OPEN BILLIARDS TITLE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 230, 28 September 1943, Page 5

OPEN BILLIARDS TITLE

HOLDSWORTH AND WHITE IN FINAL L. Holdsworth, who recently won the Auckland amateur billiards title, reached the final of the open championship last night, when he defeated E. V. Roberts by 500 to 279. To-night the final of 1000 up will be commenced, M. D. White, a veteran of Auckland billiards, being the other finalist. Last night's game was keenly looked forward to, as Roberts had produced some of his old-time form, which won him the amateur title nine times and also several New Zealand championships. However, Roberts was right out of touch, missing easy shots which presented Holdsworth with frequent openings. Holdsworth played confidently and accurately. He quickly got into his stride with a break of 46, and reached the first hundred when Roberts was in the twenties. Holdsworth added further breaks of 42 and 41, and the marker called 216 to 116. Holdsworth played a series of losing hazards -with the white in baulk, and increased his lead with a 45 break. Then Roberts replied with the best break of the contest, 50, but Holdsworth, continuing to play well, reached .307 when Roberts was 187. Roberts' only other break of note was 34, which ended when he missed a shot pot in the top pocket. After reaching the last hundred Holdsworth was twice lucky, and scored 41 and 44. In the latter break he missed a cannon afterscoring 2, but his ball fell into the centre pocket, and he went on to add 40 more and make his total 480. At the next cue he ran to points with 20 unfinished, having scored the final 100 in three visits.

SNOOKER CHAMPIONSHIP The first matches in the Auckland amateur snooker championship were played last night, when J. Hardman beat F. Wigg, 57—22, 26—67, 50—39, and A. Phillips, the title-holder, beat N. Moller, 45—21, 50—27.