). Average, 9.6. A crowded house witnessed this game, and the spectators were treated to a great contest. Holdsworth was the first to score, making an opening break of 60. Carrick settled down and gave an excellent display of top of the table billiards. He showed splendid control of the balls, and made a break of 102, for which he received an ovation. Next cue he made a 55 break to give him a lead of 100 points. The scores were called at 292— 181 in Carrick's favour. Holdsworth then made a great effort of 73 by all round billiards. Both players were playing splendidly. It was high-class amateur billiards. Carrick replied with a 39, and at the half-way mark the scores were Carrick 331. Holdsworth 247. Holdsworth made some useful points, including a run of 34. and the scores were even at 388. At the st_H) mark the players were still even, Carrick making breaks of 29 and 27, while Holdsworth made 34 and 24. Both players missed a few scoring opportunities. The contest was truly strenuous. Carrick forged ahead again with breaks of 42. 24 and 50, the scores reading 611— •326. Holdsworth then gradually improved his position and got to within 20 points of his opponent. Carrick, however, took , command and ran to 643, and left Hold - i worth, to play a double balk shot.

Holdsivorth made a splendid cannon, but it was of no avail, and he also then left Carrick a double balk shot. C&rrick played a beautiful cannon and then ran to points with an unfinished of 24. Both players received an ovation for their splendid performance. M. D. White v. R. WWtte* Final Scores.—M'. D. White (Auckland) 666 (breaks, 24, 32, 48, 56, 49, 26, 27, 45, 44, 28, 25), R. Whitford (Auckland) 450 (breaks, 25, 25, 25, 25, 20, 29. 36, 23). Average 8. Whitford was first to score, making two breaks of 25. He reached the first 100 wjth White's score at 19. He made another 25 and established a 100 points' lead. White took time to find touch, but eventually made runs of 24 and 32, and evened the scores at the 150 mark. At this stage both players were playing cautiously, seeking an opportunity to make a break. White got control of tile balls and made a nice run of 48, an<i Whitford replied with a 25, and the scores were even again at 220. Whitford then made a foul stroke and White had the balls re-spotted. He made a .56 and followed it immediately with another effort of 49. White was playing well and established a commanding lead of 100 points. He increased the lead still farther with breaks of 27 and 45. and the scores were called: 491 — 326. Whitford, who had a lean period, then played nice breaks of 25. 30 and 3<> and reduced the margin, but he was still 100 points behind at the 500 mark. White then took command, making breaks of 44. 2S and 25 and ultimately ran to points, winning comfortably.

Final Scores.—A Bowie (Otagol 656 I'breaks, 35. 69, 26, 117, 35, 60, 28), J. W. F. Harrison (Auckland) 517 (breaks, 24, 26, 29, 62). Average 8.

Both players took some time to find touch, and played the first 100 evenly. Bowie then made a good break of 69, and Harrison replied with a 26. At the 200 mark the scores were still even. Bowie then made a magnificent all-round break of 117. He received applause for his fine effort—the biggest break of the tournament to date. Harrison replied again with a 31 and was playing consistently. Bowie at the next visit to the table made 33. and at the half-way mark the scores were: Bowie 362, Harrison 243. At this stage

Harrison was fifrhtinz to make up his deficit, but the balls did not run kind:'' for him. A quiet period of play followed without any breaks beinz made. Harrison then compiled a splendid all-round break of 62. end the scores were called: Bowie 504, Harrison 432. Bowie then got control or the balls and, making a 60 break, took his score to 635. He went to the limit of the hazards allowed and played double balk. This proved excellent tactics, as he ran to points next cue to win a good game.