Australian Billiards & Snooker Council

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Minici Wins 9th NSW Billiards Title
17 Aug 2008

Joe Minici secured his 9th NSW Billiards Championship equaling the record for most wins in the championship’s 107 year history with L W Hayes (1926 - 1935) and A G Bull (1936 – 1962). All up Joe has made 14 finals in this event.

Joe won the 3 hour final 897–599 against George Chammas who, as commented by Joe, is by far the most improved NSW player over the past couple of years. George played his best billiards in the semi’s against Todd Hayward winning 593 – 407 in just 2 hours also achieving a 101 break Over the event George amassed breaks of 101, 82, 67, 60, 55 and 47 whilst Joe’s record was 121, 113, 94, 89, 72, 49, 46 and 40. The overall highest break was 139 from Todd Hayward in his match against Ron Baikie in the round-robin phase.

Recognition should be given to semi-finalist Grant Meadley who was a division two player only a few year’s ago and has certainly now earned his stripes as one of NSW’s best. There was some close quarter-final action with George Chammas tipping Roger Farebrother by just 3 points on the bell; Todd Hayward jumping Vic Sacco by just 10 after Vic led most of the match, and Joe Minici getting past Darren Martin by just 6 points. Grant Meadley won against Ron Tulloch 310 – 255. Ron also played some 1st class billiards beating Joe in one of the round-robin matches to secure a place in the play-off.

With the NSW Association subsidising a consolation plate this year we managed to achieve 22 entrants including 4 from Newcastle, one from Port Macquarie and 2 from the Illawarra. The consolation event was won by last year’s champion, Michael Pearson, against Vic Cravino scoring 845 to 305 in the 2 ½ hour final. Michael also achieved the Consolation Plate Highest Break of 131, with other breaks of 108 and 91, to the dismay of Vic who was sitting on a 95 from the semi’s.

I think all in attendance would agree with Joe’s comment that the event was very well run, and our thanks as always to Bill Hart for his management, Graham Willoughby for all his hard work in heading-up the Billiards sub-committee, the referees: Phil Tarrant, Steve Casey, Ross Wyard and Joe Saliba, and to all the spectators who attended through-out the event.

I would also like to acknowledge the great support received from Smithfield RSL Club in sponsoring and hosting the event again this year. Their support is most appreciated by all those involve in our sport. The club facilities are first class and staff were, as always, most helpful, courteous and friendly. We recommend Smithfield RSL to anyone looking for first class Billiards & Snooker facilities.

Next up is the NSW Minor Billiards Championship at Mingara in November with one or two handicap and/or ranking events before hand - please support the great game of billiards by playing or coming along to watch some of our best players in action.