BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1000, 6 May 1909, Page 11

BILLIARDS.

A match has been fixed between C. Memmott and E. J. Campbell, to take place in Melbourne next week. The ex-champion is conceding Campbell 1000 to 9000, but, so far as can be learned, no stake is being played for. Campbell has improved so much of late that his friends are confident of him stretching the old horse. Memmott is looking exceptionally well, and is devoting much time to practice, so as to be ready for any eventualities of the coming, season.

Inman had little or no difficulty in asserting his right to hold the title of B.A. champion in his match against the rising young professional, A. E. Williams, who challenged for the honour and £2OO. The game was 9000 up, and Inman won by the comfortable margin of 1338 points. A number of century runs were made by each, but Williams secured the honour of making the only double centuries in 262 and 248.

The match for a trophy valued at £2O, between F. Oswald and P. Ackroyd, took place at the Ponsonby Billiard Academy on Friday evening last, when there were about 300 spectators present. It will be remembered that in a tournament of 250 up, played the previous week, F. Oswald (rec. 40) defeated P. Ackroyd (rec. 95) by a single point, and, opinion being divided as to the better player at the

handicap, another game was arranged. On Friday evening both players were clearly far below form, and neither was responsible for anything startling ip the way of breaks. Nevertheless, the game was interesting throughout, and when the scores read Ackroyd 204, Oswald 203, the excitement of the supporters of both parties was great. Oswald’s play then became very erratic, and, falling completely' to pieces. Ackroyd steadily piled on the points and won by the substantial margin of 42 points. In the final stages of the game Ackroyd scored 46 points while his opponent placed five to his credit. It was bad luck for Oswald to break up just when victory appeared to be his, but at the same time the winner played steadily throughout and fully deserved his success. Ackroyd’s best

cues were 16, 16, 11 and 10, while Oswald .-at different stages put together 14, 27, 13, 11 and 18. After the match opinion was again divided as to who is the better player, it being contended by some that Oswald, after getting to within a point of his opponent, should have won. However, that is just a matter of opinion, and in all probability we may hear of another match between the pair at no distant date. Mr. A. Bryant filled the position of marker and left no room for complaint, while Mr. F. Thomas, proprietor of the room, had all necessary arrangements for the comfort of both spectators and players carried out in an up-to-date manner.