BILLIARDS TITLE

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 54, 1 September 1945, Page 8

BILLIARDS TITLE

SHEPHERD THE WINNER

The New Zealand amateur billiaids. championship title was won last night by J. J. Shepherd, the present Auckland champion, who, in a closelycontested final at the R.S.A. Hall, won from a former champion, L. F. W. Holdsworth (also of Auckland), by 92 points in a match of 1500 up. Both contestants had shown excellent form in their previous engagements, and they carried this to the final, though the position was so close for most of the run of play that neither could afford to be over-venturesome. The final attracted a large gallery, many enthusiasts being unable to gain admission. During the afternoon session the scoring was fairly even, and at the interval Shepherd led by 752 to 698. The position remained close and interesting in the evening session until Shepherd scored 113 in one visit to the table. Just prior to that the lead

had been taken by Holdsworth, but it was by a matter of only a couple of points. Holdsworth responded again, but much of the advantage gained by Shepherd through his century break -..'as maintained. The final score was: Shepherd 1500, Holdsworth 1408. Best breaks were: 113, 48 (twice), 43, and 42 by Shepherd, and 71, 67, 51, and 40 by Holdsworth. At the conclusion of the match the president of the Wellington Billiards Association (Mr. H. J. Shanks) presented the trophies to the winner and runner-up, as well as a trophy to V. Choat (Chris'tchurch) as the scorer of the highest break outside the finalists. Congratulations were extended to the players, and appreciation expressed of the facilities provided by Billiards, Ltd., and the R.S.A. for the holding of the tournament. Tribute was also paid to the referee (Staff-Sergt. Meldrum) and the marker (Mr. G. Mcßae) for their part in a most successful tournament.