OTAGO CHAMPIONSHIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2732, 18 July 1906, Page 65

OTAGO CHAMPIONSHIP.

There was a larg» attendance at the Otago Club last Saturday evening, quite a number of visitors being present as onlookers, while a few joined in a game. The rows of players seated, the spectators standing at various vantage points, the bright lights, and the cheerful fire formed quite an interesting picture as one entered the large room, the evervarying blue-grey haze of tobacco smoke lending a softening effect to all outlines, and imparting a measure of that enchantment stftd to be the concomitant of a distant view. As we entered the- clubroom a hale and hearty looking stranger of some 50 winters accosted us with the query: "Do you play?" There was a wistfulness in his tone that betokened a real heart-hunger, so we nodded a cheerful affirmative, and asked him if he was from the country. We learned he was now resident in town, had only that day discovered the draughts rendezvous, was wpiting at the door when the club opened, and had already had two sittings before we entered, but, like Oliver Twist, he asked for more. He indicated the players he had been wrestling with — one was D. A. Brodie and the other Johnston. He couldn't keep pace with Brodie, it appeared, but he had held his own with Johnston. He hadn't had such a chance to play for years, he remarked, glancing with pathetic longing at a board of men ready set. We explained that some business should first claim our attention, but if none of the disengaged players would accommodate him, we would wade in. Just at this juncture Mr Mark strolled into the room, and on the position being explained to him he asked: " Who 'is he? Is he a snag?" We pointed the stranger out to him, and after a critical survey he exclaimed: I'm coming!" So, divesting himself of hia greatcoat and hat, he pulled in his seat, inserted his feet somewhere in the bars of his chair, brushed his ears well back, and moved 9 14. The visitor didn't get away with the clubman's scalp, but lie spent * happy evening, on Ms ovm statement. The play in the tournament oalla for no special comment. There axe the usual features of all tournament play-draws converted into losses, losses into wins, and so on. Messrs A. Sinclair and H. Halliday have turned out to be surprise parties, both playing % well* analysed game on quite, original lines. Sinclair, in both games "with Langston, piloted his pieces cleverly until, just as the game was practically concluded, he gave hia astute opponent the advantage, and lost. Halliday, after drawing his first gam* with Lucas, failed to grasp the full meaning oi his opponent's

position at a- critical stage in the second game, and hope of recovery against Lucas there was. none. H. Holden has so far failed to do himself anything_ like justice, , but, may recover his form any time. ■- ' 1 , The following" gives an analysis of the play up to the finish on Saturday evening last. — •

Player. - Played. "< J. Broadfoot ,. lV "'.. 6 A. Maihieson . ..2 E. Caldow^^t^-".." 4 ;.~ J. A. Boreharn .. 4 A. Sinclair .. .. 2 J. A. Lucas .. .. 5 H. Halliday .., .. 2 F. Langston .. ... 4 P." Mark • *, ".-. " ..- 2 H. Moivtgomery ..1 A. Davidson .. ".. 1 S. Holden .. .. 2 J. M. Hutton .. .. 2 H. Ho Wen .. .- 6 W. Dickson .. .. 4 Won. Xiost. Drwn. 15 0 0 2 0 4.0 Q 2 11 0 2 0 2 12 o a i 4 0 0 0 2 0 10 1 • 00 1 . 02 0 I 2 0 0 2 4 0 3 10