BILLIARDS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16625, 6 January 1922, Page 3

BILLIARDS.

RAMPS AND PLAYED#, (By ** OUE '’) The JR.S.A. -championships have, na** concluded. H. M’Lean defeated. W, Smith by eighty in 200 in the final. This is Smith's first defeat this season. The snooker championship was won "by Smith, who went through undefeatedThe runner-up is not yet definitely decided, for one player, R. C- Butters, has not completed all his games. Butters has a fair chance of coming second. That good young R.S.A. player, W. Smith, the winner of ths> Gryslaiiate Cup, has b€ien admitted: to the Con sumptive Sanatorium. He is expected to remain there some six months for treatment, hut it is to be hoped that he will be about sooner. Smith is one of the foremost players of the R.SIA., and should go far if he gets sufficient practice. Players will remember that he defeated. Karaitiaua (Kaiapoi W.M.C.) in the final of the Canterbury championship for the Alcock Orystallate Cup. The game took place late in November, Smith running out when the Kaiapoi player etood at J 49. As Smith had won the cup on three previous occasions, 1914, 1919 and 1920. the trophy became his property. This player ha' appeared in tho final of the championship in 1913 and 1915. In the former year he was defeated by Comer, whilst in 1915 he went down to Bickerdike.

News has just come to hand that Clark M’Conachy, the New Zealand champion , commenced his second match against Reece on January 3 at Manchester. As in the previous game the colonial receives 1000. and the match i? one of 16,000. In the opening session M’Conachy did extremely well, scoring 1251 (including, a break of 331 unfinished) to Reece's 597. Including his handicap he, therefore, had a lead of 1354, the scores being M ’Conachy 22-51, Reecs 897 at the conclusion of play. In the second session Reece slightly improved his position, scoring 1287 to 1250 by M’Conachy. Reece had some good breaks, including 231, 147. 135 and 100. M’Oonacby’s best breaks w ere 231, 159. 143 and 141. This leaves M’Oonachv with a lead, of 1317. and it looks an though the game is likely to prove an exciting contest.

In his previous game played at- Cardiff with Reece the opening stages were even, and the second day remarkable for brilliant play by the contestants. M’Conachy. during the afternoon session, scored consistently. making breaks of 170, 120 and 129, but just before the. adjournment Reece replied with a 355. During the evening the English player converted an unfinished 36 into a flawless 667. which ni. the conclusion of piny was unfinished. Reec* then having a lead of over 200. This break ultimately totalled 692. Reece kept his lead until the sixth day. when M*Cona-chy, playing brilliantly, speedily forged ahead, making six breaks over 100. his highest total being 328. The previous day M’Conachy had reached 538, Reece’s biggest break being 365. From this point the New Zealander gradually forged ahead. At the end of the ninth day Reece appeared to hare collapsed. M’Conachy was then leading by 3500, but in the last session he brightened up considerably and gave a brilliant ail round display. Tho final scores were M’Conachy 16.000. Reece 13,512.

M Conachy s defeat of Newman, who conceded 2000. at Thurston’s Hall. ID coster Square, iu a match of 16.000 was hardly less decisive. Newman only reaching 14,585 when the New Zealander ran out. During the first day - play in this match M’Conachy was not. getting on to the ivories at all well, but he pulled up in the later stage# and made some really fine breaks.

If Conachy’s only defeat was at the hands of Inman, against- whom he played a match of 8000 up at Bristol, -vl. Conachy received a handicap ot 1000, but he was not at case with the ivory balls. Inman gradually regained liis handicap, and at tbe last day but one the scores read : M’Conachv 5135, Inman 5250. and the match concluded : Inman 8000. M’Conacby 7391. the winner taking the lead on the afternoon of tbe final day.

Two of tlie New Zealand champion*? most striking victories have been over Aitken, at Edinburgh, and against Dennis at Nottingham. In tbe latter game M'Conachy conceded 2000 in 8000. and ran out when his opponent stood nt 7151. Me save Aitken. the Scottish champion. 4000 in a 16.000 game, and won bv 373 points. The New Zealander has to complete his second match with Reece. plav Falkinrr. Tnman and. then Reece for a third time before the championships. With his gradually improving form and greater experience, by April he wiU need to be seriouslv reckoned rrith Smith will not compete in the championship. “Sporting Life'’ states that he refuses to play in a small ball which does not permit of an adequate financial return Tnman also will not compete, but Newman. Reece and Falkiner. in addition to the New Zealander, intend to take part. The following summary of M’Canachy’s matches will he of interest : Final Handicap. Score Inman . nil 8000 M’Conachy . 1000 7391 M’Conachv . 1000 16.000 Reece . . nil 13.512 M’Conachv . nil 3000 Dennis . . 2000 7151 \ M’Conachy . 2000 16.000 Newman . nil 14.585 M’Conaebv . nil 16.000 Aitken . - 4000 15,627 M'Conachy . 1000 3501 Reece - . nil 2184 (Game unfinished.)