BILLIARDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18454, 16 January 1922, Page 8

BILLIARDS

M'CONACHY v. • NEWMAN. NEW ZEALANDER’S FIRST ENGLISH VICTORY. THE KING A SPECTATOR. (Fbom Ook Own Cohbespondent.) * LONDON, November 50. M'Conachy, the New Zealand billiards champion, has made good his first appearance in London by defeating Newman, the English champion, by 1415 points in a match of 16,000 up. M'Conachy was in receipt of 2000 start, but nevertheless his performance was a singularly good one, and it is. already certain that the loading players will need to be on their mettle when championship time arrives. Two days before the finish Newman played very well, but he could make no material impression on the commanding advantage held by M'Conachy. The New Zealander was 1705 in front when he continued liia overnight unfinished innings of 82, which ho carried to 254 (183 off the wed). Newman tned finely with a clever and versatile , and subsequently to a short bout Of safety the English champion put on two more runs of 142 and-119. He got the opening for the latter through M'Conachy forcing his boll off the table, but tho latter soon mode amends by gathering an effort of 178, in which there .were two admirable spells of all-round play. Flay continued good, Newman subscribing 96, and M‘Conachy 87, prior to the latter going through to points with 69 (unfinished). Newman averaged 70 for 636 and M'Conachy 65 for 586. Interval scores M'Conachy (rec. 2000 ; in play)... 14,252 Newman 12,598 Although Newman aggregated 7£o ot.night against M'Oonachy’s 581 the latter’s victory was by this time assured. After carrying his unfinished 59 to 285, M'Conachy had a, bad time, his best runs for over an hour being -66 and 52. Newman was more .consistent,* his chief breaks being ,105, 33, 42, and a brilliant 350. followed later_ by 196. M'Conachy eventually ran to his points with 239 (unfinished). The averages were _76 and 58 in Newman’s favour. Closing scores:— M'Conachy (roc. 2000, in play) ... 14,835 Newman 13,358 MISSED THE 500 BREAK. On the Friday afternoon there was a full house at Thurston’s in anticipation of seeing M'Conachy making his first break' of 500 in England. They quickly experienced disappointment, for the. New Zealander only carried his overnight unfinished 450 to 461. The full effort included 456 off the red. Newman put on useful runs of 30 and 47, and then miscued; but M'Conachy could not get going, so. the English champion came back to record 163. Subsequently one saw the New Zealand champion indulging in a spell of all-rpund play, and with more encouraging success than hitherto, two good breaks of. 83 and 94 containing ,somo neat movements; whilst the larger included a sequence of ,22 cannons. However, the next 20 innings were shared for runs of J6O to M'Conachy and 56 to Newman. * < Newman was the first to get on the move eventually, an effort of 171. from his own cue revealing some characteristic touches; but M'Conachy fell, back at once on his greatest asset, and retaliated with 136 (132 off the red). Newman returned to add 58 before M'Conachy ran to points \v ith'so (unfinished). Newman scored 7G6 and M'Conachy '583 for averages of 35 and 29. Interval scores:— M'Conachy (rec. 2000, in play) ... 13,084 Newman ... ... ... ... ... 11,555 Playing consistently at night, M'Conachy reached hia-points in 80 minutes, totalling 583 for an aggregate of 83, and finished with a load of 1705. Newman gave a brilliant exhibition in a break of 398, aggregating 408 for an average of 58. M'Conachy took his unfinished break of 50 to 236, the last 168 coming from the red, and in successive visits recorded 42,-114, 40, 42, 73, and 82 (unfinished). Closing scores; — M'Conachy (in play) 13,666 . Newman 11,963 , _ FINAL PLAY.- , . Taking up an unfinished 239 before a crowded house, M'Conachy;. increased it to 257, and then came down at a screw loser. He did not have much of an opportunity during the first hour, Newman being seen almost at his best. The latter claimed a nice 178 at his second visit, and subsequent to a useful 46 brought down tho house with a brilliant 379, full of charming strokes around the spot. M'Conachy intervened , with 193, in which he kept both object balls • rolling nicely, and he followed that up with 47 and 74. i Newman got inside tho allowance he was conceding by means of 73, which ho rnonted with 87. M'Conachy drew near to his points with 122 (120 off red), and after a small effort from Newman, ho reached schedule with 30 unfinished. Newman spored 824 and M'Conachy 586 for' averages of 75 and 63. Interval scores-;—■ M'Conaoh (received 2000, in play 15,419 Newman . ... ... ... ... 14,182 Tho final session provided one brilliant effort from each player, Newman making, 307 and M'Con&ohy 321, but apart from that tho sitting . pursued a quiet and ordinary course. The New Zealander took his unfinished break to 75, and then saw Newman reel off a delightful 307. Missing a difficult kies cannon, he paved the way for M'Conaphy’s treble, century. This was mainly/losing hazard work, but now ;and again the New Zealander introduced a little Variety, and he was helped considerably by a.\ fluke mid-way through the effort. At 321 ■he gave way to a ’ thin loser, and subsequently the play deteriorated. Newman gathered a,-63 cqid M'Conachy a 57 before the latter finished off matters with a beautiful 102 unfinished. M'Conachy averaged 44 for 581, and! Newman 33 for 403. Final scores: M'Conachy (received 2000) .„ 16,000 Newman .’ 14,585 THE KINQ AND BILLIARDS). When M'Conachy met Tom Reece at the Marlborough Club and played a game of 650 up, the King* was among the lookerson and was greatly interested iri the ploy. Later His Majesty personally congratulated the players on their skill. '