By Staff Reporter
Playing copybook billiards the England and former World title holder Leslie Driffield took a handsome lead over India’s Chandra Hirjee at the end of the first day ‘s play in the final match of the current World Amateur championship at the Great Eastern Hotel on Monday night. After four hour’s play Driffield led by 1892 points to 1105, Hirjee being 63 in play.
If Driffield Wins this match he will finish runner-up to Wilson Jones to whose credit stands the for the current tournament.
The first two hour’s play in the Driffield- Hirjee match developed into a tense battle of attrition in which the pot- White- and –double baulk gambit was restored to frequently as each player attempted to keep the other safe . While Driffield exercised meticulous care. Hirjee played carelessly and missed a number of easy shots.
Driffield, nevertheless , made a slow start and was concerned in five blank visits before a break of 103 put him in front. At the end of an hour’s play Hirjee led by 354 points to 342 but Driffield soon got ahead with a break of 67. Hirjee might not have been in his predicament .
If he had curbed his enthusiasm earlier .When he had scored 31 he had close cannon position at the top of the table but instead of using the rest preferred to over- reach and miscued. Driffield stepping in immediately to make a century break.
As play moved well into the second hour Driffield had up a sizable lead
But Hirjee fought back gallantly and when the interval came Driffield led only by 802 points to 737 Hirjee being left with the privilege of striking immediately on resumption. But Hirjee could do no more than score four points and the first hour of the second session belonged .Largely to Driffield. He settled down to big break building and by the end of his tenth visit had chalked up a magnificent break of 323 which enabled him to lead by 815 points.
FAILED TO SUSTIAN
Hirjee failed to sustain his effort in the second session and apart from missing a number of easy shots, left things on very nicely for Driffield. Even When Hirjee attempted to leave things safe. Driffield when came up with a clever follow – through or a screw hazard to recover position. When the day ended Hirjee was going great guns and had 63 to the credit as time was called but Driffield was in a commanding position.
The following are the particulars of Driffield’s three – figure breaks :
First session
10th visit 103 (7 min.20 sec)
12th visit 125 (7 min 37 sec)
Second Session
3rd visit 147 (10 min 40 sec)
5th visit 152 (10 min 56 sec)
9th visit 106 (11 min 51 sec)
11th visit 323 (25 min 15 sec)
Hirjee’s three figures breaks were as follows
First session
12th visit 110 (5 min 27 sec)
30th visit 144 (7min 11 sec)
Second session
7th visit 105 (6 min 43 sec)
Breaks of 50 and over were as follows :
Driffield – 64, 67, 70 , 69, 94, 91, 64.
Hirjee.- 56, 98, 61.
Today’s Match
Second Day – L. Driffield (England) vs. Hirjee (India) – 5.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.
Playing copybook billiards the England and former World title holder Leslie Driffield took a handsome lead over India’s Chandra Hirjee at the end of the first day ‘s play in the final match of the current World Amateur championship at the Great Eastern Hotel on Monday night. After four hour’s play Driffield led by 1892 points to 1105, Hirjee being 63 in play.
If Driffield Wins this match he will finish runner-up to Wilson Jones to whose credit stands the for the current tournament.
The first two hour’s play in the Driffield- Hirjee match developed into a tense battle of attrition in which the pot- White- and –double baulk gambit was restored to frequently as each player attempted to keep the other safe . While Driffield exercised meticulous care. Hirjee played carelessly and missed a number of easy shots.
Driffield, nevertheless , made a slow start and was concerned in five blank visits before a break of 103 put him in front. At the end of an hour’s play Hirjee led by 354 points to 342 but Driffield soon got ahead with a break of 67. Hirjee might not have been in his predicament .
If he had curbed his enthusiasm earlier .When he had scored 31 he had close cannon position at the top of the table but instead of using the rest preferred to over- reach and miscued. Driffield stepping in immediately to make a century break.
As play moved well into the second hour Driffield had up a sizable lead
But Hirjee fought back gallantly and when the interval came Driffield led only by 802 points to 737 Hirjee being left with the privilege of striking immediately on resumption. But Hirjee could do no more than score four points and the first hour of the second session belonged .Largely to Driffield. He settled down to big break building and by the end of his tenth visit had chalked up a magnificent break of 323 which enabled him to lead by 815 points.
FAILED TO SUSTIAN
Hirjee failed to sustain his effort in the second session and apart from missing a number of easy shots, left things on very nicely for Driffield. Even When Hirjee attempted to leave things safe. Driffield when came up with a clever follow – through or a screw hazard to recover position. When the day ended Hirjee was going great guns and had 63 to the credit as time was called but Driffield was in a commanding position.
The following are the particulars of Driffield’s three – figure breaks :
First session
10th visit 103 (7 min.20 sec)
12th visit 125 (7 min 37 sec)
Second Session
3rd visit 147 (10 min 40 sec)
5th visit 152 (10 min 56 sec)
9th visit 106 (11 min 51 sec)
11th visit 323 (25 min 15 sec)
Hirjee’s three figures breaks were as follows
First session
12th visit 110 (5 min 27 sec)
30th visit 144 (7min 11 sec)
Second session
7th visit 105 (6 min 43 sec)
Breaks of 50 and over were as follows :
Driffield – 64, 67, 70 , 69, 94, 91, 64.
Hirjee.- 56, 98, 61.
Today’s Match
Second Day – L. Driffield (England) vs. Hirjee (India) – 5.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.