BILLIARD CHAMPIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20071, 8 October 1928, Page 12

BILLIARD CHAMPIONS.

EXHIBITION MATCH ENDS. LINDRUM BEATS McCONACHY. BRILLIANT FINAL SESSIONS. The billiards match of 18,000 np botween Walter Lindrum ami Clark McConaehy was concluded on Saturday evening, when the Australian secured a wellearned victory by 494 points over the New Zealand champion. McConaehy made a great effort over the latter stage.? of the gamo, to tako the honours, but ho failed at a critical moment when rearing his opponent's total. The class of billiards displayed by both players over the last session was of a brilliant order. McConaehy scored more points in the last week of the match, making 10.556, to Lindrum's 9000. On Saturday afternoon, McConaehy was fir.it to score, a 59 being his effort, but at his next four visits to the table, ho mado breaks of 108, 80, 265 and 65 by brilliant play. Lindnim, however, was right on his ganio also, and splendid efforts of 291 and 322 assisted him to maintain his lead. McConaehy came again and compiled breaks of 94, 116 and 136, getting within 332 points of his opponent. Just when it seemed bo would draw closer, Lindrum ran to session points by making 131. The session scores were W. Lindrum, 17,2.50. Breaks of 291, 322, 131. C. McConaehy, 16,785. Breaks of 108, 82, 265, 93, 116. 136 The final session attracted a large gathering and both players delighted the onlookers with magnificent billiards. Faced with a deficit of 465, McConaehy failed after scoring a break of 70. Lindrum then added a brilliant effort of 408. McConaehy was playing with his usual determination, and made breaks of 112, 128 and 362. Ho was unfortunato in missing a slow pot at his last break, the red ball stopping right over tho edge of the top left-nand pocket. This was his last chance, as Lindrum gathered the balls together, and, playing nursery cannons to perfection, ran out. a winner by 494 [joints, by making 254 unfinished. The final scores were W. Lindrum, 18,000. Breaks of 408 and 254, unfinished. C. McConaehv, 17,506. Breaks of 70, 112, 128, 362. WINNERS CONGRATULATED VICTOR AND VANQUISHED. HIGH PRAISE FOR McCONACHY. At the conclusion of the billiards nintch, Mr. C. Cummins, of Billiards, Limited, congratulated Lindrum on his meritorious win. ITo also paid a tribute to McConaehy for his plucky uphill fight. Aucklanders would welcome a return visit of the champions. McConaehy said (hey had two more matches to play in New Zealand, and he hoped to get a little nearer his opponent in each of these games. The. Australian public had treated him splendidly, but it was a pleasure to him to play before, a New Zealand public once more. McConaehy said he had competed against every oilier champion in the world, but nono had produced the billiards Walter Lindrum had played in Australia. This was the fust time Lindrum had been r.way from home, otherwise ho would probably have passed the thousand mark in a in Auckland. Tn thanking the Auckland public for their appreciation of his play, Luulriini recalled the fact that his father and hid brother, Fred, toured New Zealand in 1909, and they had spoken in such glowing terms of the treatment they received that he was keen oij making the present trip. Speaking of the table provided for their match Lindrum said it was the most per feet it would be possiblo to get up. Ho had played on some fine tables in Atts tralia. but they did not approach this one. "There never was a greater fighter or » creafer sportsman in the billiards world than Clark McConaehy," was the tribute Lindrum paid to his opponent, and his remarks drew loud applause. • "He plays ouito differently from any other player in the world and as a top-of-the-table artist ho is wonderful and stands alone." added (he Australian. Both players left for Wellington last, evening and will commence a match of 18.000 there to-morrow.