BILLIARDS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 692, 11 June 1903, Page 18

BILLIARDS

There was a somewhat curious result in a game the other day in London. W. Cook was conceding B. Elphick a start of one game in a game of five hundred up. The limit man was in brilliant form, and when he had reached the end Cook had only managed to put together twenty-nine, which must be almost a record for one-sided games.

At the Hotel Arcadia, Sydney, last week, C. Memmoit, of Queensland, and J. Smith played an exhibition match, the last-named having a start of. 250 in 750 Memmott won by 73, his principal break' being 153. Smith’s best break was 73. Memmott is to play H. W. Stevenson, the ex-champion, at Melbourne,

Fancy the champion Dawson being beaten in a game by over 5000 points, yet that is how Edward Diggle dealt it out to him l the other day. Dawson was, of course, right off his game, while the Manchester crack fairly monopolised the table. He received 1750' points in a game of 16,500 up, and simply romped in, with 5230 points to spare.

In that interesting novel, “ A Woman of Wiles,” the following passage occurs “ When ,1 play a game at billiards, I like my opponent to pot the white if he thinks he can leave me a double baulk after it. People tell you that this isi not the gentlemanly game ! A fig for the gentlemanly game 1 Play to win. The so-called gentlemanly game is merely a concession to the weakness of those who have not grit enough to take all the legitimate chances.” Bravo, Alick Munro ! These lines should be taken to heart by the thousands of players who still cherish the ridiculous idea that potting the white ball is unsportsmanlike.

The tournament just started by the Royal N.Z. Yacht Squadron looks like proving the most successful one ever held by the ’club. Entries were so numerous that members were divided into two classes. Upton is the back marker in the A class, and Lelievre in the B section. The keenest interest is being taken in the various games.

And they keep the marker scoring, and the spectators from snoring, As they try as if their lives were on the game ; Though their show may not be classy, 1 am sure it isn't boring. To the winner, then, all credit, to the losers —Try again !