Nothing to say about last year. It seems as though Jack is, by this stage, only interested in what happens at the end of the season, as the last three or four years have only really reported on events in February to April. This year is no exception, as it is February before we really have anything to explore – and even then there are just two items. Even though there are only two there is quite a bit to report on though.
The Huddersfield team got revenge over Halifax in the Yorkshire League, after their defeat the previous year with a good display from Harold and Brian. Jack played first against an old rival, Albert Birkby, who he had beaten on many occasions. Albert got the better of Jack last year and he did the same this year, beating him by the score of 200 -100. Harold, who returned to the side after his recent illness, had the highest break of the night at 71, beating Colin Abbey 200 – 80 and giving Huddersfield a lead of 20 on aggregate. Brian played last against Peter Tasker, who was twice Yorkshire Champion and had recently beat John Dunning. Brian therefore had a difficult task on his hands. From the beginning, however, he took command to such an extent that Tasker was never really in the game. With breaks of 31, 38, 22 and 44, Brian finally won by 200 – 65 to give Huddersfield victory and have them sit at the top of the league after just three matches.
In the next game against Goole at Golcar Conservative Club, they again saw a comfortable victory with all three players winning: Brian 200 -132, Jack 200 – 63 and Harold 200 – 91. Unfortunately, we have no further reports so we don’t know whether they went on to win their section and go into the final.
Brian Cousen at the age of about 33 is now a very good player and is entering a lot of competitions – just as Jack did at the same age. Two years ago he lost to Harry Holroyd in the Yorkshire Area Final but this year he had qualified to play in the Northern Championship proper. When Jack qualified he had to travel down to Burroughes Hall in London, but now Brian faces the much shorter trip to Prescott, near St. Helens, just an hour away.
Jack Mellor 