BILLIARDS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1929, Page 1

BILLIARDS

LINDRUM V. SMITH. [United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] LONDON, October 29. There was an even session in the afternoon as between Smith and Lindrum. Both averaged 103, hut Lindrum, in the evening, found the strength of the board, and he broke away from the Englishman and finished well ahead, having increased his lead in the evening' by over one thousand.

During a break of 904, Lindrum showed his versatility in stringing together nursery cannons and points by means of top of the table play, with equal ease. Three times he was in difficulties, but he overcame the first difficulty with' 'a' beautiful masse shot, the second with a three-cuhion cannon, and the third with a cannon off the edge of the middle pocket. Yet he failed in a comparatively simple cannon, when trying to work the red into position. Smith played open billiards, but without Lindrum’s delicacy, averaging 131 against the Australian’s 388. The scores are: Lindrum (playing) 4,635, including breaks of 904, 579, 400 unfinished, 144 and 114. Smith, 3,274,, including breaks of 365, 269, 226. McCONACHY V. DAVIS. McConachy is 4,661 including breaks of 648, 435, 212, 136, 131. Davis is 2,189, including' breaks of 384, ; 274, and 235. •McConachy was most brilliant in the afternoon, averaging 148 against Davis’s average 'of five. Jocularly, Davis said : “ I think that five must he a record for professional billiards in Britain.” McConachy’s best effort was 648, .including a notable sequence of fortyeight close cannons, and a heroic display after he lost the white. He scored seventy-two with his own ball and the red before he broke down, when the balls kissed. Davis, in the evening, however, gave glimpses of his true form. His first break of over a century was 384, which ended when he missed the red. He outpointed McConachy for the first time in the match, averaging 127, compared with McConachy’s 40. The New Zealander’s brilliant form against Davis has had a surprising se- i quel. A well-known Glasgow sportsman, who is desirous that his identity | should not be disclosed, has hacked McConachy for £IOO to defeat Smith. The cheque has already been handed to Mr -T. G. Williamson, the promoter of the McConachy-Davis match. Doubtless Smith will accept the challenge, though such a wager is unique in professional billiards in Britain in recent years. McConachy says that he is delighted, and will place no handicap in the way as regards the conditions under which the match will he staged.