SPARKLING BILLIARDS

Evening Star, Issue 21381, 7 April 1933, Page 12

SPARKLING BILLIARDS

DAVIS AND NEWMAN COMPARED WITH PAST MASTERS There have been few billiard matches ia recent years in which the importance of the occasion has so little affected the skill of the rivals as that at Thurston’s between Joe Davis and Tom Newman in the- Gold Cup tournament early in February, writes the London ‘ Sporting Life ’ critic. I cannot remember a previous encounter where both men have for days on end retained such brilliant consistencv. ’ ■ Wo have seen Walter Lindrum reel off big break after big break, but, generally speaking, when he was, doing so his partner was comparatively idle. ,In.this tense struggle both Davis and Newman are producing a succession of admirable breaks, and are “ hitting back” at one another in fascinating manner. .. ... .. It is a great duel, but-in spite of this one cannot imagine a more delightful atmosphere. The greatest of. rivals and the very best of friends, the present and past holders of the British championship are thoroughly enjoying every moment of a great struggle. I believe Davis and Newman are playing superior billiards to anything they have yet revealed in their interesting career.' 'lt; is true that they are not 1 churning, out”, four-figure breaks frequently, hut .it ."must be remembered that they are playing nder the handicap of the “ 200 ’’"baulk-line regulation. . On the other hand, both are continually flirting with the 500 break —which, in the conditions, is almost equivalent to the scoring of 1,000 in an innings. It is conceivable that the presence of Walter Lindrum has affected their position, but we still hear flattering reference’s to such giants of the past as John Roberts, Harry Stevenson, and Edward Diggle. The question is frequently asked how this trio would have fared had they met the Australian. It would be equally interesting to know what would have happened to them if they had met Davis and Newman in the championship. We, live, I am afraid, far too imicfi in ! tlie past, with the result that wo are inclined to be ungenerous to tiio present generation. Let there be no mistake. These two Englishmen are entitled to bo included among the very best players of all time, and they arc still youthful enough to reach the "high standard set by the Australian. _____