Snooker title

Press, 8 July 1976, Page 18

Snooker title

Lou Adams, at only his < second attempt, won his first > Canterbury snooker title when i he beat the defending champion, Brian Kirkness, by four I frames to two in the final last evening. Adams, who is 42 and who ’ only last season returned to the ( came after a break of 10 years, . won 70-17. 57-69, 72-64, 49-48, 6-68. 65-23. ; Although the standard was , not high enough to make it a , great final, it was still a most , interesting one. Both players ] were inclined to mix their form. , and but for a little bad luck at crucial times, Kirkness would undoubtedly have gone much i closer to winning the title for . the seventh time. ' The match began on a spectacular note when Adams ( opened his scoring with a break , of 50—the highest of the even- ( Kirkness made a promising start to the second frame with a 38 break, but the reds were , well spread and Adams replied with a 37. The scoring was close through the remaining reds, and the early colours were shared. Kirkness levelled at one frame each when, after Adams had narrowly missed putting the blue in a middle pocket, he sank the blue and pink in successive shots. Adams was very lucky to win the third frame. He played poorly in the early stages and although Kirkness was unable to capitalise fully on some of the «ood opportunities he had, he still led 33-13 half way through) I the reds. I Adams. helped by fouls. I [recovered and trailed only 50-551 starting the colours. Kirkness sank the yellow and the green.) hut had the misfortune to) double kiss on the blue This left Adams in a good position to clear the last three colours, which he did. Again in the fourth frame. Klfkees* had victory matched from hi* frup, Adam* I*<l, 28-2

early, but Kirkness, showing some of his best form, recovered well and he was ahead. 43-36, playing the blue. He dropped the blue with a splendid long pot, but then missed a much easier shot on the pink. Adams again took his chance. quickly putting down both the pink and the black. The fifth frame saw Kirkness at his best. He took an early lead, 20-6, and then raced away with a break of 47, during which his white ball control was masterly. Adams conceded after i the reds. Adams played a heady game in the sixth frame. He was ahead, 23-0, early and although Kirkness recovered to 23-22 he was battling all the time for position. Adams fared better oh the final reds and Kirkness needed two snookers when the green was reached. They never looked likely, and Adams finally wrapped up the match by sinking the green, the brown, and the blue—the latter with a cleverly executed rebound off a side cushion. This was the second final Kirkness has lost this year, David Meredith last month relieving him of the Canterbury billiards title. However, he at least had the compensation last evening of winning the trophy for the highest break of the tournament, a 68.