N. Prince Causes Upset By Beating Titleholder

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30274, 29 October 1963, Page 12

N. Prince Causes Upset By Beating Titleholder

N. Prince (Canterbury) caused a major upset yesterday by inflicting a 2-1 defeat on the New Zealand snooker champion. W. Harcourt (Wellington), when the billiards and snooker match between Canterbury and Wellington for the Mercer Aitken Challenge Trophy was resumed. Canterbury defeated Wellington by 96 points after both team* had tied with nine games each. Harcourt comfortably won the first frame, but in the second and third lost control completely. In these two frames Prince took advantage of all opportunities and built up unassailable leads. M. Teague (Wellington) turned In a good performance to record his second win bv defeating B. Klrkness by two frames to one. This was a game which was expected to go to Canterbury, but Teague outplayed Klrkness throughout and gave him few chances to settle down. The New Zealand billiards champion. H. Robinson, was fortunate in scoring a win over R. O'Callaghan by 423 points to 409. Not playing up to hie best. Robinson struggled to keep up with O'Callaghan, and It was not until the final shot that Robinson gained the Initiative. Runaway Win The result of the contest hinged on the three afternoon games. E. Simons scored a runaway win over M. Reid by 657 to

365. Simon* acored consistently throughout th* two-hour session although Reid at no Stage gave up trying- He did not. however, have the experience of Simons, who scored a very easy win. Harcourt began his billiard* session in whirlwind fashion against O'Callaghan and In a short time had acored mor* than 200 points to 89. O'Callaghan time back into th* game with break* of 52. 47. and narrowed Harcourt's lead to les* than 100. Hareourt cued better than in hi* morning wtooker session and eventually recorded a comfortable win. T. Yesberg scored a 2.1 win over W. Grant in the snooker match of the afternoon. The Canterbury champion took control of the flrst two frames and allowed Grant very few opportunities. The third frame went to Grant after Yesberg fouled the black late in the game, although the latter had held a good lead Grant then went on to take all the colours and the frame.

A luxurious mountain club, where the only qualification for membership is “being a gentleman," will be the venue for a bowling tournament between a team from the English Bowling Association and a Kenya side next February.—Reuter.