Billiards.

NZ Truth, Issue 472, 4 July 1914, Page 11

Billiards.

(By "Fluke.")

Tom Recce, the English protessional biMardist, has arrived m Australia, and he no sooner put his foot on the soil than he outs with the statement that he is going to play Fred Lindrum, Australia's champion, three games or 18 000 up for £250. This Is nothing else but an advertising boom, for it Is hardly likely that either Lindrum or any of his admirers would put up a stake of suoh a size. If Recce had sa)4 that the games were for £50, no doubt a few people would believe it, but there is no 6ne that will swallow the other statement It is rather peculiar that previous to Recce's landing no intimation was made by Lindrum or anyone on his behalf that a series of matches had booh arranged for such a largo sum of money.

Beeco attributes George Grays m and out performapces with tho ivory balls to over work. He considers tnat Gray has been kept In the harness tod long and continuously, and consequently has become stole. The Australian would Burely "come back" with a good rest'

Recce expressed the opinion that it was more than likely the English authorities would roako a. move towards placing a restriction on the "a»-™ d route prior to playing of the English professional championship next year. There is no doubt that Gray Is anticipating some mote In the direct on referred to, as ho has been putting m much practice at the "all-round • game this season, an action probably responsible to some dogreo for his spasmodic show with the red *■«..«• limitation bo placed on the >ostng^hazard stroke, Gray's occupation , will bo seriously affected. !■'•-.:■ • • Walter Llndrum was too good for Miss Ruby Roberts, and. although tho 15-year-old boy was giving away -6000 m 18,000, he ran out a winner by 14.0. ••■ ■ • Tho little chip has grown very much Uko brother Fred, the Australian champion, and, Uko pero Wndrum. but unlike brother Fred, ho Is a lefthander. Watching the lad's move--, ments. ho is decidedly on a par with brSher Fred, and compiles his breaks in' tho same rapid and brilliant manner Mias Roberts has improved m her ability 'and her exhibition clearly demonstrated that her travels and bouts with urst-clttss players have bonefitod her considerably. As Is customary In these big matches, it was sqmc time before either got the hang-of tho table, and so breaks wore of tho 30 order. Tho lad's first top of tablo run was a 61, nicely put together. Miss Roborta responded with a capital j52, and right hero tho little wonder proved his ability In rattling up 73, 61, and 138 In artistic stylo.