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Originally Posted by 100-uper
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This profile from the Billiard Payer (1952) ............
Tom Jones was born at Abertillery, in 1899. He is one of our most distinguished amateur cuemen, and has a grand record. He started playing at 13, at the. village of Crumlin, and made his first 100 at 14. In the early 20's, he used to play at the Miners' Welfare Institute at Crumlin and he went on to win numerous trophies for them including the Welsh Championship in 1933 and 1934. In 1932, he was beaten by Sidney Lee (the champion) in the Amateur Championship after a previous win (v. F. W. Wood, in which he made breaks of 164, 110 and 108), and next year he had the honour of representing Wales in the British Empire Championship, finishing 2nd to Sidney Lee, beating Allen Prior (S. Africa), M. Smith (Scotland) and J. Blackburn (N. Ireland), with a top break of 144. In his game with Lee he led, half-way, 1,290-921. His average for the 4 games was 18.65.
In the 1934 Amateur Championship, he lost to Lee again, after 2 wins. In 1936 he left Wales for London and played at Hatch Liberal Club, New Cross. While here, he won many events, including the "News of the World" Snooker Championship. At present he plays at Hayes W.M. Club (Middlesex). Perhaps his finest feat in the Amateur Championship was in 1939, when he beat Frank Edwards. 2,835-2,235, making 5 centuries, including 192, and had an average of 20.39. In the semi-final he lost to Arthur Spencer. Some of his finest performances have been in the Club and Institute Union championships. He won the snooker event in 1939, '40, '41, '42, '46, '48 and '51. In the Billiards Championship, he won the title in '40. '46 and '48. In this respect he would like to pay tribute to Mr. G. F. Ding, the Recreation Secretary, for his efficient organization of the events.
Jones has captured the London title (Amateur Championship) twice in '47 and '49, and this year he was runner-up in the London Snooker Section. Perhaps no amateur or professional has ever had an easier and more free-flowing style. When in form. Jones passes the classical test of fine billiards, he makes scoring look like child's play. He plays quickly and confidently, and altogether can be said to be a genuine artist and one of the best amateurs in billiards history. His top break (billiards) is 344 (snooker) 91. Ill-health has handicapped him in recent years. We are pleased to pay tribute to this outstanding exponent of the game. [BP0252 p.10]
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