BILLIARDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16331, 21 January 1921, Page 3

BILLIARDS.

GAMES AND PLAYERS (By “ CUE.”) A tournament amongst team? representing the various newspapers and nonpressmen who are members of the club has been started at the Canterbury Press Club. The following teams are taking pa-rt.: — •‘Press*’'"—F. Shock. D. Kirby, W. L. Paterson, .). S. Kelly. •* Lyttelton Times ” —l>. Morgan, G. Brown, T. A. Fleming, A. G- Henderson. Non-pressmen No. I—-R. LovellSmith, J. F. Hoyles, A. Jd. Seeker, S. Fast. Non-pressmen No. 2--R. G Zimmerman, A. R. Kirk, J. A- Jewell,' H. ItT. Spanjer. _ That, an Jnman-Reece meeting had no counterpart in first-class billiards was a stock phrase in the days when their rivalry was at its height, and when Inman stood alone in the path of Reeco to tiro highest, honours. What was true then is equally true to-day (writes “ Masse ’ in the Ivondon “ Sportsman ” of Nocember 18). There is not so much at stake between them nowadays, perhaps, but the tense desire of the one to triumph over the other at all times has never abated. They have fought many desperate duels on the board of green cloth, most times to the glorification of Inman, but scarcely one so full of thrills and dramatic incident as that which ended on Saturday last in the victory of Reece by 470 points—or, if you like, a virtual triumph for Inman by 530. since he was attempting to concede LOCK) start. But although there were no title honours at stake, T do not think they have ever taken each other more seriously than in this encounter. It was almost solemn in its seriousness. True, a. billiards match is usually a solemn ;iffair, but many of us can recall Inman-Reece meetings in which their deadly earnestness has not been altogether unmixed with humour. Indeed, little “ scenes ” between them were almost inevitable in the old days, and neither of them oould be called slow at repartee or in besting the other in wordy warfare whenever 1 the opportunity arose. Such incidents were so common, indeed, that they were regarded almost as part of the entertainment, and they made a. strong appeal to a certain section of the public. Nearly every session brought its little “.breeze”; but one~of the best in my recollection was unhappily # lost to tho spectators, for it actually took outside the rplayixig hall, although du* ing the course of. the play. It was a.t Thurston's some twelve or fourteen years back, and Reece was setting a rare pace for bis rival, who was battling tremendously hard for the points, and against a whole heap of bad luck- 'lhe habit which Inman still has of twisting and turning liis head and body, and occasionally shuffling bis feet as if to guide and aid bis cue ball on its mission, was far pronounced in those

far-off da«s. and more particularly so when he was “up against it. 5 Inman was well set on a break, and Reece’s jumpiness” would not permit him to &it idle and watch, his opponent’s break making. And so he wandered out into the entrance hall, while Inman continued to pile up the points. Presently the silence- of the hall wa.s broken by the strains of a then popular song- It was quite a melodious voice, for Reece could sing a. rare good soug in those days, but it was too much of a good thing from Inman’s point of view. He broke off in the middle, of his break, and with righteous indignation strode out to remonstrate with Reece. ” Well, if you can give a contortionist’s show inside, surely T may be allowed to sing out here,” replied Reece in a most injured tone, the humour of which appealed even to Inman, for there was a broad smile on bis face a? be re-entered the hall to continue his break without further interruption.