G. Logan Dictates Terms For Title

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30482, 2 July 1964, Page 15

G. Logan Dictates Terms For Title

In a magnificent display of potting, the young and relatively Inexperienced New Brighton player, C. Logan, won from R.SJl.'c R. Franks .the title of Canterbury ■ •amateur snooker champion. Notwithstanding the • disappointing form' of Franks, his astute use of safety, with some brilliant but inconsistent potting, all honours must lie With Logan. His perseverance .in attacking Franks’ defensive play, was a bold but, as’ it eventuated, wise decision. With the red bells spread round the table he not only limited his opponent’s strong ’ point, but forced Franks to attack. Logan was playing in his ■first provincial final against Franks, a winner oh four previous ■ occasions, and yet he dictated the terms of play. Logan began' confidently, gaining an. early lead of 21 points to one. Franks tried to close up the game with scant success. One shot left Logan close to the reds; he quickly scored a break of 15 to lead 48-10. Franks, usually an attacking player, also had some leaves” but for some reason he was unable to position himself for.the breakthrough. The °f ibe table—the-fastest in. Christchurch—played havoc with [he positional play. Logan won,

Reds Spread Out Franks spread the reds at the start of the second frame to counter Logan's attack by out-potting him. Logan greeted this move by pottjng with a fluency that soon drove Franks back into defence. Undaunted by the 20 points deficit, Franks continued to fight back, and narrowed this margin to seven The scores levelled at 30. Logan however, was soon back into his stride and.won, 71-30. M From Black A nicely compiled break of 24 from the black again gave

Logan a commanding lead in tire early part of frame three. Franks retaliated with IS from the same ball, but to his horror the third red moved slowly towards the pocket, and stopped inside the jaws. Logan potted another black from this to lead. 39-29. Misfortune frowned on Franks with two reds left on the table. He played a grand shot to sink the first, and with the black inside the jaws seemed certain to take the lead. The white ball slowly rolled onwards and inwards to the pocket. Logan sank the last red and Improved his lead to S 7-35. After another unlucky loss Franks stiU forced the play. The third frame score was 62-52. Won Fourth Frame Franks played some fine snooker to lead 26-14 in the fourth frame. This lead proved beyond Logan and he concdeded the frame, 28-41. Franks’ hopes of a gallant revival were severely retarded in the early stages of the fifth frame. Logan moving into pot an easy red made a fine break of 25, the highest of the evening. Franks, still not potting confidently, narrowed a 19 deficit to five with five colours remaining, and the game was wide open. Logan gained points - from a snooker, potted the brown, blue and pink to take the frame and championship by four frames to one.