BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1255, 7 May 1914, Page 23

BILLIARDS.

The match 18,000 up between Geo. Gray and H. W. Stevenson was won by the latter with a margin of 7323 points in his favour. This is the severest defeat ever experienced by the Australian player, who apparently lost all form during the game. The poor showing of Gray has caused much discussion in local billiard circles, the general opinion being that the Australian has gone stale after the hard

season of match playing he has gone through. All billiard players have their off seasons, and though Gray has ever been most consistent and successful in his games his turn to “right off” has come at last.

The cable announces the scores in a game between Inman and Newman, showing that Newman had scored 18,000 to 14,770 by Inman. In this game Newman would be conceded a start and possibly has beaten the champion by a bigger margin than he (Newman) received. As the Americans say, Newman is “some player” and in next year’s championships he may make Inman, Reece, Stevenson, Gray and Co. look cheap. In connection with the championship it is to be hoped that George Gray will specially reserve himself for the event and that Fred. Lindrum will enter.

During the week Frank Smith, the snooker champion and his fellow traveller, Mr. Bell, have been seen in action at snooker and casey pool. While both players are very skilled in the “potting’ game, the locals have unite held their own when conceded fair handicaps, and possibly the change of conditions and strange tables militated against the Australians showing their best form. In attempting to concede Jim Dryland, of the Central Club, 30 in each of two games of snooker Smith was

decisively beaten, the Auckland “Diggle” giving a splendid display of hazard striking.

It is a matter for regret Smith and Stephenson did not play a series of games as the New Zealander is in specially good form just now. As showing the form of Stevenson in his match with George Gray breaks of 506, 498, 358 and 322 came from his cue in the first eight sessions. Stevenson, like most players, always plays better when in the lead.

Albert Williams is prepared to play Fred. Lindrum for £lOO aside with or without the championship thrown in provided that Lindrum cuts out the red losing hazard. Williams in sizing up the position states tnat neither he nor any other first-class player has any chance of defeating Lindrum when that player turns on the red, but without the aid of the red Williams fancies his chance and backs up his opinion with one hundred of the best. Fred Lindrum and Arthur H. Tricks (ex-amateur champion) were to play an exhibition game at the Amateur Sports Club rooms, Melbourne. The Club championship will be decided some time in May.