BIG BILLIARDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 765, 11 September 1929, Page 13

BIG BILLIARDS

CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRESS E. V. Roberts, the title-holder, defeated W. E. Hackett in a further match lor tho Auckland provincial amateur billiards championship, in Messrs. Billiards, Ltd. showrooms last evening. Hackett had the better of the opening stages, and took the lead by making breaks of 35 and 21. Both played tho red ball well, and Hackett, who was in his best form, made splendid breaks of 77 and 58 by this method. The former break consisted of the 25 limit on hazards, the striker being compelled to play for safety if his opponent’s ball is off the table. The limit is rarely reached by amateur players in ordinary games, let alone championship contests, and it is really a great achievement for an amateur. These breaks gave Hackett a commanding lead, tho scores being 207 to 75. Roberts, however, rose to tho occasion, and ran up breaks of 2S, 37 and 24, reducing the lead somewhat. Hackett then replied with further efforts of 31 and 21. Roberts was soon in again, and compiled a neat all-round effort of 44, the scores at this stage being 349 to 292.

The game thus far was a splendid one for amateurs. A line all-round break of 53 by Roberts evened up the scores, he being only four points behind. Hackett continued to play steadily, adding a run of 35. Roberts passed the 400 mark first, a few points only in the lead. A 44 break by Roberts at this stage swung the game in his favour. Hackett responded gamely with a 21 break, having bad luck to misjudge a fine in-off. His opponent, however, did not take much advantage of the good leave, adding only 10 to his score. Roberts clinched tho game soon afterward by running to points with an unfinished 28 break.

The final scores were:—E. V. Roberts, 500; breaks of 26, 28, 37, 24, 44, 53, 44 and 28 unfinished: average, 9. W. E. Hackett, 433; breaks of 35, 26, 77, 58, 31. 22. 35 and 21; average, S.