BILLIARDS

Grey River Argus, 22 April 1911, Page 7

BILLIARDS

It is now delinitely known that the proposed match between ''Stevenson and Gray is "off," as both players have contracts to fulfill, and at present it is impossible to have these set aside. As to the rumour of Gray play ing Roberts in London ,on sharing terms at Coronation time, that sounds well enough, but we must wait and see, for Gray's contract with Itiley expired on April 1, and he immediately goes intq the hands of John Roberts. Should the match take place, such a pair (the old and the old champions) are certain to be 'billiard lions of the celebrations. As was expected Inman defeated Harverson in the sixteenth heat of the London tournament by 531 points, and takes the leading place. He .started well, and with' a 500 break (two days in succession) made such a hole in the South African's start that afterwards he could not keep away from Inman. Both played well, but Inman was just a little bit the •better. Final scores : — lnman (rec. 1000) 9000;/ Harverson (rec. 2250) 8469. As it is not generally known, it is worth while pointing out that the amateur championship games are play ed under the Billiard Association code and not that of the Billiards Control Club, which governs the professional matches. And here an important difference in the two codes seems to need explanation. TJnder the B.C.C. code, a player is not allowed to make two misses in successive innings, unless his oponent scores after the first innings or a double baulk intervenes, the penalty for doing so "being the same as a foul stroke. On the other hand, the B.A. code allows of a player giving- as many misses, as he pleases, which means that he has an entirely free hand in conducting his defence. The latter is. I am 1 sure, the best method, whilst it recommends itself further by the fact that the alteration adopted by the club was unnecessary. It certainly was not called for 'by amateurs, even if some professionals asked for it. The B.C.C. is supposed' to be rva entirely by amateurs, who should know that the professional element in 'billiards does not exceed one pej cent. It is difficult to xmders'tand why such a rule was passed. ♦ j