BILLIARDS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1174, 8 July 1911, Page 12

BILLIARDS.

[Bv Mabkeb.]

"CHIVVYING THE WHITE."

Tho remarkable- play of George Gray, tho Australian boy champion, has induced the London "Punch" to give the following humorous forecast:—

From tho "Sportsman" of January 1, 1913.—Th0 outstanding event of I'he past year, in tho world of billiards, has undoubtedly beou the new regulation about tho losing hazard olf tho red. Mr. George Gray's (unfinished) break of 10,179 at Leicester in Ouue, on which occasion ho occupied the tablo for three consecutive weeks, and his opponent felt justified iu spending tho week-ends in tho country, has at last opened the eyes of tho authorities. It is not generally known that in tho courso of this match t'ho righthand centre pocket had, to bo three times renewed by a local upholsterer. Tho stroke was repeated with such perfect precision that, after tho first ten days, no objection whatever was raised to spectators placing their hats on tho left-hand sido of tho tabic, and on ono evening towards tho close the umpire went so far as to tako his tea oil' it. Whilo heartily sympathising with Mr. Gray, wo feel sure that ho will recogniso that in tho test interests of the gamo tho new regulation could bo no longer delayed, and his favourite stroke was bound to go tho way of the spot-stroko and the anchor stroke. Now that only ten such consecutive losing hazards olf tho red are permissible, wo look for a rovival in tho interest taken in tho game.

From tho "Sportsman" of January 1, 1915—1t has been a year of great unrest in tho billiard world. Thcro is no doubt that tho advent of tho Chilean champion, Signor Pianola, lias shown up weak spots iu the gamo as it is nt present' played. His wonderful new stroke, by which ho makes the red ball run along the top of tho cushion, oil' the spot, into one corner pocket, while his own ball screws hack into tho other, has led to some astounding scores. As ho always makes six in this manner at' a singlo stroke his figures mount rapidly, and he appears to bo ablo (o repeat tho performance indefinitely, so that iiis (unfinished) break of 23,075 at Wolverhampton, in September, was compiled in (he remarkably short period of seventeen days. Tho authorities are, however, looking inlo Iho mailer, and drastic action is expected. It is abundantly clear that tho gamo has becomo too easy.

From the "Sportsman" of January 1, 1925.—The redoubtable, iicot, Alexander M'Kcttrick, who has caused sucli a profound sensation by his (unfinished) break of 78,852 at Jixoler, which begun in October, and was suspended in the beginning of last week, when the umpire declared (he spot bpll.no longer playable, informed our representative in (lie courso of a chat last evening that he had spent no fewer than eight years in perfecting his now policy of chivvying (he while. Uo pointed out that the red ball was now so hampered and protected by limitations that ho had found it' best to (Tick it out of (he way under the bottom cushion, while he goes in oil' (he white into each of the six pockets in turn. It is understood that (ho special regulations for llio coming season are now under discussion.

From the la I est files to hnind tho game between Lindrum and liecoe has been very close, 'with (lie pl.iyers passing and repassing each other. Taken nil in nil, it has been one nf the besl exhibitions of billiard? put Mono critical Syd.uoyites, and, although he may meet with his second defeat, Keeco can llattor himself that his tcchniipie, beautiful (ouch, smart movement round the table, and smiling, pleasant face has made him a great favourite with Ihose who have been delighted spectators of his methods. When Lindtmn turned the red on lieece during last Tuesday evening's session, tho visitor remarked that no one- but a red expert could expect lo hold his own with a red expert. And so it eecms.

Probably the best billiard "break' yet made bv a New Plymouth amateur is that which now stands lo the credit of Mr. A. B.'irtlett, of tho Dominion Billiard Saloon, Devon Street, Playing in a game recently, Mr. Bartlott ninde « break of 2Dll, chiefly with losing hazards off Uio red balL