Simons’s Sixth Title

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31407, 28 June 1967, Page 18

Simons’s Sixth Title

If it lacked brilliance, the final of the Canterbury billiards championship last evening was never short on excitement. By beating T. Yesberg, 668-630, in a desperate finish, E. Simons won his sixth provincial billiards title and Yesberg’s score remained at seven.

It was an absorbing match, principally because of the determined effort by Yesberg in the closing stages when all seemed lost for him. But it was not notable for big scoring.

The players each had 80 visits to the table and there were only 21 breaks of 20 or better, with Simons having the best of the evening, 63. Yesberg, early in the game, had a break of 58.

Both players are capable of better billiards than they played in this game, but the balls did not seem to be willing to run for them. There were many errors in relatively simple shots, but there were also, some delightful passages by both players. But the drama of the green baize, and the pool of harsh light over the table, was lessened by the hubbub from another part of the R.S.A. building, where community singing seemed to vie with dance music and the noisier sequences of an old-time western film.

Simons trailed Yesberg until about 200 points had been scored, and then built up a lead of 65 by the half-way mark in a game played to 666 points. After the tea bread he fought doggedly to maintain his advantage, and near the end was 100 points in front. Yesberg showed skill and character in whittling this down so steadily that the game retained interest until the last shot had been played. The strength of Simons’s game was in his command of pace and position in playing losing hazards, although he produced a great variety of fine shots during the match. Yesberg was better at the top of the table although, by a quirk of fate, it was there that he finally failed. Simons, who has a quick and relaxed style, started confidently with a break of 29 but Yesberg assumed command with an excellent allround break of 58, during which he was only once threatened with loss of position. Both players were aggressive and the first safety shot was played only when 223 points had been scored. After that there was a long period in which neither player could establish position or keep it. During this dull passage, each scored 20 once in 20 times at the table.

i But just before the half-way break, Simons scored 32, I Yesberg replied with 42, and Simons made his 63, mainly through losing hazards. In the second period, Simons kept ahead stoutheartedly, and went to a 552439 lead. But the tension built up, and Yesberg steadily whittled down the difference. A break of 32 by Yesberg gave him a slim chance, as he was then at 575 and trailing by 58. When he needed 30, Simons scored 15 and Yesberg found good position at the top of the table. But for the second time in a few minutes, a slow shot to pot the red left the ball jawed. Simons advanced laboriously to 663, three short of victory, with Yesberg at 630. Yesberg, badly placed, played for safety. Simons did likewise. Trying to pot Simons’s ball, Yesberg again failed with a slow shot and Simons potted Yesberg and achieved a double baulk. Yesberg had a full shot up and down the table in attempting a cannon, and although he saved the point which would have ended the game, Simons sank the red to end it. (The photograph shows Simons in action in their final match.)