BILLIARDS.

Mataura Ensign, 30 December 1911, Page 3

BILLIARDS.

REECE LEADING LINDRUM. BY ELKCTR.IC TELEGRAPH.—COrTEIGHT. s'CMi '7NITEH I'RI'SS \«SO01ATlON LONDON, Dec. 29. The English billiardist T. Reeoe, 4036 points, is leading the young Australian, F. Lindram, 3086 points (including a brea kof 401) in their match now in progress.

WHO WILL BE CHAMPION? Almost what every close follower of the game expected happened in connection with the meeting of H. W. Stevenson, champion billiardist of the world, and George Gray, the Australian (states the Sydney 'Daily Telegraph'). It seemed to be a foregone conclusion long before the match was arranged that the first time these players met in a trial of skill defeat would certainly be the lot of the champion, and the reslut of the match vindicates the judgment of those people who thought so. As far as one can gather from the cabled accounts of the contjst, Gray does not seem to have relied on the red-loser to carry him to -'ictovy; otherwise much larger breaks would have been chronicled. His best innings was something over 300, and when one remembers that he has several times run over the thousand, and that he invariably makes breaks of over 300 and ( JOO in any exhibition game, it will be obvious that lie did not rely on tlio redloser entirely to win. There may have been occasions on which, to use a sporting term, he "pulled it out" iokeep his opponent from getting too ar away from him, but that seems to be n!l. At the all-round game, as it is facetiously called by those who do not like the ivdlosing game. Gray looks like a ''..atc-h almost for the Englishman. With ' all in" he is always his master. Having won the first of the three contests, some special interest will attach to the next meeting of the pair, which way establish beyond all shadow of louot the superiority of the Australian. And should that be so additional interest will lend it'self to the next championship tournament, in which Gray is certain to be a starter. If he should successfully run the gauntlet of these contests and get his chance with the defender of the title, who of course will be Stevenson, then for the first time in the history of the game the champion of the world should be fin Australian. There are not a few who have the idea that Fred. Lindrum has yet to be reckoned with in this connection. Perhaps, but those who saw the display 01 the Australia champion against Gray at their hist time of meeting will hardly say that he is the equal of his vonnger rival. One other matter remains to be discussed. and that is the chances of the Australians against the English champions with ivory balls. It may be taken for granted that with an old genial! like his father behind him George Gray has had a pretty considerable scnoohag in the freaks of ivory balls, and that long ere this he has to a great extent accommodated himself to their cngies. Strength should come to Gray as r.ct--11 rally with ivories as with bonhomie or crystal ate balls, so that his play should not be discounted too much on this account. The championship tournament is within measurable distance. Will Gray be able to stand the str-u i of a number of games in the p-elimmaiy rounds, and if so, and he emerges successfully from them, will he be t '.e next champion? It looks liPe it.