The Real McConachy

Some critics are saying that if Clark McConachy could not defeat Inman at a difference of 1,000 in 8,000, or defeat Arthur Peall when giving the latter 100 in 700 up, he is unlikely to "cut much ice" in the remainder of his English engagements. In practice, the New Zealand champion pleased himself, his brother, and a few privileged onlookers, with his handling of the unfamiliar ivories, and led to a feeling of optimism relative to his first public appearances in this country. McConachy was, of course, disappointed, but, if one may say so, much better and more experienced players than he have before now failed to impress under similar circumstances.

McConachy has still something to learn about the idiosyncrasies of ivory balls. He is appreciating now, what he did not do before going down to Bristol, that no two sets of ivories play exactly alike, and that whilst to some extent he mastered the set used in practice, he had in reality not got beyond a rudimentary knowledge of this particularly lively and elusive playing medium.

McConachy watches Peall's massé—and makes one himself.

In practice McConachy could remedy mistakes and faults on the instant, but coming out to play in public he found that a different set of balls did not yield to the treatment that he had been imparting to those in practice. The result of all this was that most of the time in his match with Inman he was "guessing."

And the more he guessed the more sorely puzzled he became. Despite all, one is convinced McConachy came through a very trying ordeal with distinct credit. He will, no doubt, have further disappointments in the near future, bit with his temperament, sound knowledge, and the faculty of assimilating the lessons which experience teaches, the young New Zealander will eventually become a worthy foeman to our very best players.

It is a pity McConachy has not been more fully occupied, but unfortunately the news of his intended visit to England came after our leading players had filled their engagement books. His next big match is not until November 14 (when he meets Newman at Thurston's).

Meantime, he continues to practise assiduously, using a variety of sets of ivories, and when next he plays in public one imagines that he will justify what has been said and written of him.

McConachy is a player with original ideas, as will be seen in the photo of him playing the difficult masse stroke. It will be observed how he uses his elbow and the fork bridge for the shot, and in this respect he is unique amongst leading players in this country.