BILLIARDS CHAMPIONSHIP

Evening Star, Issue 23657, 17 August 1940, Page 5 (Supplement)

BILLIARDS CHAMPIONSHIP

E. N. STEWART WINS AGAIN The final of the Otago amateur billiards championship was commenced last Monday evening at the R.S.A. rooms before a large attendance. The finalists were E. N. Stewart and C. Mason. Both players were slow to begin, and at the,seventh cue the score was 38 all. Mason was first to get into his stride, and with a break of 43 reached 90 when Stewart’s score was 39. The latter retaliated with a 38 break, followed immediately afterwards by a 42, the score board reading 123120 in his favour. With the scores 164 all, Mason made another break of 43. His next best effort was 29, but Stewart was scoring consistently all the time, and they were almost level at 230. Mason then added 27, followed by a 37, and when Stewart’s score was 279, Mason’s total was 327. Stewart then got going, and by breaks of 37 and 25 evened up the scores at 366. He then took the lead and reached 400, when Mason’s score was 389. A period of safety play then ensued, and the scoring slowed down, the scores at the fifty-third cue being 443 to 433 in Stewart’s favour. The latter then made a 42 break and ran to his session points with an unfinished break of 14, whilst Mason’s score was 436.

The game was continued on Tuesday evening, when there was again a very large attendance, including a number of lady patrons. Continuing, Stewart added 8 to his unfinished break of 14, and at his next visit compiled 45, which gave him a lead of over 100. Mason reduced the deficit to 69, but Stewart again forged ahead, and with a break of 54 regained his lead of 100. He increased this to 150, hut Mason retaliated with 55. A few cues later Stewart replied with 45, making his score 819 to Mason’s 756. The latter again fought back, and with a 61 break reduced his deficit to 57. He then had a lapse whilst Stewart continued to score freely, making breaks of 26 and 28. The latter reached 900 when Mason’s total was 801. Mason reduced Stewart’s lead with a break of 30, and at the hundredth visit to the table Stewart led, 938 to 863. He added a break of 54, and Mason replied with 13, making his score 876. _ On his next visit Stewart ran out a winner with an unfinished break of 8, thereby winning the championship for the fourth year in succession by 124 points. Stewart made breaks of 54, 54, 45, 42, 42, 38, 37, .28, 26, 25, 24, and 23, and he had 102 visits to the table. His average was just under 10.

Mason’s test efforts were 61, 55, 49, 43, 43, 37, 30, 29, 27, 24, and 23. To sum up tie game, Stewart relied chiefly on the losing hazard for his points, but ho also executed some pretty run-through cushion hazards. He played with great confidence throughout, and when he got the red ball in the centre of the table he was always dangerous. The new rule limiting the number of successive hazards to 15 has cramped Stewart’s mode of play somewhat in that he has to break up his favourite position to comply with the rule. Mason is a stylish cueist to watch, and, although he can also play the red loser, he concentrates on top-of-the-table play. Ho was not very fortunate with the run of the balls, but nevertheless got out of some awkward positions with delightful shots. He missed several very easy corner pocket losing hazards endeavouring to obtain his top-of-the-table position, The tournament was well conducted, and created great interest. _ The Otago Amateur Billiards Association’s aim is not out only to raise the standard of billiards in Dunedin, but to place the_ game in a position which it should rightly occupy amongst the great British sports and pastimes. Conducted as the tournament was, and with the same healthy spirit amongst the various contestants, the game cannot fail to command greater public interest. Amongst the spectators at every session throughout the tournament was the patron of the New Zealand Billiards Association, Mr Harry Siedeberg, who was the New Zealand champion on four occasions. Although failing eyesight has compelled him to give up the game, ho is still one of the keenest supporters. Before concluding, a tribute must be paid to another veteran, Mr Alec Greig, who marked most of the games. Mr Greig is also a swimming enthusiast,’ and has materially helped many Otago swimmers to attain New Zealand championship honours.