BILLIARDS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1180, 15 July 1911, Page 12

BILLIARDS.

[By Marker.]

For the second time Lindrum has come out on top against Reece but, on this occasion, bis win was more attenuated than in the opening game, when the visitor was simply swept away by a torrent of points from the red ball. Last week the Australian youth laid himself out for more advanced billiards, and, to n great extent, succeeded in removing the impression that he is a "redball merchant," who can practically travel nothing but the "all-red route." If tho youth has not got the finish and polish of n master, he at least promises very 'shortly to acquire it, as he is an apt' pupil, and close student of the methods of his more experienced opponents, and exhibits improvement in almost every fresh exhibition. By and by, when all tho rough places and creases in his play are smoothed out, Lindrum should be uulli secundus with the cue. The story of tho game is told in tho following figures:—

Iti.UUU 15,130 Averages tor Whole Game. Lindrum 39.00* lieeco aG.92 Shulonts of the fame arc already wondering how the red-ball business is going to affect'.Lindrum's billiards in the long run, and it certainly looks a-s if no man •could hope to keep on at "the lo?er," and still preserve his touch for the finer phases of three-ball work. Even ;is Lindrum plays "the losers," the greater percentage of his shots are essentially driving shots mado with a long follow through, which, of course, is no part of the delivery in close work.

Lindrum has a clmuce which comes to few men—ho lias an opportunity which Gcorgo Gray has never had. Lindrum, by some instinctive ability, has a command of the three-ball game which conies to not many men at so early nn age. As it is, ho can go to England and take his plnco practically first hand amongst tho few leading exponents of the world. As such, it will be Lindrum's privilege to command a patronage in London, playing amongst the select little coteiic who have a regular following in tho«e rooms. Of course, all this presupposes that Lindrum will develop the faculty for play with ivory balls which has been brought to such a pitch of perfection by Roberts, Stevenson, Dawson, Kccce, and Inman, all Australians are confident that Lindrum will have little difficulty in this matter, and there can be no possible doubt in their minds that their "second string" will prove a better draw than George Gray is likely to bo for some lime to ccmo. If, however, Lindrum is quite bent on perfecting the "red loser," he will be sacrificing a chance of completely outstripping his younger rival, Gray,' who in the fullness of time must come fo the three-ball game as a means of livelihood. At the Junior Club, I'elone, recently, J. W. l?ead conceded tho club's- best player 050 points in a game of 750 up, and won easily by 300. Tho champion's best efforts were: 145, 123. 38, and several over Til), finishing up with au average of fit. At his best, Head is one of the most brilliant exponents of modern billiards, and one can only hope that he will retain his present form. When U. W. Stevenson, the English champion, arrives, some interesting games should result,

Averages. Lindruin. Recce. L. II. First day ...... 686 1336 16.1 31.8 Second day ..; 183G 1330 33.0 23.2 Third day ... 1235 1334 49.4 • 53.3 Fourth day ... 1289 1334 3A.0 40.4 Fifth day 1619 1024 77.2 48.7 Sixth day .... 1333 1301 J9.S 48.3 Seventh day... 1335 1474 35.13 30.10 l'.ighth day ... 1333 1158 33.33 3G.45 Ninth day ... 1261 1336 3G.28 39.29 Tenth day ... 1106 886 G3.95 40.27 Eleventh day 1333 1354 37.02 37.60 Tweltth day 1332 879 31.15 22.53