BILLIARDS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7110, 23 April 1910, Page 12

BILLIARDS

<( The American champion Jake S'haefer [‘The Wizard") died rccejitly from bub'&reulosis.

Stfcvenson and Inman were to comnietuca a match for the championship. Despite his indifferent form this season the game should prove a good thing for Stevenson.

E. Higgle was in fine form in a match against Lovojo.y, to whom be conceded 2oiX) in 8000 and defeated by 201 points. Diggle’s best runs were 596, 443, 348, and five of over 200.

At latest Inman and Harverson were contesting ;-a game of 8000 up'on level terms, while sJtevcilson was attempting to concede Aiken 5000 in 18,000. On paper the double should be. Inman and Aiken.

Stevenson, in striking contrast to last year, when he was incomparable, . lias had a very poor season. He has seldom been seen at his best. Higgle, who, weie it not that his health is uncertain, would be little inferior to Stevenson a*t tbe top of hie game, has done very,well; but Reece, an csepcralJy clever but unreliable player, has been handicapped by illness. Just prior to the mail leaving he. had to abandon a'game of SOOO up with E. Higgle owing to, an attack of toneilitts.

The British amateur billiard championship has changed hands. Major Fleming, the holder, who is particularly good nt most games, being beaten by Mr H, U. Lonsdale. The game, which was played at Glasgow,' aroused great interest. Mr Lonsdale beat Major u Joining by 2000 to 1882. The winner's best runs were .11-, 102, 79, and 76, while the major strung together 'IOO, 65, and other useful scs qucnces. Lonsdale won the first amateur championship in 1888, 'while his opponent's first attempt was last season' when he won.

Roberts, the ex-champion billiard player of the world, is at present visiting Perth (says the “Referee"), but no really good opponent has so far beeli found for him, < Roberts is playing in. good form, and it is likely that he will visit the goldfields before giong to the Eastern States; So far he has met three opponents. Ho began with H. James, and gave him 450 in 750. Roberts wen easily with ,an unfinished break of 102. The scores were 750 against 657, and Roberts averaged 33 per cue. He conceded C. Ashton 450 in 750, but was not in such good form. However, he ran out a winner. His third match was against J. Coleman, He conceded 509 in 800. His best break was 236, but he was not equal to catching Coleman, who went out 890 to 575. . The veteran is touring Australia under'the management of Messrs Alcock' and Co.

Melbourn Inman, who belongs to tbo young school of piofessional billiard players, lias won the big London tournament, in which nil the big cuemen Biggie, Ueecc, Stevenson,’ and Harvcrson—competed. Inman, who is anxious to play Stevenson for the championship, camo through the competition without a defeat, his record being four games won and 72,000 points scored. There is no reason why Inainn should not sooner or Inter become champion. He does not play in anything like the same brilliant way as Stevenson, Biggie, or Hcece; but he is wonderfully sound and consistent. With Inman it’s "dogged that docs it," Without exception he is the best match player; he is the limpet of the billiard world; he hangs on to the last gasp. In the final game with. Stevenson .Inman received 4500 points in 18,000, and won by 810. He Von a price of .£IOO.