BILLIARDS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 30, 5 February 1932, Page 4

BILLIARDS

M CCONACHY'S RANKING

WORLD'S SECOND BEST?

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

LONDON, 31st December

"The Times," writing of Linclrum's engagements in the near future, and reviewing the billiard matches played this season, says that Lindrum and Newman have arranged to make a tour together in Canada and the United States which will necessitate their dopnrture from England about the middle of February. "If there is time for Lindvum to lake part in a match with McConachy, the Jfew Zealand champion, before his departure, great interest would bo taken in tho game owing to the marUed improvement which jteCouaeliy has shown during the matches lie has played this season." OKDBK OF MEKIT. Speaking of a possible championship competition, "The Times" correspondent goes on to say:— "While there is no room for doubt concerning the player who would be placed first on the list of the greatest exponents of the game, the position occupied by the others is open to question. Smith's absence from hard competitive play has not depreciated apparently his exceptional scoring powers, and it remains still to be proved that he is not the second best player in the game to-day. So far Smith has not felt disposed to accept the challenge issued by Davis to test the relative merits of tho two players, but it is quite possible that such a match will be arranged before long. There is little collateral form to be used as :i guide to estimate the chances of theso players if they did meet, but that tho game would be an extremely strenuous one there can be no. doubt. On his best form Smith undoubtedly was one of the greatest all-round players the game has ever-seen, and Davis Js task would be not merely a hard one, but an extremely diflicult one. "The overwhelming victory which McConachy gained over Davis earlier in tho season gave emphasis not only to the great improvement made by tho New Zealand player, but it strengthened the conviction of some people that at the present time he is probably the second best player in the world. That Newman is a better player than ever he was has been shown by his achievements during the year. As an exponent of the real artistry of the game it is probable that he has no superior, and when ho is in his best form he is as formidable as any of his contemporaries, with the exception of the greatest .player of them all. It is .unfortunate that Talkiner's opportunities of taking part in strenuous match play are not more frequent. Of his pronounced ability there has been no question for a long time, but his absence for long periods does not assist him to show, with the necessary consistency, how good he really is. If further opportunities are given him there is every reason for the belief that he would give any of tho other players referred to a very good game, and the hope is general that all of these players will be brought together. before long in a tournament. to 'test their relative merits." . - . ■