Fine Snooker Exhibition By Champion

Chronicle (Levin), 19 April 1948, Page 2

Fine Snooker Exhibition By Champion

A large and interested number of spectators attend'ed Mr. Edgar Wilton's billiard saloon at Otaki Railway on Thursday night to witness games between Mr. Peter Mons, South African snooker champion, and several local players. The shots shown were a revelation, and it was gratifying to see that several local snooker aspirants were taktng part. The visitor paid the ;players high complimentr and fre"quently applauded their shots. •• Mr. H. L. Cameron was present and recorded shots. Prior to the commencement of play he said it was very gratifying to see such a splendid attendance, and to be able to greet not only men, but lady enthusiasts. He hoped the play by Mr. Mons would be enjoyed, and extended hearty thanks to Mr • ' Wilton for the great interest he had taken, and for making his- saloon available for games. It was due to Mr.. Wilton's foresight that Mr. Mons was given the opportunity of appearing in Otaki, and enjoying games with local players. Mr. Mons, Lri. various parts of the world, had put up some splendid scores. He was now on his way to Australia. ' Mons conceded each of his opponents 42, a . creditable handicap and one which was . taken advantage of by some of the players. • The first opponent was Tom Gray, , Who opened in good style, securing 69 points to the champion's 16. After this he lost points but so did the visitor, and the actual score at the conclusion of the game was in favour of Mons by 95 to 89. It' was a most interesting exhibition, and the visitor proved what it was possible to do with difficult shots. Gray, on the other hand, played a remarkably fine game, and was warmly congratulated by the visitor on the display. The second game was with Rob. Hannah, a youth who possesses a good deal cff- snooker talent. He showed a splendid knowledge of the game and immediately set off with a 24 break. He had scored 89 points to the champion's 14. This. he increased to 117 by good, steady play. Mons still remained well in the background, and Hannah secured a win that was heartily applauded. Mons, at the conclusion of play, spoke very highly of Hannah's ability as- a snooker player, and predicted great things for him. He, with others, expressed a wish to see him take part in championship matches. Dick Hoone was Mons' next opponent and this player also did well, some of his shots being exceptional. Mons, however, made a break of 65, which was warmly applauded, and which gave him a lead of 82 to 57. He followed with a 20 break and ran out a winner by 102 to 57. B. Julius then faced" the cham- " pion and although he gave points away at the commencement, he soon settled down to his game and had a lead of 76 to 49, later 82 to 56. Julius finally emerged as victor by 90 to 77. W. Wilton immediately started ofi at a good pace, making a break of 16. Mons responded with a break of 20 and then one of 46. The score was 77 all with four balls on the table, but Mons, playing some excellent shots, scored 95 to his opponent's 77. Frank Boggs was- the next aspirant, but both players immediately lost four shots on the opening play. Then Mons, amidst applause, made a break of 41, Boggs following with a break of 16. The visitor, how.ever, was in good form, and he soon had a lead of 74 to 62. Boggs, by good play, made the score 79 all. Another substantial break by Mons saw him emerge a winner by 96 to 85. Edgar Wilton's game with the champion proved an exhibition one v — for the champion — who started off with a break of 28. followed by a break of 92. In this some very fine shots were noticeable, and Wilton was nothing more than a spectator, although as a snooker player he is renowned. Mons, however, gave .hirn no chance, ahd while Wilton had not "broken his egg," Mons had scored no less than 142. This game saw some very fine play by the champion, who "snookered" the ball r^peatedly. Bob Henderson was the next contestant, but Mons made a break of 32 at the start, Henderson's best break for the first few shots being seven. Mons then followed with a break of 40, scored 81 to 50 and finally 99 to 60. In this game Mons gave a good exhibition, some of his shots being regarded as remarkable. Later in the evening, after Mrs. Wilton had provided an appetising supper, fully appreciated, Hannah led' off with a seven break, then lost four. Mons made tWo breaks immediately following. one of 23 and the other of 48. He ran his score to 78 to 51, finally being in the lead 96 to 64. In this match some of the best play of the evening was witnessed and there is no doubt. that Hannah, a mere youth, will 'go far in the snooker game. This was predicted by Mr. Cameron, who had charge of the evening's entertainment. His remarks were supported . by Mr. Harry Mason, chairman of the Commercial Travellers' Billiard Cub, who was among the ,' guests. Mons' final score was 96 to 64. •Some fancy shots were then Shown by Mr. Mqns, who( played

, : balls from wh'at appeareed to bc impossible positions. In one instance ' all balls were laid hcv c against the ! cushion. He named his colour and ! potted it Without trouble. He : admitted that such shots needed : practice. He placed three balls togetheu, played the middle one, for it to return and takc up its posi- ' tion as before. It was a neat shot, ' but nicely executed. He showed , how balls could be potted when ' hard up against the cushion, the • balls rolling gradually and neatly into the pockets. He then gave an [.exhibition of quick shooting, placing no less" than six balls in a • j pocket while one that he had i previouslp hit reached its objecI tive. ; Mr. Mons stated that he would , 'play three or four more games in New Zealand before proceeding to Australia. He considered that dur;ing his travels he had met the best ! players of any country in New Zea- ' land, and it was with pleasure that , he offered the Otaki players his I I congratulations cn- their splendid ; all round play. Some of the Otaki players, he Considered, would. become champions, but he advis.ed them to keeep to practice. He stat- . ed that if they -kept in touch with ; Mr; Cameron he" would see that they received every consideration dn big matches, and he hoped to hear of them being championship j winners. . After thanking ali for the enjoyable evening provided, .Mr. Edgar Wilton expressed warm appreciation at the attendance, but more so at having Mr. Mons present. He referred to his display of snooker 'as very- pleasing. Thanks were exItended to others who had assisted ,in the evening's entertainment. Mr. Mons. before leaving Otaki, 1 stated to our representative that he I considered Rob. Hannah one of the most promising players he had met fotf the last 20 years, 1