1958 – 59

In the Huddersfield Billiards Championship Jack reached the quarter-final with a walk over as Clifford Percival had to withdraw from the competition. Jack was drawn against Harold Burkinshaw for the third time in the season in the quarter-final and managed to beat him – but we do not know the score. Jack’s opponent in the semi-final, which would be played at Lindley Liberal Club, would be the Marsden Socialist player Willie Norcliffe. Neither of them played really well as only one break over 50 was made. Jack took the lead in the early stages and was never behind, leading 250 – 149 at the interval and when leading 425 – 295 he ran out with a 75 unfinished to take the match 500 – 295 and reach his fifth final in a row.

In the final, which would be played at Moldgreen Conservative Club, Jack would be playing his old team mate from Meltham, Cyril Cadwell, who was playing in his first final. The match was scheduled for the 23rd March but due to Jack being ill it was eventually played on the 15th April. After the match the Yorkshire Association Vice-President and Huddersfield President, Frank Fisher, would present the cup and prizes to the Huddersfield Billiards team for winning the Yorkshire League for the eighth season in succession. Jack started well in the final with early breaks of 30 and 58 to give him a lead 137 – 40. Cyril drew level with a break of 65 and despite reaching the 200 mark first, Jack was behind as Cyril, with a break of 66, led 243 – 214. It was at this point that Cyril took control of the game with a break of 107 either side of the interval and a further break of 36 gave him a lead of 398 – 243. The report says that “Mellor, the man behind, never looked quite as fluent as Mellor, the man in front, even when Cadwell had hit a unproductive spell”. Cyril had breaks of 69 and 42 unfinished to run out a worthy winner – adding the Huddersfield trophy to his Leeds Championship he had won earlier for a great double.

It looks as if Paddock Conservative Club is on the up as they have entered a team in the Huddersfield Billiards League this season, and Jack will be playing for them off minus 60. Another registered player was Brian Redfearn, a promising young man who played for the Huddersfield Junior side that played Holme Valley last year. He should improve his own style of play alongside a player of Jack’s calibre. Jack started well, winning his first three games with breaks of 84, 93 and 54 against opponents who had 105 and 75 start in a 200 up game. In the eighth game of the Non Political Billiards League Jack had a break of 123 against Sid Burhouse of Berry Brow Liberal Club. Just after Christmas, Paddock gave the league leaders, Lockwood Conservative Club, a shock by beating them 4-0. This defeat didn’t hurt Lockwood too much as they finished winners of the section and would meet Emley Reading Room WMC, winners of section ‘B’, in the play-off final. Emley beat Lockwood in an excellent final to win the Billiards League for the first time.

In the Huddersfield Snooker League Paddock had started ok and sat in fourth place with a quarter of the games played. At the halfway stage of the season Paddock were making a strong bid to retain their title as they were top of section ‘A’. After three quarters of the seasons fixtures, Paddock are still top of the league but have slipped recently. Bradley Mills WMC and Meltham Conservative are in joint second place and are only two points behind Paddock with Oakes in fourth, three points behind the leaders. Bradley Mills displaced Paddock at the top of the league: although on the same points, they had a better frames average but in the next to the last game they lost to lowly Police team. This loss left them one point behind Paddock and Meltham Conservative Club who were top on a better games average. All this meant a thrilling finish to the season in section “A”, with any of the three teams coming out the winner depending on the last games’ results. We don’t have any reports about those last matches but Meltham won the section. They then went on to beat Lockwood Conservative Club, winners of section “D” in the semi-final to meet Sisson’s, section “C” winners, who beat Linthwaite Hall WMC, section “B” winners, in the final. Sisson’s won the final by 4 frames to nil but two of the games had a re-spotted black.

In their defence of the Yorkshire Inter-District League Huddersfield got off to a good start against Leeds, with all three playing exceedingly well; the highlight being Jack’s break of 127. After that first game Johnny Boyle would be the reserve for the billiards team as Cyril Cadwell was now living in Kippax and could end up playing for Leeds in the competition.

After their loss to Wharfedale, Huddersfield were in second place to their victors, but are only two points to the good and have played a game more, so the next match at home to Bradford will be vital. In the Bradford match, Huddersfield were just behind after two games but Jack with a 37 points win secured victory to move them to the top of the table.

In the next match against Morley all three men were in excellent form and didn’t let any of their opponents score 100 points. Gladney played first and gave the side a good lead. Despite not making a big break he was consistent and never looked in danger of losing. Jack on second played T. Wood whom he had knocked out of the Champion of Champions competition. He took command from the start and had a big victory, winning with a 91 unfinished break. This meant that the aggregate was already won so all Harold had to do playing last was win to take maximum points – which he did easily. As their nearest rivals Bradford lost to Wharfedale; this meant that Huddersfield had won the league with a game to go.

Huddersfield finished the Yorkshire Inter-District League season in fine style with both the billiards and snooker teams securing victories over Ossett. Already assured of the League Championship the billiards team could have been forgiven for taking things easy but eight years at the top has bred a pride of achievement which does not allow for defeat, under any circumstance. Harold playing first had a long drawn out game which must have been one of the longest 200 points since being in the Huddersfield side. Gladney on second won with contemptuous ease and Jack playing last was never troubled, and ran out with the highest break of the night, 49 unfinished. So Huddersfield are once again Yorkshire Inter-District League Champions for the eighth successive year.