BILLIARDS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1102, 15 April 1911, Page 12

BILLIARDS.

(By "Marker.")

It is now definitely known that the proposed match between Steveuson and Gray is "off," as both players have contracts to fulfil, and at present it is impossible, to have these set aside. As to the rumour of Gray playing Roberts in London, en sharing terms at Coronation time, that sounds well enough, but wo must wait and s«e, for Gray's contract with Eiley's expired on April 1, and he immediately goes into tho hands of John Roberts. Should the match take place, such a pair (the old and young champion?) are certain to be the billiard lions of the celebrations.

As was expected Inman defeated Harverson in the sixteenth hf.it of the London tournament by 531 points, and takes the leading place. He started well, and with a 500 break (two flays in- succession) made such a ho'.? in the South African's start that afterwards he could not keep Inman away. Both played well, but Tnman va-' just a bit the better. Final scores:—lnman (roc. 1000), 9000; Harverson (ree, 225!)). S'l69. As it is not penally known, it is worth while pointing out that the amiteur clnmnionship games arc played under the Billiard Association ecde, and not that of the Billiards Control Club, which governs the professional matches. And lure an important difference in tho two c-odes '»irs to need explanation. Under the 8.0.C. code, a player is not allowed to make two misses in' successive innincrs. unless his opponent scores after the first inninsrs or a double baulk inlervenes, th n penalty for doing so boing tho same as for a foul stroke. On the other hard, the B.A. rode allows of a phvn , giving a= many misses ns ho pleases, which means that he has an entirely free hand in conducting his defence. The latter is. I am sum. the be=t method, whilst it recommends itself further by the fact that the alteration adopted liv the club was unnecessary. It certainly was not ealM f fl r by amateurs, even if nrnfessionals asked for it. Th» B.C.C. is supposed to be run "ntirelv by amateurs, who should know that the professional element in billiards rlws not exceed onn per cent. It is difficult to understand why such a rule was passed. ,'