RUTHLESS PLAYER

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 99, 3 May 1935, Page 8

RUTHLESS PLAYER

GIRL BILLIARDS CHAMPION WINS SPORTING FAME LONDON ,March 15. From a Durham miners’ cottage to the West End —and sporting fame. That is the story of Ruth Harrison, who recently defended her title in the final of the women's professional billiards championship at Burroughes Hall against Miss Joyce Gardner. When she first came to London she had a cue —and a real 100 per cent. Durham dialect. But she took lessons in elocution and deportment. She was born in the mining town ship of Lintz, County Durham, and learned her billiards in the village institute. The miners encouraged her; • she became their friend and played football with them. Then she began giving exhibitions of billiards in the local mining villages.

There came the great day in 1931 when she decided to come to London to play in the amateur championship. Mr. George Watson, of Burroughes and Watts, was one who could not understand her broad dialect —but after her elocution lessons she came out the “finished article”; so much so that she has twice been “on the air” from Broadcasting House —diction perfect.

To show the quality of her play it is only necessary to say that she has beaten Frank Edwards, of Birmingham, last season’s runner-up in the amateur championship, at 842—638.

Miss Harrison is a ruthless player. She never hesitates to pot the white and leave a double baulk —and there is no nonsense about “Sorry!” She comes from the North, you see!