Obituary Mr Eric Simons was leading billiards figure

Press, 17 November 1980, Page 24

Obituary Mr Eric Simons was leading billiards figure

i Eric. Simons, s leading fig-t tire in Canterbury billiards' for more than 25 years, died on Saturday after a short ill-' ness. He was 59.

Simons won a record 10, Canterbury titles, the first in; 1955 and the last in 1974/ When not successful in this period he was almost invariably the beaten finalist, either Jo Tom Yesberg or, in the latter years, Brian Kirk-, ness, !

Only once did the New Zealand title fall to Simons, and that was at New Plymouth, in 1969. However, it is doubtful if any man has played in as many Quarter and semi-finals as he did. Simons represented New Zealand at the world amateur championships at Bombay in 1973, finishing eighth in the field of 10. He! did. however, have another distinction at these championships, being on the re, ceiving end when Mohammad Lafir, of Sri Lanka, | made a world amgtsur record break of 859 in just . 49 minutes. !

As well as being a leading player; 'Simons W4S also a great worker- for billiards, He served for-mure tjian 20 years on the Canterbury association, filling just about every office and having several terms as president. He was a life member of the association, as he also was of the New Zealand association — a distinction rarely given to those outside I the executive circle. 1

Simons spent a good part of his life crouched over a billiards table, but never I played in public rooms. His surrounds were club rooms, : and particularly the Post;' Office Social Club room ini' Hereford Street, where he/ played for 20 years. ’ For 30 years he was part , of the inter-club billiards ! scene, the last 25 of them as « an A-grade player. , He switched to Hornby in < 1976 and two years ago to ; Papanui. both moves being i designed to aid by both his s presence and his coaching 1 the billiards sections off

[these dubs. Over the years I countless players sought,, and received, advice from Simons, and nobody was better equipped to offer hints on losing-hazard play. He was, in fact, one of the best short, hazard players New Zealand has known, and if in recent years this method of scoring bas been surpassed by lop-ef-the-table play, Simons was never leftbehind in terms of high breaks.

In 1974. when travelling’ to the national tournamentiat Invercargill. Simons was !in a serious road accident.'. [His wife died from injuries suffered and Simons, him'-,' self, was close to death for,’ some time.

I His recovery was slowj [and painful, but eventually he was able to bridge his 1 cue again and it said much; for his character and deter-i mination that he was able tq‘ regain much of his former’ prowess.

In his younger days} Simons was an accomplished; boxer and wrestler, winning 'Canterbury boxing titles anq, a New Zealand Armed Ser/) vices title.

Eric Simons fall a little} short of being a great biM Hards player, But by New? Zealand standards there is} no doubt that he was aqi outstanding one. especially J as a hazard exponent. ft» might also be said that anysport could copnt itself 2 lucky to have such a true ■ gentleman in its front ranks. *