BILLARDS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 696, 9 July 1903, Page 12

BILLARDS

The final match (1500 up) for the New South Wales Amateur Championship was played by Mr J. B. Belfield and Mr H. Rumball. In describing the contest, the “ Sydney Mail ” says The former quicklv got going, and with a splendid break‘of 131 made his total 201 to 35, and when Belfield was 338 his opponent was 131. The half-time scores were : — Belfield 387, Rumball 350. The latter continued to gain, and established a good lead, with an unfinished break of 59 ran to 752, when play ended, Belfield being 604. Rumball showed improved form as the game progressed, while Belfield seemed to tire. Each player had 63 innings. There was a good attendance on Monday evening, and an exciting contest was witnessed, Mr Belfield winning by 170 points. During the first night Rumball had the better of the game, and when play ceased the scores stood : Rumball 752, Belfield 604. On resuming, Rumball failed to increase his Saturday night’s unfinished break of 59. Both men started slowly, and played with the greatest care, rarely throwing away a chance. The first 150 took some time to make. After that Belfield i mproved the pace, and put up a number of breaks, including a faultless one of 129. Rumball played a consistent and careful game, and on four consecutive innings doubled his opponent’s ball after a safe miss. At the interval the scores stood : .Rumball 1145, Belfield 1080. When play was resumed Belfield played a dashing game, and quickly overhauled his opponent, the marker calling the score 1181 all. From that out Belfield scored coosi s tent ly, and eventually ran out a winner, the scores being : Belfield 1500, Rumball 1330. The winner was loudly applauded. His best effort for the evening was 51. * * * ❖ Billiards will no longer rank in France among the games of chance, as in the French Court of Appeal the following decision has been given .—“As the game of billiards depends mainly on the skill and ability of the players, any bets made on the player’s game will stand as bona fide financial transactions.’’

What a splendid draw would be themeeting of Mr J. B*. Belfield, the amateurchampion of New South Wales, and MrJ. R. Hooper, of Auckland. I notice that in the final match with Mr Rumball for the championship on the other side Mr Belfield’s highest breaks were 131 and 129, his average belfig nine for . 162 cues. The Auckland (rack would, I feel convinced, be equal to a better showing than this, and if in form I feel certain he would give the Welshman a rare go. Mr Hooper’s play when he defeated Roberts shows that he is able to rise to an occasion, and Au< Inland cueists would much like to see Mr Belfield make a trip across.