1953
Both these pieces were in the same report: “Half Butt” the reporter seems to play the devil’s advocate. On one hand he is quick to tell us abut Jack’s brilliance, but on the other he is even quicker to report the “STARS” failure. This is a theme that repeats every year while Jack played in the Halifax League.
Jack was in great form as from 29 minutes up to the interval, he had breaks of 75, 11, 63 and 86, plus two small breaks to lead 250 – 14. His 6 visits to the table meant he averaged 41.66. After the interval he had a break of 63, before he ran to his points with an unfinished 116.
1953
Jack continues to make headlines.
Jack registered a record in this match by scoring two century breaks in one leg of the Halifax Amateur Championship.
Jack won the first of his three Halifax and District Amateur Billiards Championships against one of Halifax’s stalwarts, Billy Bolton, who incidentally won the Huddersfield Championship in 1949.
1953
The report goes on to say that many local players are of the opinion that Jack shouldn’t have been allowed to play, owing to not residing in the district. It mentions that, unless they bring in a residential qualification, being a member of a club will serve as eligibility.
The first headline says that Brindley had a narrow lead of 46, 500 – 454, despite a magnificent break of 108 by Jack on the first night of the final. The lead changed hands on several occasions on the second night and Jack looked favourite to win when leading 906 – 824 – however, Brindley fought back with small breaks to snatch victory from Jack.
Jack Mellor 