Upset in Amateur Billiards and Snooker Championships 1955

The biggest boilover in the Southland amateur billiards and snooker championships for a long time was the defeat of two Southland champions in the semi-finals. S.R Baker, the reigning champ, was beaten by a newcomer in the name of C. Procter of Tuatapere.  J.S Proctor of Bluff a twice holder of the Southland title, was beaten by Des Branks, a member of the successful snooker-cricket combination of Branks and D. Frost.

Both Branks and Proctor who had nothing to lose and no expectations put on them, got away to good starts in the best three in a five game semi-finals. Each one the first two games and looked as though they were going to win unchecked but the champions fired back and won the next two games which made for very exciting billiards for the audience.
Being left to the 5th frame for a result Branks and Procter shone through and gained the win - despite being the underdogs.
With this win they both earned the right to contest the final.
Baker and Proctor have won 10 Southland titles between them. 
 J.S. Proctor won the billiards championships in 1946,1953 and 1955 and the snooker title in 1947 and 1948.  
S.R. Baker won the billiards titles in 1951,1952 and 1954 and the snooker title in 1953 abd 1956.

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