BILLIARDS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1244, 19 February 1914, Page 23

BILLIARDS

Tommy Newman, with 4000 start and using ivory balls, proved too formidable a proposition for George Gray in their.match of 18,000 up for £2OO a-side. Newman won by 283 6 points, and justified the judgment of his mentor, John Roberts, who considers Newman the coming champion. Newman played consistently and brilliantly a l through the game, making several breaks over the fourth century, and must b'e credited with a fine performance. Gray was severely handicapped by the “ivories,” and the cables state went to pieces at the finish. That Gray was right off his game is shown by the fact that in one session he only scored 64 points to the 888 of his opponent. As these players are scheduled to play another game over the same journey at the same handicap, Gray may do better with the “ivories,” though it is hard to imagine Gray being successful in the face of the runaway victory of Newman. However billiards is an extraordinary game and it is surprising the changes of form that take place, even with the b.est players. I have had the pleasure of watching Roberts, Stevenson, Inman, Reece, Gray and Lindrum on occasions, when making even a 50 break was a tremendous effort so off their game were they, and the collapse of Gray in the Newman game is not so wonderful, other than it is usual for the Australian to put up big breaks, even though the game looks hopeless. Miss Ruby Roberts, the champion lady player of the world, will arrive in Auckland on Monday next, the 23rd inst. Miss Roberts will, be accompanied by her mother on tour, the management of which will be under the auspices of Messrs. Alcock and Co., Ltd. A number of club engagements have been arranged for Miss Roberts, and if at all possible the lady champion will give a public play opposed by a leading professional.

Harry Gray has commenced as i teacher of bi 1 ards in London and has opened class rooms at 147 Aldergate Road. Papa Gray should have much patronage as an instructor. In the Burroughes and Watts tournament, H. W. Stevenson (scratch) was defeated by E. Diggle (receives 1250) by 2488 points. Diggle played with much of his old-time excellence;, but H.W.S. was very spasmodic and his form not nearly equal to his best. Tommy Newmjan defeated T. Aiken recently in a level match of 16,0 0 0

up for £lOO. Newman, though passed in the early stages, battled gamely and won handsomely. Fred Wejss is still a long way from being a back number; in fact, it is stated the Glen Innes boy, in allround billiards, is as good as ever. At the Gresham, Sydney, Weiss played a match 750 up, conceding 500 start to a veteran Queensland player, and won by 68 points. Weiss made best runs of 162, 115, 93, 92 and 63. Cecil Harverson, receiving 1000 start in 17,000 up for £2OO, defeated T. Reece. Both men gave a grand display, making breaks in the 100 to 400 class, and though Reece got within 565 points of his opponent at one stage of the match, Harverson drew right away and won by a good margin at the finish.

The preliminary rounds and final game for the English championship have been fixed to commence on March 2 in the Holbprn Hall, London. George Gray and T. Reece will be the pair to play the first game. Tne winner will meet Stevenson a week later, and the winner of this game will meet Melbourne Inman (holder) in a two-weeks’ game of 18,000 up commencing on Monday, March 16. The preliminary games are 9000 up. By the time Gray has to oppose Reeca he should be getting into the peculiarities of the ivory ball, and, despite his poor showing with Newman, the Australian may make good in the championship.

A London message states that GeoGray regards his recent match with Newman as splendid practice for the billiard championship. The liveliness of the pace of the ivory calls is still puzzling the young Australian, but is obvious that he will soon acquire tne same mastery over the ivor.ei that he has over the composition balls.

The height of the billiard table is giving some patrons of the game uiucn concern. It is contended on behalf of the short-statured billiard player that the present height of the table gives the tail man a big advantage. A reduction irom 2ft 9^in to 2ft lOin (the present stand and height of a billiard- table) to 2ft Sin would give the shorter player a better chance, inasmuch as such a lowering of the table would eliminate much using of the rest. Taking Reece, Stevenson and Inman, who are short men, as a guide, the standard height table does not effect their game materially, and they hardly ever use the rest when they can bring their left hands into use.