World’s Snooker Record Broken

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 652, 2 May 1929, Page 16

World’s Snooker Record Broken

AUCKLANDER’S FINE GAME COMPILED 134 The world’s snooker record is no longer in the keeping of England, if Mr. E. J. O’Donoghue’s claim is recognised. Playing on Tuesday morning lie compiled 134 in one visit to the table. * Tli© official snooker record is held by Joe Davis, of England, with a score of 100, although Frank Smith, of Australia, and Con Stanway, of Canada, have passed tlia,t total with 116 and 117, respectively. However, their records are not official. It is not yet known whether Mr. O'Donoghue’s score, which easily beats the totals of the other players, will be recognised as official. Tlie possible is 147. Mr. O’Donoghue, who is the snooker champion of New Zealand, and the pro-

prietor of a billiard saloon in Ivarangahape Road, was not attempting to create a record when he compiled his astonishing total. He was engaging in a friendly game. In breaking up the bunch. Mr. O’Donoghue potted a red, and going on. did not finish his break until all the balls were pocketed. He potted all the reds, nine blacks, four blues, one pink, one green, and the remaining colours. The record-maker is of the opinion that he is the first to sink all the balls at one visit to the table, but it is authoritatively stated that Tom Muir, of Dunedin, while engaging in a friendly game at Dunedin, potted all the balls although his score is not known. It would be possible to sink all the balls, yet compile only a comparatively small score. Mr. O’Donoghue, during the time he has been playing snooker, has made many fine breaks. His record of Tuesday is easily his best effort, his previous best tally being 102. compiled on June 24, 1927. On that occasion he was presented with a certificate from friends and admirers, who had witnessed the break. Other breaks are 96 (twice), 95, 94 (twice), and 92 (four times). - ■