BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 953, 11 June 1908, Page 13

BILLIARDS.

THE MARKER’S LAMENT. (A Parody.) Mark, mark, mark, From ten a.m. t il three; Oh, would that I dared but utter The thoughts that arise in me! Playing 100 up, Started five hours ago; Barring the “ones” for'“ misses,”’ Neither has made a show. ’Tis well with the butcher’s boy, As be whistles upon his way, When he delivers his last rib-beef, He knows he has done his day; But these silly mugs go on, W : th never a thought of shame — I’d give a quid to take their hands And finish the bally game. Break! Break! Break! The highest is only “Three! ’” If they don’t buck up I will utter The thoughts that arise in me! —The Dud. GRAY COMBINATION. This combination. consisting of Harry Gray, champion of Queensland, his son George, the world’s champion boy player, and their manager, Mr. Fred. Farrell, arrived in the Dominion from Hobart on Monday, May 25. Since their arrival in Invercargill they have given three performances, which were most successful, inasmuch as some good billiards was displayed. The fine billiard room in Esk-street, be’onging to Mr. H. Rodgers, was requisitioned by the Grays, the games being played on an Alcock and Co.’s table, with crystalate balls. Owing to none of the local players caring to oppose the visitors, the manager (Mr. Fred. Farrell) did duty in both games on Wednesday evening. With a start of 100 in 500, Mr. Farrell was defeated by George Gray by 184 points, with best breaks of 99, 66, 49, 38, 35, 34, 29, 24 and 20. Young Gray varied his game more than usual, mixing his hazard play with some clever top-of-table work. Harry Gray also put the “ manager” through his facings with a start of 100 in 300, the pro. winning by 33 with breaks of 44, 40, 31, 30 and 27. The loser in good style made runs of 43 and 25.

On Thursday evening George played Mr. J. Arder, 150 in 500, and defeated the local player by 234 points. George played brilliantly, making a grand break of 172, 60, 60, and 24. Mr. Arder made his best serve 22. Harry Gray gave Mr. V. Newall 150 in 300, and beat him by 72, making breaks of 55, 34. 32, 28 and 33 unfinished. Young Gray gave an exhibition of the masse stroke, and combined with his father in a display of funny and trick shots that found much favour with the audiences.

On Saturday evening the Grays entertained the members of the Invercargill Club with a splendid display of their skill. George played Mr. Leary 150 in 500 and beat him by 215, with breaks of 98, 36, 33, 31, 28 and 24, finishing with an average of 16. Harry Gray, in a game with Dr. Sale (who was conceded 150 in 300), performed to much advantage. Gray won by 126 points, going to the table on six occasions, and making breaks of 101 and 155 unfinished. The methods of the Queensland champion were much admired, his strength and accuracy in getting position being very fine. The fancy and trick shot display of father and son was extraordinarily successful, the members applauding heartily one of the finest expositions of the science ever witnessed in Invercargill. The combination play a round of engagements at Riverton, Nightcaps, Otautau, and Gore prior to going to Dunedin, which city will be reached about to-day.

In the big game of 13,000 up on level terms, between Reece and Harverson, the former won by 13,000 to 10,328. Both players were in fine form, but this season Reece seems in-

vincible, and it begins to look as though Stevens and Dawson are showing wisdom in avoiding an encounter with the Oldham crack.

A competition almost if not quite unique in character reached its concluding stage on the 11th of last month in the billiard room of the Deaf and Dumb Department of the United Institution for the Blind and Deaf and Dumb, Leeds. The intention being to encourage a good style of play and “ form,” the actual scores made by the competitors (twenty in number) were disregarded; instead, “ points” were awarded for general excellence and playing for the “ correct” game, even if the striker failed to score. AH the competitors were deaf, and after a most interesting series of games, the prize—a cue and case —was assigned to Mr. A. Coyle.