The Billiard Table

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17245, 11 January 1924, Page 4

The Billiard Table

BY

"CUE"

FAREWELL TO M’CONACHY.

IN QUEST OF WORLD’S CHAMPIONSHIP. Prior to his departure for England on the Ruahine to contest th© world’s open billiards championships, Clark M’Conachy gave his final exhibition game in the Albert Billiard Parlours in Wellington. He played a match with Mr H. J. Shanks, to whom he conceded 600 in 1000 up. The gam© saw the young professional give a finished demonstration, and he passed the 1000 while his opponent registered 87. His best break of the evening was 195, while he made several others over the century, and his average was over fifty. At the conclusion of the match he gave an exhibition of difficult trick shots, and, as one amazed spectator put it, “made the balls talk.” In wishing the young New' Zealander overy success m his quest for the championship. His Worship the Mayor (Mr R. A Wright. M.P.), said that Mr M’Conachy had already accomplished this, and he now carried with him th© good wishes of every New ZealandIn reply, Mr M’Conachy said that he would strive to his utmost to merit the opinion of his fellow-countrymen. It was his wish and his hope that he should bring the championship back to New Zealand. At the call of the Mayor three cheers were given for the young champion. It is not generally realised that, as regards the number of competitors, the Army Billiard Championship is by far the biggest event of the season, says the “ Sportsman.” Over 3000 players took part last year, and the general form was so good that each of the cuemen who participated in the final games at Thurston’s made a break of 50 or over, while several breaks of between 70 and 80 were recorded. Sapper Cottle, the winner, played very fine billiards. In addition to winning th© Army Championship, he won by 5 points in a game of 1000 up the match between the Army champion and the champion of the British Legion. This season the Army Championship has made a promising start, and signs are

not wanting that Sapper Cottle will have to show his best form to retain his title when the finals ore decided. The ladder championship of the Returned Soldiers’ Association for 1924 will be commenced at the club rooms, Gloucester Street, soon. It was not held last year, but YV. Smith was the champion in both the billiards and snooker sections in 1922. There arc first and second grades in both sections. In the play-off for the third prize in the Starland tournament B. Ward (20) beat F. Kershaiv (o) easily with a score of 216 to 151. C. Mahon qualified for the semi-final of Tattersall’s tournament during the week by defeating W. Musson by 109 to 106. As the scores indicate it was a very close game with black to win at the finish. Mahon’s handicap was 50 and Musson’s 25. Electric light and fittings are being installed in the Dominion parlours this A well known local amateur put up a break of 43 at snooker in Tattersall’s saloon one evening this week. The draw for the semi-finals of Tat tersall’s tournament are—S. Gawlei (50) plays C. Mahon (50), and W. Smith (10 behind) plays S. Lake (50)