Will Inman be "First" Again?

The Billiard Player has come across a portrait of Melbourne Inman taken in 1914, when, as the then champion of British billiards, he was leaving this country for a visit to the United States, where he played Willie Hoppe, the American baulk-line champion, in a series of matches that were half of the British and half of the American type. Much of interest might be recalled concerning that visit, but the more topical point to be discussed just now is: "Will Inman be first again in the world of pocket billiards at the end of the season now opening, and is he likely ever to regain that proud position?

The first consideration to be borne in mind is that he has not been beaten for the championship since he regained it in 1912 after two successive defeats by Stevenson, in 1910 by 18,000 to 16,907, and in 1911 by 18,000 to 16,914. He was first declared champion (without a contest) in 1908; in March, 1909, he defeated A. E. Williams by 9,000 to 7,662; in April Stevenson was declared champion without a contest; and a year later a great match between Stevenson and Inman was abandoned with the figures standing at 13,370 to 13,212 in Stevenson's favour on account of the death of Stevenson's wife. In each of the three years 1912-14 he had no difficulty in maintaining- his position against Reece as challenger, and in 1919 he defeated Stevenson by the very convincing margin of 16,000 to 9,468. In 1919 he stood aside in Smith's year, as both he and Smith did in Newman's case last year, leaving Smith to beat Falkiner by 16,000 to 14,500, and Newman to beat Reece by 16,000 to 10,744. Then there succeeded his long- series of stern encounters with Smith in London and various parts of the country, the result of which, although still fresh in many minds, may here be set forth.

What the figures really mean is that of six matches Smith won five, and scored in all 5,405 more points, and, putting the five wins and the one loss together, Inman was an average of 900 points behind per match.

Two powerful factors have hitherto con spired together to prevent Inman from dominating Smith as he has dominated so many other players. One of these is Smith's skill and the other is his smile. In man might be able to withstand the first, but the second is too much for him.

Smith smiles if he is winning; he smiles if he is losing; and he smiles if he flukes. These smiles do not help Inman. Smith even smiles after receiving the most treacherous of safety misses. What is to be done with such a man, thinks Inman.

Meanwhile, returning to last season's figures in the great and sustained duel, here they are in detail:—