BILLIARDS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 303, 11 September 1918, Page 6

BILLIARDS

N.Z. AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP. Yesterday afternoon at Alcock'e; rooms, Tucker contested with Hamilton, the right to play in the championship' finals. The game throughout was. closely contested, and until tho very last moment it was not possible to> judgo who would prove the winner. Hamilton was the first to get going, and in the earlier stages of the game: led his opponent, but lie never gained, a lead that was not readily recoverable. Towards halfway Tucker drew level,, and during the remainder of the gamo> was most frequently in front, although: , time and again the players passed ona another. When Tucker was 658, with, only 8 points to get, he failed at an ' easy shot, and/ left his opponent an ' excellent opening. Hamilton waa then 627. He, however, only managed to add 9 points to his score wheiu he failed on an easy winner and allowed his opponent to finish the game.. The best breaks were—Tucker: 34, 23,, 25, 29, 23, 35, 24, 30, 23. Hamilton: 21, 24, 24, 25, 24. 21, 34. , ' The game which was to have taken: place in the evening between Siedeberg, (the ex-New Zealand champion) and Goodwin failed to eventuate owing to sickness in the.latter's family. ,As &. large number of'people had gathered to witness the game, the Federal Club invited them all to come to their room, where they arranged with Crossan to play Siedeberg an exhibition gaine. This proved exceedingly interesting, as ' Crossan excels oii top-of-the-table play and Siedeberg is mainly a red loser exponent. Crossan got going early -in the game, securing very nearly a century at his third visit. His potting was a revelation; so, too, was his ability to extricate himself from difficulties and at the same time securing , advantageous positions. Siedeberg unfortunately did not show true form, but still was able to demonstrate that his ability with the cue was of no mean' order. To-night the first round in Kie final between Siedeberg, of Dunednj, and Tucker, of Wellington, will take place at Alcock's.