AMATEUR BILLIARDS

Evening Star, Issue 18336, 25 July 1923, Page 9

AMATEUR BILLIARDS

NEW {ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP. ' LOCAL PLAY KBS BAG-AGED. FIRST ROUND IN PROGRESS. For the first time in its history the New Zealand amateur billiards championship is being held in Dunedin. It was commenced yesterday afternoon in the Returned Soldiers’ Club, in Moray place, and will bo continued, in afternoon and evening sessions, for about a week. There were eleven entries, but only ton competitors, W. R. Howard (Mosgie!) having withdrawn. Excellent arrangements have been made tor both spectators arffi competitors. The seating accommodation is well arranged, so that evervono gets a clear view of the (aide. Special attention had been given to the table to have it in first-class "condition, and apparently those responsible have succeeded very well. There wore about fifty at the afternoon session yesterday, but not so many in the evening.

In the afternoon A. Lindsay (Dunedin) defeated R. Fraser (Dunedin) by 751 to 415, and in the evening E. N. Stewart (Dunedin) beat E. A. Walsh (Dunedin) bv 752 (o 532.

The preliminary games a-rc of 750 up, and the final will be 2.C00 up, played in three sessions. OFFICIAL OPENING.

Tlio tournament was declared officially opened yesterday afternoon by the mayor (Mr IT. L. Tapley). Tho Rev. Hector Maclean (president of tho Returned .Soldiers’ Association), who introduced tho mayor, said the association felt it an honor to have the imrnanicnt placed in its club. The Billiards Committee bad gone to n great deal of trouble to make tho arrangements as satisfactory ns possible, and be trusted that what bad been done would meet with tho approv'd of the competitors. Ho hoped that the competitors would use the club rooms whenever they wanted them, as tho association would be pleased to place everything at their disposal. The speaker suggested that the competitors should give the spectators a load in the matter of smoking. Ho did not know how they felt about it, but it seemed that smoking dimmed the atmosphere. He had no doubt that if any objection were raised 1 by those who were playing tho spectators would accede to any request to refrain from smoking.

The Mavor said ho felt it a. privilege to bo. asked to formally declare the tournament open. Before doing so ho wished to extend, on behalf of the citizens of Dunedin, a hearty welcome to the visitors. This .was the first time that, the billiard championship had been played in this citv. He hoped the stay of the visitors would prove as pleasant as it had-proved in other parts of New Zealand where tournaments had been held. He was sure that those responsible for (ho tournament were to be congratulated on having seemed the organisation of the Returned Soldiers’ Association and holding the play in such a splendid building. He knew that anything that was taken up by the association was done well, and Tie was satisfied that anything left in the able hands of Mr Taring would bo done in ■ a wav that would leave nothing to lie desired on the part of the players or spectators. The speaker went on to express 1 pleasure at the fact that Mr Roberts, I of Auckland, the present champion, was j competing again this year. Ho was confi- ! dent that the exhibitions given hero would result in billiards receiving -a great i stimulus, and that the spectators would pick up a good many points that would help them afterwards. Billiards was one ;of our most popular indoor games, and was a pastime that really grew on one. The tournament would provide a fine opportunity to watch good players and i pick up points so that they could im- ! prove, their own game. One of the competitors was IT. G. Sicdcborg, who had won the championship several limes, and there were oilier champions in the contest. Although it was hoped that the best man would win. they would naturally like to see a Dunedin competitor successful. Ho hoped the tournament would prove a, great success, and that the residents of the city who were enthusiastic billiard players would take advantage of tho opportunity of witnessing tho play. Tho speaker concluded by railing on R. Fraser and A. Lindsay to take the table. (Applause.) FIRST ROUND. A. Lindsay 751 beat R,. Fraser 415. It wns evident after the first 100 had been reached and the players had accustomed themselves to the conditions that Lindsay wns the superior player. He steadily forged ahead and won comfortably by over 300. Though Fraser was beaten by a better player, it must be admitted that he did not play up to form, and frequently missed shots which he seldom misses in everyday play. There was little “fluking” by either player.

Winner's best breaks; 74, 47, 59, 37, 30, 31, 29, 27. Loser’s best breaks; 29, 21, 21. 19. Lindsay broke the balls and Fraser was 'the first to open the scoring, getting 11 before Lindsay scored. Lindsay took some time to settle down to his game, Fraser having scored 47 when Lindsay was 9. When Fraser had got to 49, however, Lindsay 'increased his score from 17 to 48, and, with improved form, had reached 108 when his opponent was 72. Lindsay continued to score faster than Fraser, and was .144 when the latter readied 101. Scoring was slow at this stage. By steady play Lindsay got to 175, and with a 22 break went to 198. Fraser followed him fairly closely, and from 134 ho went to .155 with a 21 break. A 17 took Lindsay over Jiis second century, and at 237 be made a break of 37, and was not long in reaching the third century, Fraser then lining 215. Fraser made a 21 break at 220, Lindsay by (hat time being 312. | The first break of importance was made bv Lindsav, who carried his score from I 324 to 398 with a' well-played break of 74, mostly In-offs to the centre pocket. At 394 the reel went into baulk, and at 396 he lost a white and then gave one away. This gave him a lead of 155 over | Fraser. The Jailer made a 19 break, ! which took his score from-244 to 263, but | Lindsay replied with a 29, which increased Ids score to 459. Lindsay was I now playing much bettor all round, and I seemed to’ get the pace of the j table and spread of the balls. Lindsay j continued to maintain a bigger average j than his opponent, and when Fraser j readied the third century Lindsay had got to 432. A break of 27 was then made by Lindsay, whose lead was now nearly 200. Fraser, not scoring his next shot, Lindsay made his lead 200. With a 39 break .Lindsay further increased his score to 568, as against Fraser’s 341. Lindsay still improved in form, and got I some very difficult shots. A 23 break j when he was 581 took his score to 606, : as against Fraser’s 350. Mostly by welli played long losers off the red, Lindsay I registered a 47 break, which made his ; score 653, Fraser’s score remaining the : same. Lindsay now led by over 300. I Though so far behind Fraser played , gamely, but was missing fairly easy shots, i A 20 break took him to over 400, Imt Lindsay, playing consistently good shots, ' had by this timer taken Ids score to over , 700. The loader went from 697 to 7.17 with a 20 break, and within about a quarI ter of an hour afterwards had won the | game, further breaks of 14 and 18 and ' other odd scores making his total 751. Fraser had made 415. Lindsay's average score per visit to the table was 8.8 and Fraser’s 4.8. Mr A. Hill was referee. E. N. Stewart 752 beat E. A. Walsh 552.

Scoring was slow at tho start of this game, but brightened up towards the end, when Stewart, drew away and won comfortably. For some time ‘‘in the early stages Walsh was leading, arid it scemcdi that the game would bo a close one. Stewart’s better all-round play, however, enabled him to draw away. Walsh, who played gamely, is a young player to whom the tournament experience should ho valuable. Winner's best breaks: 41,38 (unfinished) 37, 27, 23. 29, 27, 25, 24, 23, 21, 18, 18. borer's best breaks: 47, '2l, 20, 18, 17, 16, 15, &