BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 854, 19 July 1906, Page 11

BILLIARDS.

(By

“Pyramid.”)

[The writer of this column will be glad to answer any Questions oti the game.]

An Amateur Billiard Association is being formed in England, which is intended to control amateur billiards throughout the Empire. It will be altogether different in its constitution to the present Billiard Association, on the committee of which amateurs, professionals, and table and ball makers have a seat. * * * * According to “ Snooker” in the “ Referee,” startling reports are to hand from Brisbane as to the doings of a thirteen-year-old son of Harry Gray. A friend showed me a letter in which it was asserted that the lad had made breaks of over 400 and 500. One performance was a run of 171 hazards, which sounds like a record. If these breaks are correct, and the table is also 0.K., then a billiard prodigy such as the world has never before seen has been unearthed.” * * * * T. Bragge and W. Sawkins have been matched for the Victorian championship. The latter has already defeated Bragge twice for money, and has also served the same treatment to Campbell.

The “ Argus” gives the following account of the finish of the recent match between Sawkins, of Victoria, and Campbell, of New Zealand: —The match of 5000 up for what may be termed the “ Memmott-barred” championship of Victoria —for Memmott, who is Australian champion, has for some time past been resident in Melbourne —was concluded at Messrs. Alcock and Co.’s billiard hall, Elizabethstreet, on Saturday evening. At the conclusion of play on Friday, Sawkins’ lead had been reduced from 433 to 124, Campbell showing exceptional form at that session. In anticipation of a close and exciting finish, there was a crowded house on Saturday evening. Campbell got going at once with a break of 50, but the play then became scratchy, both players appearing to be under pressure, Sawkins particularly being far below his true form. Campbell caught Sawkins at 4241 (the score at the opening being: Sawkins, 4165; Campbell, 4041). Sawkins then, with a 90 break, got ahead, but Campbell again caught him at 4370. A period of slow play followed, both players missing numerous opportunities of breaking away, while the game was closed up at times with safety misses and finessing for position. When Sawkins was 4487, and Campbell 4469, the latter objected to the balls, and the marker having tried them and upheld the objection, a new set was procured. From this out Sawkins recovered form, and played remarkably well, his execution and position play being very accurate towards the end, when the compiled breaks of 71, 67 and 63 (unfinished) in close succession, and ran out a winner by 312 points. The winner’s principal breaks were 36, 96, 35, 34, 44, 30 (off red), 71, 67, and 63 (unfinished). Campbell’s best were 50, 32, 62, 55, 37, 35, 62 and 29. Sawkins’ average for the final session was 12.3, which is considerably below his usual average, which ranges from about 15 to 18. On Saturday, however, the safety misses and close play reduced it somewhat.