OPEN BILLIARDS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 3, 28 September 1939, Page 3

OPEN BILLIARDS

Wellington Championship

As bad been expected play in the Wellington open billiards championship last night between S. M. G. Simpson, G.P.O. Social and Literary Club, and_A. Duncan, Paramount, was of a high standard.

Both men gained the measure o£ the table aad 'balls quickly and from the beginning played with freedom and confidence. Dunean, who is now in the professional class, and has on many occasions gained championship honours as an amateur, is one of Wellington's best players, and is possessed with a greater knowledge of the game than he is commonly credited with. Simpson, too, is a versatile and able player, and always a dangerous opponent. For the first hundred both players were very close. Dunean then, in three visits to the table, gained a lead of more than 101) points, which Simpson was not able to overtake. Play in the late stages of the game was patchy, and lacking the brightness which characterized tlie earlier stages. The final score was: Duncan 400, Simpson 2C7. Best breaks: Winner, 20, 47, 32, 24. 46, 30, 25, 27, 20; loser, 26, 21, 22. The second game was between tlie veteran R. C. Sim, Federal Club, and L. Stout, who is regarded by many as the best cueist in Wellington today. Sim is always interesting to waleh. jis his cue action is almost perfect and his style attractive. For the earlier part of the game both men kept well together,, with a slight advantage to Stout. The balls then began breaking liadiy and neither player was able to gather them into position for a break. Stout's lead gradually increased till almost 100 points separated the contestants. Sim was the first to break tlie bail run and, playing with expert touch, compiled a neat run of 37, which, together with other small breaks placed him within 70 points of his opponent. Stout then took command at the table, and with several useful breaks ran to points with Sim nt 2.>6. Best breaks were; Stout, 34, 39. 43, 32, 22 and 22 unfinished ; Sim, 37. Semifinal I’lay The semi-finals of tlie Wellington open billiards championship- were played last night. S. Moses, C.P.O. Pastimes Club, met A. Armstrong. Federal Chib, and A. Dunean, Paramount, met L. Stout, Paramount.

Moses had little difficulty in beating Armstrong bv 400 to 243. Neither played consistently well, though at times both did clevij; work. The best breaks were: Moses, 30. 22, 33: Armstrong, 26, 27, 23. The second game, between Stout and Dunean, was watched keenly, as botii understand one another's play thoroughly, bor the first 100 both men kept together. Stout, then made a break of S 9. one of the best breaks yet seen in the competitions. Time and again tlie bails ran right for Stout and he had to play some very nice shots to keep going. A little Inter he made a perfect 57. Dunean was given few opportunities to warm up. A further 55 by Stout brought the game within a

few points of the finish, with Dunean apparently hopelessly behind. 'lhe game ended : ‘ Stout 400, Duncan 255. Best breaks were: Stout,_22, 21, 89, 26, ui, oa; Dunean, 27, 23, 2a, 40. o night at 7.30 Moses plays Stout, tlie game being 750 up, '