AMATEUR BILLIARDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23277, 23 August 1937, Page 6

AMATEUR BILLIARDS

OTAGO CHAMPIONSHIP WON BY E. N. STEWART The first Otago amateur billiards: championship, under the control of the local association, was concluded on Saturday night at the Returned Soldiers' Association Club Rooms, E. N. Stewart defeating C. Proctor, the final ? scores being Stewart 1000, Proctor 765. There was a large gathering of spectators to see the leader, by careful play, carry his overnight unfinished break to 69 before failing to negotiate a difficult losing hazard. This gave Stewart a useful lead, which he gradually increased at the seventyninth visit, the score read 693—460 in his favour. Until this stage Proctor had few opportunities, but by skilful all-round play he made several useful breaks, and at the, ninetieth visit he was only 100 points behind, 742-642. The leader, however, by exploiting the losing hazard game, went further ahead with breaks of 25, 21, 21, and 63, compiled in rapid succession. Proctor received well-earned applause for a well-judged double baulk cannon, but the leader, who was playing consistently, soon ran out the winner with an unfinished break of 24. At the conclusion of the game, Mr A. Bowie (chairman of the local association) congratulated both players on : their performances. He also expressed thanks to the Returned Soldiers' Association for the use of the match table, and to. the steward (Mr S. Ewans) for his- assistance. The prizes were-presented by Mr H. G. Siedeberg; the winner receiving a cup (to be held for one year), and a gold medal suitably inscribed. *-;>' The runner-up received a cue and case, while the prize for highest break outside of the finalists was won byr R. Lindsay, who made 61. ; • •': Mr Stewart, has taken a prominent part' in New'Zealand amateur., billiards' for, many years, but this wa« his fir*tJ' important- success; <„U he maintains hte r present iprmj he. Should; Mi well at tM natlQnar-champiohShip, %hich~#jll bfe commenced next vwe-sk. '?: z ' ■■■■■'£ ■< •- -■"'"■ ■ -