THE annual Andrews-Atkins Shield, played between Tasmania and Victoria was held at the RACV Club in Melbourne over the weekend, with Victoria winning 6-5, in a cliffhanger.

Victoria led 2-1 after the first session.

Hobart's Gregg Watt gave Tasmania a good start, beating Charlie Chafe 4-1, however, Devonport's Bob Boucher lost 4-0 to Brendan Taylor and Steve Carroll lost to David Pitt.

Carroll's billiards match went to the wire, with the Hobartian losing by just 19 points after two hours.

In the second session, Launceston's Peter Donati, trailed John McKay early but produced some good billiards to win.

Devonport's Gerrard Wicks was too strong for the veteran Harry Andrews winning his snooker match 4-0.

Former Launceston player Tracy Bayliss, now playing for Claremont, came back from 3-2 down to win the women's snooker match 4-3.

Victoria won the junior match, with Cale Barrett, of Penguin, the Australian under- 15 snooker and billiard champion, losing close frames on the blue and pink to eventually lose 4-1 to Ryan Thomerson.

Hobart's Luke Webb, favoured to win for Tasmania, got behind 3-1 early, then rallied to 3-3 but went down in the deciding frame to Dale McKay.

The scores were level at 4-4 with the evening session to go.

Hobart's Les Higgins was heavy favourite to win against David Cosgriff so the shield was in the hands of Burnie's Brian Cole and Hobart's Wayne Stokes. Cole went down to Daryl Tippett 4-2 and Stokes, although always challenging, eventually lost to the Victorian captain Ron Cole by 80 points.

Tracey Bayliss was awarded the John McKay Medal for player of the tournament.

Billiards finals

WORKS Blue, which finished sixth in the Northern billiards roster, eliminated the third-placed Works Gold in the upset of the finals so far.

The fourth-placed Flaming Devils eliminated Exeter RSL and in the qualifying final, the ladder-leader Works Black went down to last year's premier Works Green.

This week Green takes on the Devils, with the winner going straight to the grand final, the loser to the preliminary final.

The cut throat semi-final is between Works Black and Works Blue - both matches are tomorrow night at the Working Men's Club.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS - ELIMINATION FINALS: Flaming Devils d Exeter RSL (Andrew Rainbow (275) d Adam Bindoff (295), Heath Rainbow (270) d Rex Swain (195), Josh Rainbow (315) d Derek Peart (290). The match between Roydyn Bishop and Chris Reid was not completed.

Works Blue d Works Gold, 3-1, Michael Leslie (230) d Rolf Stevenson (265), Peter Donati (95) d John Stevenson (275), Graeme Pickett (-90) d Gary Bjarnoe Elliott (140) and Hans Georgieff (240) lost to Steve Leary (265). Qualifying final, Works Green defeated Works Black, Lee Morcom (240) beat Bruce Lockley (225), George Zammitt (270) d David Bates (-90), Dean Wilson (255) d Peter Wallace (275) Glen Johansen (275) d Andrew Saltmarsh (230). Best breaks: Peter Donati 44, Graeme Pickett 37.

State eightball

THE state eightball teams premiership is to be held at the Working Men's Club over the weekend, featuring eight premiership teams from around the state.

It features four teams from the Southern competitions, two from Launceston, and one each from the Esk Association and Devonport.

More than 60 players will be on show, including past and current state players, in the two-day event starting at 9am Saturday and concluding at around 3.30pm on Sunday.

Hill exhibition

ENGLISHMAN Michael Hill, the reigning world eightball champion eightball and winner of 26 professional titles is to play exhibition matches at the Launceston Working Men's Club on Thursday, April 7.

Come along to see the man considered to be the best eightball potter in the sport's history. Call the club on 6334 2100, to book your tickets.

For more information go to the cue sport website, www.nteba.com.au or call the secretary on 0487171966.