BILLIARDS CHAMPIONS

Evening Post, Issue 20, 23 July 1935, Page 3

BILLIARDS CHAMPIONS

LINDRUM AND M CCONACHY

OUT FOR NEW RECORDS

A welcome to the world's billiards champion, Walter Lindrum, cf Australia, and to the New Zealand champion, I Clark McConachy, was given at the i V.M.C.A. yesterday prior to the start of the billiards match in which these famous players are to endeavour to set up a new record. Among those present was the Minister of Education, the Hon. S. G. Smith, and he and the competitors were met by Mr. R. H. Nimmo (president of the V.M.C.A.), Mr. L. J. Greenberg' (general secretary), and members of the Board of Governors of the V.M.C.A. "We look upon billiards, played in the proper surroundings, as the king of indoor games," said Mr. Nimmo in mentioning that the Board of Directors and the general membership of the V.M.C.A. considered it an honour to have been approached by the world's champion to have the match staged at the V.M.C.A. "It is a game that calls for concentration and a great degree of skill and self-control." Wellington, he said, was fortunate in having the opportunity of seeing a match between players of the calibre of Lindrum and McConachy. He had great pleasure in welcoming the noted players and also the Hon. S. G. Smith, who, too, was a very keen sportsman. "NOTHING BETTER." Mr. F. W. Vosseler, in explaining the nature of the match and points to be- noted during the run of play, especially in connection with the balk-line rule, said that the match was unquestionably the biggest billiards event that had ever been held in New Zealand. Nothing better could be held in any part of the world, and it was to be expected that there 'would be some remarkable billiards and some phenomenal scores. Having always been intensely interested in sport, the Minister of Education said that he had followed with interest the doings of these noted billiard players, and it had been a great pleasure to him to read, on his return from Marlborough, the accounts of the matches played recently in Taranaki. There, as elsewhere, he was sure that those interested would learn much through the visit of these champions, whose tour he was sure was doing a great deal for this great game. He congratulated the V.M.C.A. authorities upon having their room selected for the match. In joining with the others in welcoming the players, the Minister wished the players success, and added that they were inculcating into the youth of this country something of advantage. "We are going to try to make the best break to date in billiards," remarked Walter Lindrum in briefly replying. "If we make it in Wellington it will give us much pleasure All we need is the best encouragement." OPENING PLAY. From the break-up by McConachy, the balls were left in a good position for Lindrum, who immediately set about piling up points. By all-round play, in which a run of nursery cannons was a feature, the world's champion ran to 219 in quick time, and there he broke down. Taking the balls from near a top pocket on the short distance to a centre pocket, Lindrum played almost fifty cannons. He compiled his first 200 in twelve minutes. McConachy did not have much success in the early stage's, but as the players settled down they both gave evidence in plenty of their mastery. During the afternoon and evening sessions they put on some big breaks, and not only was their play a revelation but also an education, it being part of their plan to educate the onlookers. The principal breaks during the sessions were: By Lindrum, 553, 254, 238, 219, 190, and 125;-by McConachy. 208, 166, and 132. At the end of the day's play the scores were: Lindrum 1784, McConachv 997.

After each session the players gave snooker exhibitions, and then demonstrated the various strokes and pointed out other essentials to success at the game. Mrs. McConachy assisted her husband during part of the demonstration. These lessons, being given for the first time, are to be continued at all sessions as the match proceeds. There are two sessions daily, one at 3 p.m. and the other at 8 p.m.