BILLIARDS

NZ Truth, Issue 604, 13 January 1917, Page 11

BILLIARDS

(By "Spider")

STEVENSON v. NEWMAN. Hereunder the figures are given m connection with the recent big match m which ex-champion Harry Stevenson conceded the young' Londoner, Tom Newman, a start of 800 points m 16.000 up. and won by 591 points, after one of the most interesting games played m! London for some time. The value of Stevenson's victory may be well gauged m a glance at the stock of big breaks landed by Newman, one of which, 829, was his record, and affords a striking tribute of the ex-champion^ high ability when properly strung: Appended is the story of the match m figures: " FIRST WEEK. Stevenson. Newman. 1 . Scored Ay. Scored A y. Monday s after. .. 666 41 .. 538 33 Monday even, „ 666 83 . . 180 22 Tuesday after. . . 668 35 „ 822 4S Tuesday even. .. 541 81 ■'..■ 485 28 Wednesday after 483 53 .. 10S1 120 Wednesday even. 665 43 .. 554 v 37 Thursday after.. 759 75 .. 7T6 86 Thursday > even .. 664' 80 ..• 497 68 Friday after. .. 689 62 .. 769 69 Friday even. . . 769 76 . . 528 52 Saturday after, . 573 52 . . 737 G7 'Saturday even v . . GB7 f»7 .. 528 .40 ! Totals 7SOO 53 7494 51 SECOND WEEK. Stevenson. Newman. Scored Ay. Scored Aw Monday after. .. 867 123 .. 497 66 Monday even; „ 509 36 ..' 500 36 Tuesday after./:. 484 34 .. 1015 72 Tuesday even. .. 840.93 .. 396 44 Wednesday after 533. 166 .. 289 G7 Wednesday even. C6S IC7 .. 20 5 Thursday after.. 61S ,6S ..1266 157 Thursday even.. 714 142 .. ,239 39 Friday after. .. 607 G6 ..952 95 Friday even. . . 457 C!) .. 672 112 Saturday after.. 545.. 76 ..6SO 56 Saturday even. .. 668 44 .. 629 44 .Totals .... 8200 74 7115 64% COMPLETE SUMMARY, Stevenson. Newman. Scored Ay. Scored Ay. First week . . 7800 53 . . 7494 51 Socondweek.. 8200 74 ■.. 7115 64% Grand totals.. 16,000 62% .. 14,609 67 TREBLE-FIGURE BREAKS. Stevenson (54). 570 487 474 445 3SI 310 303 282 268 256 20,1 244 237 232 229 226 293 218 217 212 198 195 193 192 185 191 179 165 155 154 153 150 141 137 136 133 180 180 125 124 121 121 121 118 116 114 112 110 109 107 106 101.101 100. • Newman (56), 529 389 384 312 260 246 242 241 235 232 224 218 210 197 187 186 182 182 178 175 172 171 166 152 160 159 157 165 165 162 150 148 145 146 141 141 141 138 135 134 130 130 125 122 120 115 113 109 108 108 I 105 104 102 103 103 101. ■ • • .■■•'■ Claude Falkiner the West of England champion, is a very fine snookor piayer, and can easily hold his own against anyone m England. During a game against Albert Copo, m London, he made a break of GU, and, later on, m Birmingham, he put up a beautiful 58.

Regarding the suggested alteration In the rules of billiards, as referred to In our issue of last week, rule 17, Appendix X of the B.C. C. code enacts "A foul stroke must be claimed before the next stroke is made, otherwise it is condoned." In a gnma recently played one of the contestants made use of his opponent's ball m piling up a break, and the non-striker discovered tho infringement and appealing, the marker ruled against him, maintaining that the foul had been condoned when the striker made his second stroke with the wrong ball. The- marker, however, altered his decision when Jt was pointed out that every stroke made with the 'wrong ball was a foul. Ho was led astray by the words "otherwise it is condoned," und was about to allow tnc player to continue Infringing the rules until his break ended.

Tommy Newman and Claude Fnlkine,r aro falling: into line with Recce and Inmnn m tho matter of matchflghting. - Tho pair hnve already had several battles In each of which, with a start, Falkinor has had tho better of things. In a game played m Thiira* ton's Hall recently, m which Newman was conceding a (start of 1000 points of v Iti.OOO up course, the young liondoncr .was seized with a very severe attack Of influenza, and was compelled to abandon the match just when It was at a most interesting stage, with but four sessions to go, and Falkiner holding a winning lead of about 600 points. It was bad luck for tho latter, and perhaps the friends of Newman thought it hard luck for him. However, a further match was arrange*} when Newman had recovered, and Falkiner was going well and strong when tho. mail left, as he held a lead of no fewer than 1794 points.

A few months ago I received a booklot on blllinrds, wrltton by "A Fluker," and na news of the gnme la very scarce at tho preHont time, I trust that the author will huvo no objection to "Truth" using his ; Introductory romnrka, which arc ns follows: "Always enter a billiard-room with a rush; never wait to hear the click of the balls—tfttU at once would, show weakno««: if tho door bo a swinger, so much tho better, as it will have two effocts In ono movement. You may have the good fortune to bump the door against a person standing Just inaide, which will have tho effect of him taking a seat, and ah?o drawing attention to. your arrival. When fairly inside (after ox? presKing sorrow to the btimpcul one), select a chair, the one opposite tho

right-hand middle pocket is considered tho best .point of 'vantage. If alread: occupied, ask tho occupant to move vi another chair. He won't mind a scrap m fact, only too pleased to obllg* After taking your seat, and a game i In progress, inquire from the marjuj if the next table is engaged. If re plied to m tho negative, just say, "i'j have Jt if I can find a decent opponent,) Then compose yourself for a couple 6 minutes. Inquire, "How's the game? When the marker gives the scores, sa; "What?" In a very loud voice (Witt will give the onlookers the imprcssioi that you are a person of some import ance at billiards; or that you are i social celebrity "of the bank clerk-publit servant class) . When you have heatf* the scores, it's absolutely necessary yqi require tho information as to who wo) the last game. Perhaps one of ttv players will oblige. Then- pause t6 one minute. Then inquire from th< person m ohargo (if he is ut anothe table, so much tho better, as you wll have to raise your voice, which wil command attention from the ohlookersV, whether the time limit has beel discussed, and if there Is any chanct Of its being introduced early, beoatis* you are ptyfectly certain it would hi vory much iairer to all players, as thi good player pays very much more fo his enjoyment on tho table than ti\i inferior player. These idea« of your; are solely for the benefit of nlayerj then using tables. You may, after i time, secure a table, select your oppo nent, and secure a cue, request th< marker to pick you a medium- weight fair-sized tip, but must be well balanced. After trying cues by bungln* them on palm of hand to.test their rigidity, sighting, and just to show you an some class, Just mention that any olt cue will do. Jf your opponent retire! to wash his hands or brush lilu hai before commencing, examine the ball: critically. Inquire from tho mark*! what moke they are.-. You might saf these ballw are not chrystallto. OToJi will bo fairly safe, as .thorp are verj few In use). Ho will say you arivqujtf right, sir, they are bohzoline. Of course they (the balls) are dead (o weight am size, ho will miy yes. Doubt hlrr straightaway, as the spectators will ty sure you know everything, about thj game now, If not before." . -\ -J