Yesberg Causes Upset In N.Z. Billiards Tourney

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30528, 25 August 1964, Page 16

Yesberg Causes Upset In N.Z. Billiards Tourney

T. Yesberg (Canterbury), in a magnificent exhibition of controlled attacking billiards, caused the major upset of the first day’s play in the New Zealand Billiards Championships yesterday. In two hours he met and mastered the skill of the 1963 champion, H. Robinson (Wellington), to win by 449 points to 338.

The most pleasing feature of Yesberg’s performance was his consistency as his failure to register a break of 40 indicates. S. Moffit (North Otago) and W. Glass (Auckland) also scored surprise wins. In a point for point struggle throughout the game, Moffit displayed all the attributes of a more seasoned player to beat A. Redmond (Auckland) by 25 points. Redmond—freely tipped to win the title —could find no counter for the consistent play of Moffit. Glass, unconcerned by the reputation .of G. Geddes, played an attacking game throughout the two hours, and this pressure began to take its toll. Geddes rallied, to keep himself in the game, but on the day lacked the skill to overcome the deficit. The left-handed Auckland exponent, F. Hawkin, made breaks of 96, 69 and 69 in his convincing 671-300 win over S. Moses of Wellington. The clash between Hawkin and Canterbury's left-handed player E. Simons is awaited with interest.

G. Geddes was hesitant in the early part of his game with Otago’s G. Kennedy but settled more to his task as the game progressed. His open style game is most attractive to watch, and his neatly compiled breaks of 73 and 88 gave hint of more to come as the championships proceed. Canterbury’s E. Simons had his moments of worry during his game against R. Weke of South Auckland. It was only in the final quarter that the advantage moved convincingly his way. Simons’s performance in the latter stages of the match however was more constructive. Much interest was taken in the game between A. Twohill (West Coast) and J. Weaver (Southland). Twohill six times New Zealand champion —failed to make an entry last year, but on last evening’s efforts he has lost little of his former ability. During

the two hours of this game he scored 738 points, including breaks of 77. 67 and 57.

Results with best breaks in parentheses were:— G. Geddes 521 (88, 73) beat G. Kennedy 185; E. Simons 460 beat R. Weke 370; A. Twohill 738 (77, 67. 57, 43, 42) beat J. Weavers 218; F. Hawkln 671 beat S. Moses 300 (72); W. Glass 539 beat G. Kennedy 292. W. Harcourt 453 beat B. Paretovich 276; W. Glass 471 (62, 41) beat G. Geddes 390; S. Moffit 387 (52) beat A. Redmond 362: D. Higgins 467 (54, 40) beat L. Napper 360.