SNOOKER

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 7 (Supplement)

SNOOKER

OTAGO AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL MONDAY NIGHT Following are the results of games in the Otago amateur championship:— FIRST ROUND. L. Hardy beat L. Oliver, 2-0; J. Pearce beat W. Lister, 2-0; E. N. Stewart beat S. Sawyer, 2-0: E Bringans beat A. Bowie, 2-1. In this round Hardy and Stewart gave brilliant exhibitions, while young Sawyer showed that with more experience in competitive play he should become a top-notcher. The titleholder, Bringans, had a narrow escape in his game against Bowie. The latter had a lead of 24, with only four balls on the table; but a lucky snooker on the brown, followed by four clean pots, gave Bringans a narrow victory by the odd frame. SECOND ROUND. E. N. Stewart beat P. Guyton, 2-1. L. Hardy beat A. Marshall, 2-1. E. Bringans beat J. Pearce. 2-1. C. Mason beat C. Proctor, 2-0. C. Mason gave a delightful exhibition of snooker in his game against Proctor, approaching the century mark in both games. SEMI-FINAL. E. N. Stewart beat E. Bringans (holder), 2-0. L, Hardy beat C. Mason, 2-0. This round gave a surprising result in the defeat of the titleholder, Brin-

gans, by Stewart, present Otago amateur billiards, champion. Stewart won the first game by a comfortable margin, after a goo‘d display; and in the second game Bringans staged a wonderful recovery to make a dead-heat. On the black being spotted again, Stewart, played safety, but left a comparatively easy pot in the middle pocket, which Bringans unaccountably missed l . Hardy had a clear-cut win over Mason in the other game, the latter being dead out of touch and unable to do anything right. The final, which will be played on the standard match table of the R.S.A. on Monday, commencing at 7.30 p.m., should be a splendid struggle, and there should be a large attendance of enthusiasts to witness the game. Hardy was runner-up last year, and is probably the best snooker player in Dunedin., Stewart, of course, is better known at the three-ball game, or rather the two-ball game, for he is undoubtedly the best losing hazard in New Zealand, and a worthy successor to Harry Siedeberg. As announced in our advertising columns, the final will be decided on the best three out of five games, and enthusiasts are invited to bring their ladv friends to witness what should be a keen and interesting contest.