BREAK OF 119

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 232, 30 September 1943, Page 7

BREAK OF 119

SUCCESS OF M. WHITE

HIGH-CLASS BILLIARDS

In winning the Auckland open billiards championship last night by 1000 to 901 11. D. White enhanced his long record in the sport, extending over more than twenty years. His opponent was L. P. Holdsworth, twice a New Zealand champion and recently winner of the amateur championship. Last night's play commenced with Holdsworth three points in the lead at 501 to 498, but his opponent quickly got opportunities and made the most of them. White took the lead with a 3,6 .break, and then, at his fourth visit, compiled 119, a break in which he showed control and splendid shotmaking. Several times he negotiated long jinnies With delicate touch, which got him into position for top of the table play. There was also some accurate losing hazard .play in his break, at the end of which the marker called: White 605, Holdsworth" 563. White broke down when he missed an in off the white in the top pocket from the opposite jaw—a halt run through. Failure with a similar shot later spoilt opportunities. With small but consistent breaks Holdsworth reduced the margin and reached 000, while White added only four more. With the scores 666 to 639 White got going again to contribute 54 and break down with a losing hazard in top of the table play. Holdsworth added 30, and the score was 720 to 669. Holdsworth was now playing a tight game in an effort to make good the leeway, and he played it well. He used the double balk to await opportunities, and got within 52 of White with the scores 756 to 704, and a little later there was only 15 the difference. A Crucial Stage This was a crucial stage in the match, but White turned the balance again with a break of 83. White reached 947, with Holdsworth 815. Twice more Holdsworth sought safety with double balks. He got an opportunity after the second and made a fine break of 71, which took him to 001. It was a fighting recovery, but it proved his last effort, as White ran to points with an unfinished break of 53. The high standard of the play is evidenced by the averages for the session—White 13, and Holdsworth 10. Mr. J. R. Molloy, president of the Auckland Billiards Association, expressed appreciation of the splendid play and the efforts of those who had assisted in running the tourney, and the trophies were presented by Mr. B. Jury, of Barton and McGill's, on whose table the championship was played.