G. B. SHAILER’S RETURN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17906, 23 July 1926, Page 6

G. B. SHAILER’S RETURN.

EARLAM, A GREAT PLAYER. (Special to the “Star.”) MELBOURNE, July 3. ! Mr Geo. B. Shailer arrived in Melbourne yesterday (Friday) after being in England for five months as Australia’s representative in the British Empire Amateur Billiards Championship. Shailer is looking particularly well after the trip, but it still as thin j “a wonderful welcome was given I Shailler when he arrived in England, ■ and he speaks highly of the liospi- | tality shown him by all the English billiardists. lie is particularly grateful to Mr George Held, England’s foremost billiard writer. "Ho was both father and mother to me,” he said. ’’Everything he could possibly do to help me along was willingly done.” Shailer was also one of the guests at the welcome to the Australian cricketers, and he saw their games against M.C.C. and Surrey. It will surprise many here to know that the championship games were 1 played on the West of England woollen cloth, and not, as we were informed, on the new “cotton cloth.'’ Shailer speaks of Ear]am as being the greatest amateur billiardist the world has even known, hut does not think that he will be successful as a professional player. “It is quite possible that I would have given Earlam a much closer run in the final game only 1 had a had spin in the first session and only scored (if* and 501. However, I did much better in the other sessions, and actually outpointed him in the last one, scoring 654 to Earlam’s 400. "In this session I compiled three breaks over the century (a record) and one of 06. One of. tne centuries (144) was made without the use of the red ball, only two hazards being made during the break. The average for the match is an amateur record, as Earlam, for (lie 2000 up, averaged 20.4 1 to my 20.50. ” Smith, of Scotland, proved to be the next best player, and not far away were Rutledge (South Africa) and M’Cluney (Ireland). Thurston’s parlor was packed of two sessions

in the final game, but apart from that I should not think that many of the The composition balls proved to be very popular, and it is unlikely that ivory balls will ever again be used in amateur championship games. “ I am sorry that I did not bring the championship back with me, but I did my best and was rather unfortunate to strike such a. wonderful player—a. player so good that he turned professional two days after winning the Empire amateur championship. It is pleasing to know that th§ Melbourne billiardists whom I have met to-day are not disappointed with my showing, and that they all realise what a difficult task I had to face.” Shailer left Melbourne on the Sydney express yesterday afternoon, after spending the day at the C.T.A. as the guest of Mr James Davies. He intends to practise for the X.SAV. amateur billiard championship and feels confident of again winning that title. In the Empire championship Shailer compiled twelve breaks over the century. including one of 203. made in the first heat.