First-timer takes out championship

David Bates 2011 NTB&SA Billiards Champion

27 Feb, 2011 01:00 AM
LAUNCESTON'S David Bates yesterday won the Northern Tasmanian Billiards championship at his first attempt.

The former Victorian beat defending champion Graeme Pickett, of Launceston, 616 points to 422 in the two-hour final played at the Launceston Workers Club.

The last hour of the final proved exciting as Pickett drew back to within 40 points after Bates established an early lead.

But Bates responded with a 98-point break to put the title beyond doubt.

The day's competition started with eight players involved in quarter final matches of 90 minutes duration followed by semi-finals.

Bates beat the No.2 seed and 2010 runner-up Peter Donati in his semi-final while Pickett accounted for Longford's Adrian White in his semi.

Both Northern finalists have qualified for the state billiards championship.