There was probably a lot to share about last year, but due to the lack of reports, all I can say for sure is that Jack continues to win things; including his eighth Huddersfield Billiards Championship and another Yorkshire League Championship. In previous years when he has seen that type of success, we have had many reports to fall back on and stories to tell. As we found out, he reached the Yorkshire Billiards semi-final, and there could have been some good games, but without any reports we can only guess at what they could be. The final of the Billiards Championship wasn’t a great spectacle with a 88 break on the first night, and a 98 on the second being the only real highlights. Without wishing to take anything away from Jack, it seems like it wasn’t so much about him winning as it was about Jack Firth losing. Does Jack continue to be successful because the opposition isn’t what it was in years gone by? We can only guess.
As was the case last year, there are few reports here and the first one comes from even later in than before. The April report mentions that Tommy Donlan is attempting to get to the final of the Huddersfield Snooker Championship with hopes to win it for the fifth time in six years. His opponent was Denis Rourke who had won the Junior Championship in 1963, 64 and 65 and is now a member of the Huddersfield Yorkshire League side. He holds the record for the highest break in the Huddersfield Open Snooker Championship – a break of 84, which he made in this years competition. Looking in the handbook we now know that Tommy didn’t beat Denis, who subsequently went on to win his first senior title. Between them, they dominated the next 18 years of the championship with Tommy winning 8 and Denis winning 7. That rivalry in snooker must have been on a par with Jack’s and Harold’s in billiards.
In the semi final of the Huddersfield Billiards Championship, Jack beat his old mate, Harold Burkinshaw with a score of 400 – 283. Some good billiards was seen at Marsh Conservative Club, as these two stalwarts of Huddersfield billiards and snooker lock horns for the umpteenth time. At the interval Jack led by 201 – 181 in a first half which saw Harold make a break of 103. Jack then followed with a break of 79. In the second half Jack took command and, with a break of 108, made sure of victory.
With very few reports I’ll let you read what I have to tell regarding the story of the final and Jack’s ninth title.
With Jack approaching his 53rd birthday, it seems he can still produce the goods when needed. A magnificent break of 133 unfinished allowed him claim his ninth title, proving that there is still life in the old dog yet. Firth must feel very unlucky to have met Jack in his three final appearances, 1958, 66 and again this year.
In the last match of the Yorkshire Inter-District Billiards League, Huddersfield entertained Leeds at Golcar Conservative Club with Leeds having a one point lead – but with seven points up for grabs it can go either way. Brian Cousen playing first was the first to reach 100 but his opponent made a break of 77 to go ahead, and never looked back, winning 200 – 152. This meant that Jack and Gladney had to win both of their games as well as the 48 deficit in aggregate in order to take the 5 points required for the title. Gladney playing second, had a break of 89 and looked set for a comfortable victory; but his opponent didn’t give up and fought back to be 30 in arrears. With the game still to be won at 160 – 130, Gladney kicked on and ran out a 200 – 148 winner. So it all fell on the last match – Jack took command and played an outstanding game. With breaks of 53 and 45 unfinished, Jack never gave his opponent a chance, winning 200 – 68. Two seasons with Gladney back in the side at the age of about 61 saw Huddersfield win and retain the Yorkshire Billiards League – a ninth win to add to their previous eight consecutive wins, between the years of 1951 – 1958.
Jack Mellor 