BILLIARDS DISPLAY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 254, 24 July 1935, Page 6

BILLIARDS DISPLAY

Versatile Exhibition LINDRUM AND McCONACHY IN FORM Walter Lindrum and Clark MeConachy yesterday afternoon and evening gave an exhibition of all-round billiards that probably lias not been excelled in Wellington. While nursery cannons- again played their part in the massing of big breaks, both players allowed with unmistakable clearness that they , realised variety was the spice of life. The result was that frequently throughout the two sessions they were playing shots that the average amateur billiards player has always to be attennitiiig when he is endeavouring to make his breaks. Thus the play in yesterday's sessions afforded an object lesson to every keen amateur and all who watched closely could scarcely have done otherwise than learn something that must lead to definite improvement in bis own game. With Lindrum and MeConachy, of course, positional play was everything. A -shot was not played merely because it was the obvious one. Nor, even when they were required to employ "screw," did they hit the balls hard. That fact alone provided an invaluable lesson for the keen amateur. In playing from baulk for an in-off they showed the advantage of "drag" in controlling their ball, ami also the effect of "side.” Of particular interest to the amateur was the manner in which they put "screw” on their ball when potting the red so that they would be in position for the next shot —generally a cannon that, would leave the retl near the pocket to be potted again, and enabling the process of potting and cannoning to be repealed almost indefinitely. Sometimes they potted the red with a slow shot ."Jlowing "side” and the cushion to take their ball into position. All these were shots that the amateur player has always to be making, and Limlrum and .MeConachy were actually going out of their way and minimising their chances of making huge breaks (for it involved separating the balls) in order to demonstrate them.

And yet they made big breaks. This was a clear indication that they are regaining that touch which is the result of continuous play, and before their season finishes on Saturday, night it will be surprising if a 1000 break is not exceeded. Lindrum’s best breaks yesterday‘were 435. 279, 135, and 108. MeConaehy's best breaks were 623, 321 (unfinished),. 176. and 132. At close of play Limlrum was 3234 and MeConachy (in plav)> 2485.

The game of snooker was won by McConachy, who showed how to pot. the object bal] and at the same time run his own ball into an easy position for the next shot.

Both -players continued their demonstration of how shots should be played to obtain the best results, MeConachy again enlisting the help of Mrs. MeConachy in his lesson on the best way of practising potting., Lindrum confined his attention mainly to demonstrating in-offs from anywhere about the table, and bringing the red ball back within a certain radius for an easy position to start a break of in-offs in the middle pockets. This again was an invaluably lesson to the amateurs. Lindrum also showed how to play "screw” cannons, and how to run through for an in-off. There will be a session this afternoon, at 3 o'clock and another to-night at 8 o'clock.