BILLIARDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19719, 9 December 1926, Page 8

BILLIARDS

CHALLENGE TO THE WORLD ANGLING FOR LINDRUM Some weeks ago Willie Smith threw eut a challenge to Tom Newman, the billiards champion, but there has been no response. Smith has now gone further, and is prepared to challenge anyone in the world to three games for £5OO aside, and he is willing to play with any ball, ivory or composition. Obviously this offer, whilst not excluding anyone, is mainly directed at Walter Lindrum, the Australian champion. Last year Smith offered to play him six games, three with composition balls w r hich Lindrum is accustomed to use, and three with ivory, but received no reply. The only condition of the challenge is that the matches must take place in this country. Smith will not, I am afraid, ever risk going abroad, for health reasons. Some years ago he had a very serious illness, and he has to take great care of himself to avoid a recurrence of it. If Lindrum wants to come to England, here is clearly his opportunity. The conditions are, of course, greatly in his favour. But it does not follow that he would win, As a matter of fact, though he has not played with composition balls for several years, Smith knows everything about them. Indeed, it was with these that he was the first player to beat the Australian George Gray. Having fallen out with Newman, and, as there is no likelihood of their meeting this season, he naturally wants to find some attractive engagement for his fixture list. As he puts it: “I am willing to meet all comers. I mean business. My money is there to be played for, and I shall be glad to hear from any player in the world who wants to try and win it.”