BILLIARDS

NZ Truth, 6 January 1917, Page 11

BILLIARDS

(By "Spider")

Bill Stephenson commenced his game with; Abotomey m Auckland on December 26. The first session of 6<56 points was reached; by the New Zealander. when his opponent was 60S; the average per .viisit; being Stephenson 13 . 3 and Abootaney IT. 6 / For the first visit, Abotomey secured the largest break of 103, Stephenson's best being9S. The second session en*ded, Stephenson 1333 points, Abotomey 897, the average being Stephenson 17.42, Abbtomey .7.44. So far the ex-New Zealand professional champion lias had easily the best, of the bout, but as Kis opponent is a very -fine player with ;a lot of experience behind him, the isiSCiW is still very' much m doubt. The match is being played at the Auckland Sports' Club on their Standard Aicock table.

Tom Bragge, a professional of much ability, and well! known here and m Victoria^, but especially so hi the latter State, Unlisted on November 15 last. Tommy will be remembered- as having played' Ted James a match many years back m a Sj'clney establishment, a match won by the old horse, Ted, who was then m very fineform. Bragge had an extensive billiard and hairdressing saloon, m Geelong, Victoria, and he is to be commended oh his patriotic spirit m sacrificing his fine business m, his laudable desire to assist m crushing the domineering; blatant awd murderous Hun. Bragge entered camp, and has already gained laurels m his valuable assistance m aid of the Red Cross, which has benefited to the extent of close on £250. Tommy willmakeMin excellent soldier, and we hope that he jvlll make good, and return to the land of his birth m- good spirits- and health, and covered with medals for valor.

Tommy Recce has been displaying very fine form against Innian, m their several matches opening this season down under, but especially so iiv a more recent game of <. 16,000 • up, m which the gallant Tommy had a start of 900 points for. a wager of £25 a side. The Lancastrian was always m front, playing grandly m every session of the first week, and he opened the second' week's play with a flourish of trumpets by notching a break of Rll, and, incidentally, scoring 91S- points to his opponent's- nil; Ajjain on Tuesday Recce gave his old rival, a, tremendous shake-up, with an average of 253 for 1013 points, and breaks of 202, 39Jf, 227 and 147 In successive hands. It ia seldom that Recce dominated his "010 Pal" to a greater degree than he did m this match, his line form and brilliant billiards standing him In good stead. During the game a most . remarkable coincidence occurred m that both playera m the same session made four breaks, practically yielding the same points as follows: Inman, 30, 41, 51 and 206; Recce, 36, »M; 51 and 206.

Wizard Stevenson has, of late, been exhibiting more than mere glimpses of. the wonderful form that was responsible for liia exalted position on a pedestal; of his own, some few years back, indeed, tho ex-ehamplon*s play has bordered on the sensational In several occasions iiv his matches with Tommy Newman. This wan particularly well demonstrated m one session of his more recent game \vlth the young Londoner, 'when he claimed the phenomenal achievement of scoring 1501 points at the rapid rate of 166 per innings, meantime contributing breaks of 445, 487, 263, 153, and 127 unfinished. Jn the evening session he registered the handsome average -of 142 por stick; As showing the value of Newmans powers,; it may be mentioned that m the afternoon session he agrgegated J2S6 points and secured the flattering average of 157 per innings.

Ex-champion Harry Stevenson and young Tommy Newman are running well m double harness, and their many brilliant displays have been responsible for good gates and much publto attention.

The inseparables, Mel* Inman and •Tommy Recce, are also touring the English provinces, with more or loss financial success. Their cues and dexterous rights have- been productive of some hair-raising displayij of very fine billiards.

Billiards is essentially a winter pastime,.but, nil the Hame, it is one of the few educative and fascinating games which is played all the year round. Being an indoor attraction. It has the advantage of others, such as tennis and bowls, both of which are Bubject to Interruption by wet weather. Somo enthusiastic billiardlslH have no objection to playing the game when the thermometer; is trying to put up a heat record, but nearly all have a decided objection to knocking the spheres about when the atmosphere is loaded with humidity, The latter Condition Is the worst for the gamo, as it makes the balls sticky, cues clammy and sweaty, and the- cloth heavy, none of which are appreciated by players, whether they b« professionals or nmateurs. The weather has been very trying of late, but this has not Interfered with regular players indulging In a game, and all the rooms I have looked into lately

appeared to be doing fair business;

'George Gray arrived iii America^ week, and already has an Qngag«?tt| to open a new room m .liroad\v N.Y. In this parlor several Kngl tables have been installed 5n conj[\]ii tion with others of the American, ty. Gray is nn acknowledged expert ,m$ shot player.and there is no reason 1 yw he should not develop into a Hrst-CiJ: exponent of the American game of ~-'\ Hards, the principal feature of wli are rail cannons and nurseries. Stio, Gray acquire a knowledge oC [tU shots and exploit them to the sanie^ tent that he has the red ball, he sho' be the best player In the world. T^i slbly it was with the idea of master' these shots that Gnty decided on pf Ing a visit to Uncle Sam's country."

ONTHE BILLIARD RULES. ; A suggestion has been matteli "Hazard/ 1 of the "Sporting Life," ti loosely-phrased rules are rosponsi for scenes and trouble m iirst-gri billiards, and a revision of the ni is advocated. Thero is no doubt ,tli if there be any flaw or opening m; rules, some of our English friends \ quickly find It out, and endeavoi* i i drive through it.' In the recent ma) [ between Steyenson and Newman, ; incident occurred which caused ;cq ment and qultiy a breeze, the prlnci actors iri the scene being Stbvem and the referee. The trouble arose] follows: While engaged m a sequel :bff close cannons, Stevenson, with gentle tap, kicked tho red bull on to own spot. With -the object white ideal position for a continuance of sequence of cannons, the ex-chump: holed the red. and repealed tlu\4»; formance next shot, upon which j referoo placed the red' ball on i centro spot, m pursuance with i rules. Stevenson protests*} ylgdroi ly that tho rod ball tfttd hot bi; poketed twice from the spot- accordi ; to the rules, m which contention? was entirely correct, but the i-t?fe claiming that the spot stroke ruli -^ him no option m. the matter, polli declined to reverse his decision. NT« while the referee muy have acted <st scientiously m giving his decision,; was entirely wrojjg m so decldi 1 Rule 9of t»e B. A. says, inter alia: i however, the red boll is pocketed- iri tho billiard spot twice m conaeeuti strokes by the same player, and noij conjunction with any other score,; shall bo placed on tho centre spot/V | The intention Is clear that, to comj a breach of this rule, the red ball nn be "spotted;" that is, placed upun own spot by someone m uuthorityU, the red bnll were, by chance, "klekj to the spot by means of contact xy; one of the other bally, no person Jt£i a position to attest that it is artuJS on Ha proper spot, whereas -'hn.^ been carefully placed thore ny ,\ marker or referee, It In taken for grai ed to be then properly spotted. . '.1 referee, as referred u>. made a mlatn —Innocently, no doubt— that had # astroii9 consoqudncea on tho ex-clihi plon, who waa, at the time, enffs.t><^j what appeared to bo a most suitu responito to Newmans record brenk 829 mode m thi» match. There is, doubt that the rules could do with brush-up all round, and perhaps m i| direction. * , ■■; ■ ';