1956
We haven’t had any headlines from the Yorkshire Inter-District League that show Jack’s name being mentioned, largely because it is a team game and it usually says “Huddersfield” rather than naming an individual. This is obviously worthy of note as he wins by 190 in a 200 up game.
1957
After Jack gained a comfortable victory over the Earl of Mexborough, 1450 – 606, which included a break of 126 and many over 50, he then met Harold in the final. Harold had a good win over John Dunning, the very good snooker player from Morley, in his semi-final, 1265 -842.
After an hour of the match, Harold led by 401 – 145 thanks to a magnificent break of 176, which, under the new hazard rule, is a record for this competition. With the score at 565 – 207, Jack made his first break of note, 69, and shortly afterwards made a fine break of 145. He reduced the deficit a bit more before the end of the session but was still 166 behind at 656 – 490. On the second night Harold maintained his lead up to the interval when he led 916 – 771. After the interval there was a poor spell for both players until Jack made his magnificent break of 160, to leave him 15 in arrears. Harold pulled away with a break of 52 as time was running out and Jack was at the table with 32 unfinished when the bell went for time. A tense affair by two great players, who I’m sure congratulated each other at the end.
Just for a change we will have a photo, which is also in the photo section, but it’s a headline that deserves its place here as well. I think at this time of his life Jack enjoys the camaraderie of a team event as much as his individual success. I’m still very young at this stage, but I remember these gentlemen as Jack’s close friends at Paddock Conservative Club.
1958
1958
Not the greatest of finals with the highest break of 60 being the best. It might have been a case of Jack not being pushed to produce his best, as we saw in the match against Harold.
1958
Again, a headline from a Yorkshire League match rather than one from a Championship game.
1959
Jack had an easy match against Harold for a change, and it included a break of 125 which at the time was the highest in that years competition. Jack beat Harold in the Huddersfield Billiards Championship to make it 2 wins to 1 in Jack’s favour this season. It might take some time but I must try and find out how many times they met over the years.
Once again the two met in a semi-final, with Harold coming out victorious and going on to win his third title to add to those of 1953 & 54.
Jack played off -100 but did well to beat his opponent in the final of the Huddersfield Billiards League. However, the hero was reserve G White. Even with him giving 10 to his opponent he held his nerve to win the decider by 11. This brought the Billiards title to Paddock, to add to the Snooker title they won two years earlier.
1960
1960
The headline and report says it all as Jack won through to his second final of the Champion of Champions competition. He wasn’t in the competition as a Champion this year, as he had lost in the final of the Huddersfield Billiards Championship to his old clubmate Cyril Cadwell. He won the Huddersfield Billiards Championship in 1959 as he had done in 56, 57 & 58, so was entered into this competition last year, 1959-60 season, as a Champion. He went on to win it, beating C. Drake of Leeds at Lidget Green WMC, and therefore was in it again this year as defending Champion. At least that is what I thought but when you read the chapter of the season you will find out differently. He lost to G. W Lockwood of Bradford who had the remarkable feat of also winning the Snooker Champion of Champions, along with both the Yorkshire Billiards and Snooker Championships.
Jack Mellor 