BILLIARDS TOURNEY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 284, 28 August 1935, Page 5

BILLIARDS TOURNEY

Peek and Devine Lead

Last night at Billiards Limited the first game in the Wellington semi-finals was between Butters (Commercial Travellers' Club) and Peek, of the Cairo Club. The play in this event had little to commend it, both players suffering very badly from nerves aud missing easy shots again and again, as no doubt a critical audience is a great trial to the auiateur with little experience of tournament play. The time taken to score the necessary 300 points was Ihr. 45min. Buttxrs was the first to reach the century, but Peek reached 207 when Butters was 3 OS. At this stage matters went rather better for the former, and he made a few serviceable breaks round about 30. In the meantime Butters was having a lean time and few opportunities. The game ended : Peek 300, Butters 215. Breaks: Butters, 20; Peek, 20. 32, 24, aud 20. The second semi-final was between Devine (Petone Working Men's Club) and an ex-champion, Petley (Commercial Travellers''Chib). Petley is a quick player —perhaps too quick—but he plays attractively and with decision. Devine, too, is by no means slow. Both players started off well, playing bright, attractive billiards and none the less skilful for the absence of hesitation. Devine has a fine knowledge of the game and notwithstanding an advancing age is able to play the finest cuts and losers effectively. Petley is inclined to rely greatly upon his ability to secure the shot and leaves after-posj-tiou too largely to chance. Some of his individual shots wire as fine as anything seen in the tournament.

Devine had the best of matters throughout. the final scores being 300 to 182. Breaks: Petley, 29, 22; Devine, 41, 20. 40. 24, 34. The finals will begin to-night, at 7.30, when Devine will play Peek.