BILLIARDS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1216, 26 August 1911, Page 12

BILLIARDS.

[By Marker.]

Can cx-markcrs become amateurs? In raising tho question in connection with billiards, H. A. Rumball has opened a highly controversial matter, but, at the same time, the maintenance of a pure amateur status in the gamo is, after all, the first consideration with the controlling body, and tho Ne.w South Wales champion deserves to bo complimented for his valorous contention.

Tho fact that Tinmball himself may bo affected in his defence of his title—if exmarkeis arc to be admitted to amateur billiards-is besido the point, and, in any case, ltumball intends to defend his title ivhoever comes iiu. It may be within tho power of the association to admit or "whitewash" any player, but the whole question is the desirability of departing from the strictest "amateur" definition. Tho more, one thinks of the game of billiards, and tho conditions under which it is played (and under which it is to bo learned),' tho mere c-ue must bo convinced that, perhaps, above all other sports, its very nature demands the strictest safeguarding of tho amateur status. So far as I have ever heard, -tho chief desire of the association has been to bar tho player who, by his connection with any public billiard-rocm, has opportunities for an intimate association with professionals for which ho pays nothing. Even assuming that a man in such a position does not actually make his living out of the game, he can devote all his time, day and night, to the game, and obtain direct or indirect coaching all free of charge, whereas the bone fide amateur (whoso entry into championship ranks is most' to be desired) must pay for all such luxuries at a pretty heavy rate if ho is restricted to a public room, and, at still greater expense, if ho equips himself with a table at his own house. Outsido tho purely amateur ranks thero aro plenty of prixes and tournaments provided, in which the various grades of professionals and semi-professionals can find full scopo for the exhibition of their skill. From the figures set out below it will ba seen that. Itceoe soundly defeated Lindrum in the final game of his tour. Australian journals assign various reasons for their frail youth's mediocro display. Ono savs: "Influenza." Another journal stales:—"Lindrum sacrificed his chances of scoring to a great extent by avoiding hazards in view of his ramo with Stovenson. "It would appear that Lindrum is as full of sacrifices as the prophet of old. Tho Australian is evidently failing, as ho did last vcar, when, after opening brilliantly, he faded and faded away. Following are tho figures:— ____________

Averages. T. Keece ; 40.4 F. Lindrum - c - 9 Final Scores. T. Roeco 8,000 T. Lindrum 4,508 As an exhibition of brilliant billiards, tho recent match between T. Kecco and 11. W. Stevenson will long bo remembered by those who wore fortunate enough In be present. Roeco was in great form, and, in the early stages (while Stevenson was feeling his way), liecco made most of his time, "and, indeed, it is not unlikely Hint, with a little more care now and again, Recce could have gone further ahead. Although, as eacli day passed, Stevenson improved materially, Keece always hold the champion safe, and eventually ran out a winner by '274 points. It is doubtful if Stevenson is wise in playing such long games as 18.000 up in Australia. With a small population of billiard enthusiasts, the rieniMiri* are a trifle too great, and, consequently, affect tho box ofiice. Nine thousand is a very fair test between even the host players, and these point* the British Billiard Association consider sv.flicicnlly long enough to decide tho English professional championship.

IIow Thoy Scored. I?. L K, L. K-. 1. Monday 133-1 SI10 20.8 1C.1 1331- 809 Tuesday 1331 727 CO.O 28.9 2(!li8 153(1 ■WcdiicKby 1332. 559 51.4 20.2 4000 2095 Thureday 13311290 3-1.8 33.8 5334 3385 Friday 1338 -185 51.1 18.7 0070 3S70 Saturday 1330 C3S 51.4 23.8 SOCO 450S