BILLIARDS CHAMPIONSHIP

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 250, 16 July 1920, Page 8

BILLIARDS CHAMPIONSHIP

SEMI-FINALS. Tho semi-flnals in the New ZealanjJ amateur billiards championship were played at Alcock's showrooms yesterday afternoon and evening before very interested audiences. 11l the afternoon Fredatovich plaved his club-mate Roberts, of the Auckland Sports Club. These players, in their own familiar surroundincs, are said to be of about etjual ability, and from their play yesterday afternoon this would appear to be su. Roberts might bo just a trifle more brilliant than Fredatovich. but he is also more nervy and not nearly so eteadv. Play rifiht up to COO points was just as even at it could be, the players passing and repassing one. another with the greatest of regularity. Luck, if anything, favouring Roberts. This plaver, too, for a very brief period, had the advantage of a lead of nearly 80 points. With a, break ot .26 Roberts was the first to reach tho CM mark, finishing at 617, when Ms opponent wa6 585. He had lost the white and endeavoured to leave double baulk, but failed. Fredatovich responded with a fourteen, and Roberts With a three. Scores: Roberts, C2O; Fredatovich, 599. The latter, who 'is a better general than' his opponent, then made a nice 30, and cleverly left safely. KoberU gave a miss, and. his opponent with a neat shot scored and got position. St 8. however, lie broke down on a simple canon and left position. Roberts, who, was unmistakably nervous, only got a three, but loft them f:ght. Fredatovich secured a cood canon with a forcing shot nnd was a little lucky in getting position left, which enabled him to get his points, the"scores being: Fredatovich, 050; Roberts, fill. 13est breaks: Winner, 33, 49, 22, 20, 3D, 24, 21, 38, UG, 30; loser, 23. 32. 24, 11. 32, ali.

In the evening Siectoborqr, of Dunodin. tho present champion, played Warren, of .Auckland, who is au ox-champion. Great thiiurs were expected from botn players, but tournament conditions aro not favourable to big breaks. Tension is hiarh nnd conditions are unusual. For example,, the tible is a neutral one. and the balls new and unfamiliar to tiin players. Tn addition, there is the fact that they are playing in front of a large audience of silent critics. These fiic.OM count, and obviously affected the placers. Warren was the first to reach 400. his opponent being then at 330. ren. too, reached 520 ( before Siedeborg readied 4<W. This latter player, iiosn luck was against him, then' secured a very nice CC. It looked now as if the oliamg,ixin was striking form, and he reached withinJiO points of the leader. Warren was not to Jic.denied, and jilayinif nxcellontly went to his point* with a liteo break of 72 unfinished. Th« Kapio ended: Warren, GSO; Siedeberg, 522, Tho Test breaks were: Warren, ill 31. 40, 31, 20, 38, 28, 24, '22 and 72 (unfinl ished); Siedeberß, 24, 28, 25, 41, 63, and 20. This afternoon tho finals will commence at 2.30 p.m., and tbia evening at 7.30.