BILLIARDS.

NZ Truth, Issue 510, 27 March 1915, Page 12

BILLIARDS.

(By "Fluke.")

Cecil Harverson, always a sound and reliable performer, and who recently drew it across our "ole pal" Tom Recce, issued a challenge to play either Smith, of Darlington, or Tommy Newman, 15,000 up, on even terms, for a side wager, and, strange to relate, old man Roberts, the guide, philosopher, and friend of Newman, picked up the gauntlet on behalf of Smith. He wired "Sporting Life" as follows: "I accept Harverson's challenge, and will back Smith for a .side stake of £25, the match to be played as early as possible." The value of the side wager gives the acceptance a "genuine ring, especially as John . has always been accustomed to name his bets m hundreds. ' " " ' '

Roberts is unquestionably cute . m his match-making, and the wonder is, In. his acceptance of Harverson's challenge, why he substituted Will Smith for: Tommy Newman, the latter being m the stable of the G.0.M., under whose watchful eye the lad has improved marvellously. The only reason^ that can be assigned for, the change is that while . Tom Newman is a great • player his game is confined purely to the , "all-round" game, while Smith is hot only an exceedingly brilliant "all-round" artist, he has proved himself a most dangerous > exponent of the "all-red route." He is a second Fred Lindrum, who can adapt himself to any one of, or; both, these departments of the game. . Anyway, without too much "red ball" Harverson should win. ' '

Ex-compositor Smith, of Darlington (England), is a "losing" hazard player of great ability, and, has already scored a four-figure break off the "tomato," but how he is as a "winning" hazard striker we out here are not aware. However, we may have the opportunity of finding out his ability m that department of tho game if his challenge to play Tom Recce the best of 21 games at snooker happens to. eventuate. Recce is solid at snooker, as he proved when he beat young Frank Smith several years back, at Billiards, Limited, and the other Smith will find himself right up against a strong joint when he crosses cues with the Lancastrian.

Ex-champion Harry Stevenson has again been on the sick list, and after having commenced his heat against Tommy Newman m the Burroughes and Watt handicap, he was forced to go m dock. For some time past the "Apostle of Touch" has been m very indifferent health, and it is said that he contracted a severe cold while playing and as a conscciuenco he was pinned to his bed when he should have been pinning Newman on tho billiard table bed; Stevenson intended paying us a visit next month but, m response to a letter to me on the proposal, I advised him to shelve, his proposed tour until after the funeral of Kaiser Bill and family, and I anticipate acceptance of this advice.

The lady professional champion of Australia. Miss Ruby Roberts, is playing out a full programme m the Big Smoke across the pond. The genial lady has been showing good form, considering the rod-hot snags she has been bumping In Gray, Newman, Smith, Harvcrsbn, Recce, etc.

Conceding- Miss Ruby Roberts starts of 650 points m 1000 up, Tom Recce drew it 'across the Indy m a stylo showing n lack of chivalry, lie not only defeated the Australian Indy champion In several games, but he. did so mnn unmistakable fashion .is, 'for instance, m one jyame when hip foil* opponent looked all over a winner, ho came with a wet ,«ail and a handsome contribution of 322 unfinished and won. In another, panic ho silenced little Ruby with a 355, whllo In a further game he simply shattered the dear llttlo girl's nerves with a brilliantly played run of f>47. Ruby now declares Tom to be a nasty man.