A fitting climax to the professional tournament season at Burroughes Hall was reached at Frascati's on April 22, when a representative gathering of the leading representatives of the billiard world were present at an informal luncheon at the invitation of Messrs. Burroughes and Watts.
Mr. J. R. Abbott, managing director, presided, and presented Tom Newman with a cheque for £100, the first prize in the competition, and one for £25 for recording the highest number of marks. Throughout the proceedings there was an air of conviviality, and it must rank as one of the happiest functions it has been the writer's pleasure to attend.
Mr. Abbott paid high tribute to Newman's skill, and expressed the sentiments of the company when he stated that Newman was well on the road for championship honours.
Newman made a suitable reply, and testified to the great encouragement given to the younger professionals by Messrs. Burroughes and Watts. Most of the professionals were called on to speak, and it was acknowledged on all hands that were it not for this tourney billiards would not by nearly so flourishing as at present.
Mr. Abbott also expressed thanks to the Press, but I would respectfully point out that still more prominence might reasonably be given to this competition. Exhibition matches are all very well in their way, but it is the tournament that stands before everything else, for without doubt it is the foundation of a professional's season. Furthermore, each of those lucky enough to be included in the competition has to fight hard to retain his future position. Then-fore every heat is fraught with importance to those taking part, each having the strongest possible reasons for being victorious.
This applies more especially to the older hands, for with so much young talent waiting, as it were, for the door to open the veterans have to struggle harder each year to keep their place.
Already Newman has provided a sensation in winning every game, and that in his first season in the competition.
True he received a start of 2,000, but he won his heats in such convincing style that nest season his mark will have to be considerably altered. He also holds pride of place as far as average is concerned. For a youth who has not yet attained his majority his performance in averaging over 40 for six games is indeed phenomenal. What he will be capable of, at this rate, a few years later is a matter for conjecture, but certain it is that his doings will be closely watched by all billiard enthusiasts.
I must here say a few words about another young player who was not in the tournament. Willie Smith, of Darlington, although older than Newman, is still young in the profession, and to him also we shall look for great things.
He is the only player this season to defeat Newman, and he was successful in the two games they have contested.
With regard to Stevenson, the ex-champion, that fine player has to a great extent disappointed his supporters, but, as he remarked at the lunch, although under a cloud at present he had great hopes of "coming back." At all events, if he failed it would not be for the want of trying.
It is an acknowledged fact that a good workman needs a good tool. Therefore sympathy must be extended to Stevenson who recently had to dispense with his favourite cue. In conversation with the writer, he said he did not wish to make excuses, but at the same time, until he could light on another "stick" to suit his delicate style of play he would still be at sixes and sevens.
Diggle, as usual, has shown erratic form. On occasions he has played as well as any man living, but at other times as badly as the next worst, but in his case health has a deal to do with his cueing powers.
Inman also has not done too well, but to some extent it was because he had been reserving himself for the greatest championship in the history of the game, and that he was justified in his action has been proved by his splendid success. It is known to most people that the champion shortly leaves for the States.
Reece and Aiken have only been partially successful, but both men maintain a good level.
Last but not least, I come to Arthur Peall, the runner-up to Newman. Peall is a very stolid player, and any amateur who watches him at work should be able materially to improve his game, for Peall does not confine himself to any particular phase.
One of the most important duties in connection with the tournament is that of the referee. At all times it is a thankless task, for it would be impossible to please everybody.
Still, in Arthur Williamson we have nearly perfection. Always courteous but nevertheless strict in every detail, he has made himself universally popular, and it is pleasing to know his benefit each season is so well patronized.
Once more I must refer to the prominent part Messrs. Burroughes and Watts play in the world of billiards. It is due to their untiring efforts that the pastime is conducted in such a clean manner and that it has become the leading indoor game. I cannot refrain from mentioning a most sporting action on the part of the firm. What was considered the most attractive heat of the tourney was that wherein Inman would have been opposed to his old and pertinacious rival, Tom Reece. Unfortunately, however, this clashed with Reece's meeting with Gray in the championship. Mr. Abbott, with his usual thought for other people's welfare, thus let Reece off his engagement and at the same time introduced our old friend Cecil Harverson as an "extra turn."
It has been suggested to me that as the Billiards Control Club have an average test for amateurs, which I believe is on the principle of the golf handicap, and which also has proved most successful, the same thing might apply to professionals. Of course, there is a wide margin separating the paid and the unpaid at billiards, but nevertheless a standard should be attained. There are circumstances that make it difficult with regard to professionals, for certain of them depend more than others on safety tactics, and this naturally lowers the average. I append a table of starts that are the result of careful calculation, but I have no doubt they will appear extraordinary to the uninitiated. I have to thank Mr. S. A. Mussabini, who is an acknowledged expert on billiards, for his help in this tabulation, which is for games of 9,000 and expressly worked on the last tournament games. Newman would be at scratch, Aiken would receive 800 start, Stevenson 850, Diggle 1,025, Inman 2,300, Reece, 2,250, and Peall 4,275. Such is fame, who would expect Newman to concede a start to the present champion? But there it is. Figures speak for themselves, and the tournament games provide some interesting reading.
These figures, I know, will call for criticism from other billiard writers, but as I am taking the tournament figures only they cannot get away from the facts. It is a strange but curious thing that whenever Inman, our champion, plays, the averages are not great. I maintain that it is all the more reason to suppose that when he plays he plays to win. Really clever defensive tactics are every bit as essential to the game as what one might term open work. Inman has always played to win, and therefore it proves that, although the averages where he is concerned are comparatively small, they are a true indication of the game. There have been many occasions when men have gone out for almost impossible scoring strokes, which, having failed, leave something on for the opponent. That is all very well in exhibition games, but those I cannot count in this summary.
G. E. R.