BILLIARDS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11693, 4 December 1923, Page 3

BILLIARDS

ABOTOMEY v. DICK.

THE WEEK’S MATCH OPENED.

The long-looked-for billiards match of 8000 up between W. Abotomey, the exNew South Wales champion, and W. Dick, champion of the North of Scofcland, opened at the Strand Billiards i’arlour yesterday afternoon. The game was on even terms, although Abotomey had announced his willingness to concede a start. Afternoon and evening sessions are being played, the session being 666. The opening session yesterday afternoon indioatee that the oontest is going to be a close and hard-fought one. Dick was the first to reach his points, his performance including a break of 73 and 133. the latter a fine, all-ronnd display of great work. Abotomey, who was nearly 130 behind at one time, came to light in the later stages when he found the touch of the halls, and with runs of 55, s*, 87, 77, and 66, he was only 32 behind at the adjournment. The game was n very open one, Dick being in hand with four to go. The players, and Mr Clark McConachy, the New Zealand champion, were introduced by Mr F. W. Vosseler, manager of Billiards. Ltd., 'who had-thoronghly overhauled the standard table on which the game is being played. EVENING SESSION.

In the evening Dick resumed possession with the score: Dick 666, Abotomey 334, and small breaks were the order of the going for some tiste, the best being: Dick, 35 and 50; Abotomey, 47, 43, and 90. Dick then put on a nice 53, failing at a long loser off the red, which he struck too full. Abotomey did not respond, and Dick appeared to be going well for another break when a kiss prevented the oannon. The score was 958—905 in favour of Diek. A few small hands followed, and then Abotomey, at 31, had to put his opponent down, the balls having come together badly. He went on with the red up to 60, when he played the long loser to the top pocket a shade thin, the ball striking the jaw. Dick missed the screw loser, and Abotomey compiled a good all-round 71 before missing a close winner at the middle pocket. Diok failed to make much of a run during several visits to the table, while Abotomey strung together thirties and forties, scon passing Diok and taking a lead of over 100 with breaks of 41 and 38. Diok lefL a tight position for his opponent, who dropped Hie whits and left a double baulk. Diok gave a miss, and Abotomey, playing. for a oannon, fluked the red down, from which he went on- to make 81. One or two small scoring hands came to Dick, while Abotomey added 37, making the score 1289—1U97 in his favour leaving him only 32 to get to reach his points, With a four and a 29 this was dene, the marker announcing “That ends the lesson—l mean session—gentlemen. The scores stand: — Abotomey 1*" Dick A Breaks Abotomey 6 and 71, Dick 50 and 53. The game resume* at 3 p.m. to-aay and 8 crclook this evening.