BILLIARDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16496, 5 August 1921, Page 3

BILLIARDS.

GAMES AND PLAYERS.

(By CUE//) The league table noiv stands as follows

The following games will be played this week:—Post and Telegraph v. R.S.A.; Y.AI.C.A. v. Tramways; W.M.C*. v. Pioneer; -Sydenham a bye. Xexi week’s games are:—Police v. \\ .ARC. ; Tramways v. Pioneer; Sydenham Post and Telegraph. Past Friday the Police heat the Tramways by four games to one. The following were the scores, the Police being mentioned first in each case. Bickerdike 100, Ford 73; Duckworth 100, Small 37 ; Thompson 100, Full wood 99 : Dunlop 100, Graham 59 ; M’LeDuan 61, Hawkins 100. The Police beat the Y.M.C.A. this week by four games to one. following were the scores, Police being mentioned first, in each case:—Bickerdike 100, AVilliaiUßon 84: * Duckworth 94, Warner 100; Dunlop 100, Bone 69; Beard 100. Stobart 99; Thompson 100, Sarland S 6. R.S.A. beat the Sydenham Library team by four games to one. Butters IR.S.A.) made a break of 37. and Richie (R.S.A.) a break of 32 during the match. ) Although Smith is at present indisposed he intends to compete in the championship. He beat both Butters and Williamson in games of 400 up each, this week. The games in connection* with the Xew Zealand Championship are timed to start to-day in the R.S.A. rooms, commencing at 2.30 p.m. Special staging has been lent by the Christchurch Musical Society. Next week's games in the league championship will conclude the first round. SOME TOURNAMENT POINTS. It is wise to remember that more games are lost through want of thought than lack of skill, especially by the inexperienced, who usually have good enough hands and eyes, hut are reckless in cueing. In half-ball' strokes the striker should always aim at the outer edge of the object ball, while the natural angle being the known quantity, play-era should train their eyes to recognise it at* a glance. 11l playing hazards, the thing to he kept in mind is that the margin of errors ,is exceedingly slight, and when attempting to pot the red that the near shoulder of the pocket must be avoided at all hazards. Winners are frequently the most difficult shots on the table. They should be played slowly when the balls arc near together, as it is pace that finds the pocket. When the balls have a distance to travel before contact with tho object, the shot is easier when played with strength. Losers are, however, the backbone, of the amateur game. Perfect the losers and you may win—especially the halfball shots. Be physically fit always. Few games require more physical fitness than billiards, simple though it looks and gentle be its exercise. AT COX ACHY IN SOUTH AFRICA. New Zealand readers will peruse with pleasure the interesting descriptive summary of what Clark At’Conacby recently did at Durban. It is taken from The Latest of April 21:— ‘' Having had ail opportunity of seeing Clark AUConaebv perform, local billiards enthusiasts will follow with keen interest the doings of the unassuming New Zealand professional champion during the remainder of bis South African tour, and also his performances against the leading players in England during the next season. “ Clark Mr Con achy has apparently a natural gift for the game. He is young, and premier honours are within his reach. He may not enjoy an easy climb to the top of the ladder, but he has everything in his favour lor the accomplishment of tho task, however stiff it may prove to he. His squareset jaw and his somewhat taciturn manner indicate resolution and determination ; bis alacrity in making up his mind before making his stroke denotes keen perception and au ability to take in the situation which is presented to him ; whilst his all-round style of play stamps him as a player who in a year or two may be as prominent in tho billiards world as Smith and Falkiner are to-day. “ Since bis arrival in Durban he lias fulfilled Hour engagements. In his first he easily defeated Air Broughton at the Union Club, but did not give a particularly convincing display, owing chiefly to the tip of his favourite cue breaking balf-wav through the game, and his second cue not being altogether to his liking. Since then lie "has played three matches with Air A. Percival, the Natal amateur champion, conceding 300 in a game of 750 up twice, and allowing the Natal player 100 in 750 in the final game. The New Zealander won all three games, his best display being made in the concluding game of the series at the Afercantiie Club, when in three consecutive visits to the table he made breaks of 143, 201 and 90, or a total of 434, while his opponent gathered S. Although the losing hazard was prominent. the New Zealander’s- all-round play was of a. high standard. ;• At the Southern Club Clark AUConaehy won with a margin of 212, his best breaks being 111 "and 109, against 49 aud 25 by Percival. At the Afarine Club at the Point on the following night, a closer game was witnessed* the totals at the finish being: A U Con achy 750, Percival (rec. 300) 089. The winner’s best efforts were: 199, 120, 93, 81, 52 44, 30 (twice), aud 27 ; whilst AT»* Percival made a 70, a 58 and runs of 41, 40, 31, 30 aud 24. ''The final game at the Mercantile Club was vastly interesting. The result was in doubt right up to the end practically, tor 400 in 750 is a big concession to make, and Mr Percival took the fullest advantage of it. When requiring only 47 to win, he paid two visits to the table, hut could not get going, failure to bring U p an extremely difficult- roill l d-the-tab!c? cannon giving Al’Conachy bis chance to decide the issue. which he promptly did. ft was a most enjoyable game to watch. The piny was punctuated with nppkiuse.”

K.S.A. r. \y. I, 1 Pt T.M.C.A. 2 4 Police 2 3 Pioneer . i 3 1 3 W.M.C. 5 3 3 Poet and Telegraph. . 5 2 3 2 Sydcnliam Ivibrarj' . 6 1 & 1 Tramway* . 5 — » —