BILLIARDS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1246, 5 March 1914, Page 33

BILLIARDS

A charming display was given by Miss Ruby Roberts, the lady champion oi me worm, on xuesaay evening ai me Amateur isporcs Ciub. Miss Roberts was opposed by Mr. James ttusseii in a game of 500 up level, me lady champion winning by 174 points. The best effort of Miss Roberts was 4 8 off the red, breaking down at the bete noir of ah billiard piayers—a long loser, some cleverly executed run thioughs and slow screw shots were comprised in her breaks of 31, 34, 31, 22, 34, 23, 34, 48 (all uh tne red), and 16 unnnisned, which were made wnn hnlshed ease and accuracy. rne gallantry for wnich Mr. itusseii is famous was conspicuous on some occasions during the game, but in being deieated Mr. Russell lost no prestige, as Miss Rooerts is unquestionably a very nne player. Mr. nusseil was seen to advantage in ureaxs ot 42, 37 and 29.

The public exhibition given by Miss Ruoy Roberts and W- E. Stephenson, tne New Zealand professional champion, proved very enjoyable, though public patronage did not realise expectations. one of the private rooms at the Civic Club, Billiard Parlours, Darbys Buildings, Queen Street, in which is installed an Alcock standard match pocket table, was fitted and seated for the exhibition, which extended over Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Two games of 650 up, Miss

Ruperts xeceiving 200 start, were won uy otephenson, wno played wonderluiij' wen. Stepnenson made best runs oi 9i, 88, 75, and numerous vmer items over t>u. Miss Roberts couin not strike form, out iucgyeu many difficult strokes with a uemsutiui certainty and finish. On jxiuay ano Saturday a longer game was piajed oi 30vu up, btephenson coirneumg miss xmo.erts a start oi iuuo. Ine New Zealand professional was in reany une form, and when the nnai session was entered upon nad suureu ms quota of points (z2su), wane iVLss ixooeris was 27 benind Her sessional numoer. vvnen play was resumed, on Saturday night, Stepnenson scored consistently, ana wneii tne scores were called —Miss xvOuerts z93t>, Stephenson 2836 —the game looxed good ior the back marker, nowever, an easy opening gave miss xtooerts her opportunity, and, piaying witn much conndence, me lauy piayer ran to game witu u 4 ummisiied, which, at the request oi tne audience, she continued, nnally Dreaxing down when the total break was ibo. Miss Roberts got a most enmusiastic reception for her really wonderful enort. Miss Roberts’ best breaks were 39, 36, 29, 29, 30, 33, 24, 21, 23 and 20. The break was much enhanced m that it was complied on an Alcock standard match pocket table, which gave the players entire satisfaction. Stephenson played wonderfully fine billiards, and has improved his game very much since he last appeared in Auckland. Al'ways a generous opponent, Stephen

son was most chivalrous during the match, and has added to his popularity by the way he made the match attractive. Best scores by Stephenson were 79, 66, 66, 59, 59, 59, 58, 71, 53, 50, 48, 42, 41, 39, 37, 36 and a superbly-played 95, a slow winner bringing about his downfall when a break over the century appeared certain. Some beautiful run throughs and winning hazards were played by Stephenson. After the match, Stephenson played an amateur a game of snooker, running to game by potting the six coloured balls, the first of which, the yellow, was potted from what looked to be an impossible position. Jim Leherty marked the game with his usual ability, and helped materially in the success of the game. On Tuesday evening Miss Roberts gave an enjoyable display at the Queen’s Lounge, opposite the G.P.0., and delighted a large audience with her great skill. Miss Roberts left on Tuesday evening to fulfil engagements at Whangarei, and will go to Rotorua afterwards for a few days on her way to Wellington.

Playing Mr. Asher at the Jewish Club, Wellington, Alec Taylor made a break of 428. Taylor is now playing a series of games at Gisborne. “Snooker,” of the “Referee,” makes some pertinent comments on the limitation of the red losing hazard, as 'follows:—Those mostly concerned continue to tickle the Billiards Control Club into a state of unrest in the fervent hopes that it will rise to the occasion and strike the desired death blow to the new famous “losing hazard.” Of course, the word “de-

sired” is used as belonging to the select few who are clamoring for annihilation of the stroke, and not the general public, which, by its continued presence in large numbers at Gray’s sessions, signifies its approval of the stroke.

However, the battle against the “loser” continues, and it looks as if the agitators will secure the verdict, as it is announced that the Billiards Control Club is now contemplating an amendment of its rules by restricting the stroke, and it is further announced that the anticipated restriction will come into operation in the competition for next year’s championship. Gray has evidently furnished a surprise in his excellent handling of the “ivory” balls, the outcome of which is this intended move on the part of the B.C.C. .

One of the best delenders of the losing hazard stroke is Mr. George Reid (“Hazard,” in “Sporting Life”), who was here with Tommy Reece. Friend Reid is being attacked from all sides on his persistency in advocating a retention of the stroke; any way, until the paying public demands its abolition by remaining away from the sessions where it is being played. One of the leading English amateur authorities, a player of championship calibre, wrote “Hazard” anent his attitude on the losing hazard bogey: I have been reading your remarks re the restriction of losing hazards with the greatest interest, and —since I am in entire accord with you—pleasure. But there is a point which has struck me and which appears to have dealt no one else a violent blow.

If Inman and Stevenson so dread Gray’s ability that they cry out for a change in the rules, how is it that Stevenson made three matches with him level and with composition balls at a time when Gray was making one pr two thousand breaks weekly? I cannot remember what Inman actually did, but seem to have a recollection of his also playing Gray level, this season Stevenson is matched to play Gray level with ivory balls, so presumably, he is, or considers he is, as good as the Australian. Does this call for any drastic change? Again, Reece beat Gray when in receipt of 2000 in 18,000; Stevenson gives Reece 1000 in the same length of game. Is any change necessitated by this small difference?

Billiards cannot be played by rule of thumb, because there are so many factors to be taken into account temperament, conditions (playing and physical), luck, and a thousand and one other things that are ever present in a first-class game of billiards. Then, regarding the matter of A and B playing level when, according to the man in the street, one should be receiving a considerable start, it is all a matter of prestige. And prestige with a billiard professional is a thing he holds on to with a grimness and determination above all other matters appertaining to his profession. So that the matter of Stevenson, Inman, Harverson, and others playing Gray level with composition balls proves nothing more than an anxiety to preserve their status in the billiard world.