BILLIARDS CONTESTS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 283, 27 August 1935, Page 5

BILLIARDS CONTESTS

Wellington Championship

Bright billiards entertained a large crowd at Messrs. Billiards Ltd.’s showroom last night when the fourth round of the Wellington provincial inter-club championship was decided. The first game between J. Petley and IL M. Blundell, fellow members of the Commercial Travellers’ Club, was a closelyfought duel, there seldom being more than a dozen points difference until the final stages. Petley, a very free mover, played easily throughout, the game being open and interesting. Blundell showed’ marked aptitude at the winning hazard stroke particularly and for a newcomer to championship billiards he gave the impression of being decidedly useful with the cue. Final score was called in Petley’s favour, 300-254.

C. E. Peek (Cairo Club), another newcomer, decisively, defeated W. Petersen (Working Men’s Club) by 300-105, thus confirming the earlier impression that be is a serious challenger for the title now lost by S. M. G. Simpson. Peek began very easily, making a good 79 break in his first few visits, which, with t.he addition of a few others rapidly placed him over a century ahead. With this substantial advantage he played confidently and showed marked ability in accumulating further figures of 36 and 53 Peek plays good position, and is assisted by an even temperament, an invaluable asset in championship play. Too many players enter championships with the idea of playing a super game; were they to pWx. their ordinary game many would advance much further. Despite dogged resistance t>y A. Duncan (R.S.A.), including much safety play, R. C. Butters (Commercial Travellers’ Club) won in an intensely tigut finish by 300-290. The play of both was remarkably good, asd scoring amazingly keen. Though at stages Du.ncau seemed to gain superiority, tlig tenacity of uis opponent Was making u remarkable appeal to the audience, and the final result in Butters’s favour, though slight, met with prolonged acclamation. The loser is an ex-New Zealand and Wellington champion, and an undoubtedly good player. To record a defeat against him, Butters bad to produce billiards of finer quality, and this he was successful in doing.

Best breaks were: Petley. 29, 30. 26, 27; BlundeH. 21, 33. 34. 24 ; Peek. 79. 36, 53; Duncan : J 3. 24. 46, 26, 27; Butters, 27. 23, 26. 29, 36. 34.

Mr, G. Meldrum officiated as marker and umpire. In the semi-finals, which take place tonight, Peek will meet Butters in tin first game at 7 p.m., and Petley meets Devine in the second game Both winners contest the final on Wednesday at 7.30. Entries for the annual small table tournament close with Messrs, Billiards Limited on Monday, September 9.