BILLIARDS.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18809, 3 December 1932, Page 21 (Supplement)

BILLIARDS.

EXPERIMENTAL PLAY. ANCHORING OF LiMDRUM. AUSTRALIAN IN ENGLAND. Walter Lindrum has stated that the new experimental baulk-llne rule now operating in England has placed a handicap on him. This Is natural. However, it cannot be accepted as definite proof that it will continue to do so to the same degree as at present, though the object of the rule is to curtail the high-scoring and speed of Lindrum In compiling his breaks. “ Hazard,” one of the best authorities in England, discussing this baulk-line proviso in London Sporting Life, says: " Tom Newman and Clark McConachy may be said to have made billiards history when they commenced their fortnight’s match under the experimental rule which lays down that during the course of a break the cue hall shall bo made to cross the baulk line at least once in every 100 points scored in the break. “ From what I have seen of this new idea it is inevitable that for a time at least it will lessen the phenomenal scoring to which we have become accustomed since the universal adoption of tire nursery cannon game. That it will do so altogether I have •my doubts until I see how Walter Lindrum will counteract a method that is believed considerably to lessen his chances of scoring that 5000 break, under the previously prevailing conditions, on w’hich he had set his heart. Knowing Lindrum, I can easily visualise him smiling at the idea of being officially handicapped from attaining his ambition, and so once again causing the Counoil furiously to think.

; “ To an extent Tom Newman, who, ‘ having discussed the whole matter t with Mr Bissett, proceeded to practice under the experimental rule, has ! already disolosed a method ot count-eracting-It. During the initial stages of his match with MoConaohy he was at the top of the table playing in his most attractive style. He was “ warned" by Charles Chambers, the referee, at 80 that he had yet “ to cross the line,” but he went along Quite unconcerned until he was but six points from his first . three figures. “ Then, having obtained position for a simple red winner, he played it boldly with a lot of screw and running side to pot the red, run down the table across the baulk line to return to ideal position for a continuance of the break. The Likely Method. “ This, I believe, Is the method that mainly will be adopted by such artists, and I am afraid that it may lead to greater" concentration on the top of the table game—which is less attractive to the majority of spectators than the ‘ rooking ’ cannons so universally exploited during the past two seasons —without lessening the magnitude of the breaks. “ If this should be the case we shall eventually see Llndrum, Willie Smith, Newman, Davies, and McConachy again passing the thousands, but taking a rnuoh longer time over the operation. “ Certainly there will necessarily be more variety than is now the case, and there will be increased interest in anticipating In what manner a player will regain position once he has settled down to the ‘ pot-cannon-pot ' game that must now almost automatically supersede the delicate and extremely skilful close cannon manoeuvres. “What must be remembered is that it is an experimental innovation until December 31, when the views of the leading profesionals will be taken on it. “ It Is only natural that those affected are, as yet, unprepared to express an opinion as to the effectiveness or otherwise of the innovation." Australian View. As against all this Walter Llndrum by his attractive billiards lifted the game out of a common-place rut and recreated It as a first-class attraction. Some of the English professionals had done much to reduce the status of the game in the eyes of their public, by puerile quarrels and their methods of play. But when Lindrum stamped himself as immeasurably superior to any of them, both as a player and as one the public desires to sec, some of the professionals appear to have clamoured for rule changes aimed specifically at curtailing Lindrum's great breaks. If, as Lindrum says, it is unduly handicapping him, the English professionals and those with whom they seem to be more or less linked in business may, in the end, be the. greatest losers (says an Australian writer). Early in September, Willie Smith, whom Lindrum badly defeated in Australia, was out with a challenge to Lindrum, wild Ihe stipulation Iliat. the rules lie altered lo help him. This was a candid admission Dial tie stood no chance of defealing Lindrum under Die same laws as those under which lie (Smilli) made his name in England. Lindrum had humiliated him with a disastrous drubbing. There was nothing lo imliralc that billiards was suffering in any way from the big breaks made by Lin drum, im Hie other band there was much to prove, that the Lindrum breaks and play were magnets to people who pay at Ihe doors. Tom Newman lias expressed approval nf Ihe change in Ihe. rules. It. is not. as yet, a permanent change, being on trial until the end o r the year. Then, if the experiment is deemed a success, it will be cerman-

ontly incorporated Into the laws of English billiards. It would have been bettor to have stipulated the “baulk-llne" ohange after every 200 instead of 100 points. Tinkering with the laws can be over done. It looks as if the malady has lnfeoted those empowered with the oversight of the laws of billiards. There is always a risk in legislating to meet an Individual case, as in that of Walter Llndrum.

What billiards needs in England is an authority composed of sportsmen uninterested In the financial aspects of the game, invested with vital power to make and amend the laws. Billiards business Interests have no right to any standing on such a body.