BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 25, 21 December 1910, Page 8

BILLIARDS.

THE ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP. The replayed game of 18,000 up, level, for the Billiards Control championship, ended in a victory for Stevenson by 1093 points. The match, which extended over a fortnight, provided a very even game, for the positions of the players changed about in such a remarkable manner that nor until the second last night, when Stevenson left off leading by 452, did it appear at all certain that he would retain possession of the title. Both men played exceedingly well throughout the match, Inman’s form on occasions being surprisingly good. There is no doubt about his improvement, although he is not yet the equal of Stevenson (says the London “ Sportsman”). In gaining such a high position in billiards, that of second-best player, Inman has proved to the letter what perseverance and hard practice will do for a man. Although beaten, his position in the game has advanced. Stevenson made only one break of over 400 to two of such dimensions by his opponent, but had a big crop of three-figure runs. In the actual play it was noticed that whilst he played a great many more dose cannons than is usual, he at times went in largely for the open game, thus giving a very varied display. On the other hand, Inman, whilst scoring many by losing hazards, showed singular partiality for the more advanced top-of-the-table game, where his success in intricate shots indicated to as great an extent as anything the advance that he has made. When sueh as Stevenson is in a happy scoring mood, the balls are touched in a truly bewildering manner, and at a pace that only one other expert has ever equalled. The way the ivories are steered,

shot after shot, into the most simple shapings for the following stroke is one of the mysteries of the game to the lay mind. Beautiful judgment and the most deft handiwork combine in evolving these picturesque movements. The most feathery touches of the cue still contrive to beget a crisp cue-ball, rich in its powers of executing its implied directions. Never out of harmony, always giving the watch-

ing eyes transforming flights of flmefnt play, a break accomplished by an artist! of Stevenson's quality is an enter tain? ment in itself. But this time we havdj seen little enough of the champion in his happiest vein. The several sets of ball}

which have at one period and anothef, taken their places upon the table havd not proved of that truth of contour mid correct running demanded by the higheft class of billiardists. In this eonneeticni it may be of interest to state that, of all the great euemen, none have equalled John Roberts in masterly control of $ foul-running ball. His determined application of the “drag” stroke has caused! many a partial ellipse, politely favoured! by the title of ball, to renounce thq crooked path and implicitly c-bey thd steering influence of the cue-head. If not so replete with dainty finesse', there is, nevertheless, much to and ponder over in Inman's old-fashioned*, plainer methods of building up his Now and again he will furnish evidence! of his ability to retain the balls withili the scoring area around and about thq billiard spot, and his capacity to closes cannon nurse them. For the most part", though, the sheet-anchor of Inman’s scoring is his steady adherence to the first! principles of the play. He tries to makel the game as easy as possible stroke stroke. This is showm by the high pro* portion of shots he plays from out of th<* D in the course of a long break. Hq turns his face mostly against the intri- 1 cate top-of-the-table moves. Whenever 1 ,

in any doubt he plays his trump card, a losing hazard into a top pocket, generaliy from the red ball as it lies on the billiard spot. It is good, safe, and exemplary billiards, which loses nothing by its inlosing hazards, and always looking for nate simplicity. Favouring the red ball the easiest route to guide his ball on, Inman is the up-to-date addition of the earliest school of spot-barred players. Favouring utility as against showiness, able to display a uniformity of scoring, and evenly balancing his claims to be considered either a master of defence or attack, the challenger for the championship is coming nearer toward the goal of his ambitions with each succeeding year. Adapted by his open, all-round game to overcome detracting conditions, Inman has again confirmed this impression by his latest performances. Upon the accompanying diagrams are given outlines of strokes accomplished by the rivals for the championship. To take the Inman cannon first, it deserves precedence by reason of the moving scene of enthusiasm that followed its being scored. This furnishes an object lesson in opportunism, or obeying the feeling of the moment as dictated by circumstances. The balls were near the right middle pocket, with the two whites almost touching. and the cue-ball furthest from the red. Inman was engaged upon a break which was already midway between 300 and 400 points. The position momentarily daunted him, and he paused to consider it after the referee had declared that the whites were not touching. However, taking the cue in his left hand, and thereby dispensing with the use of the “rest,” he let fly thinly and fast from the object, white to the side-cushion behind the red. Across to the baulk-end cushion, near to the left poeket, sped the ball. It justmissed catching the “ bumps, - ’ and, returning across the table, ran on to the coloured to score a cannon. A tremendous shout went up, such as the billiardroom seldom knows. The applause did not quickly subside, and Inman paused before resuming. The two Stevenson shots are descriptive of the champion’s pretty touches, and of the leading player’s resource in rescuing the object white from the danger of being lost to the break by falling into a pocket. The scoring agency, a cushion cannon, with the cue-ball delicately striking the outer side of the objeet-white, is always good to see, and senes to open up the play again.