Another Amazing Success THE Final of the above Competition took place at the Company's hall in Camberwell. The competition had aroused widespread interest in London Billiard circles and is but one illustration of the efforts the Lucania Co. is making to ensure Brighter London Billiards.
Master Douglas Curson (Westminster), who had appeared unsuccessfully in the two previous finals and Master Ronald Sanders (Romford), who was hoping to carry off the trophy in his first final, faced each other for the championship honours.
An audience of over two hundred people, including many of the boys who had fallen in earlier rounds, witnessed the game. Sanders opened by leaving a single baulk from which Curson failed to score, letting in Sanders for a nice 20-break. Curson was unperturbed and quickly got off the mark with a finely played 48- break, mainly obtained by losing hazards from the red. The break ended by the loss of the white ball. Sanders was unable to get going, and at the end of 20 minutes Curson was leading by 100 to 36. A slip by- Sanders when he failed at a simple red winner let in Curson for another good break of 45.
The balls were not running too kindly for Sanders, and his opponent quickly ran into his second hundred after 32 minutes play. Only on two or three occasions did Sanders reach double figures, and at no time obtained the control over the balls of which we know he is capable. This increased the already superb confidence of Curson, who continued serenely on his way, scoring consistently, bringing off almost every other minute a remarkably fine shot. One of these, a delightful masse cannon when the three balls were covered on the top cushion, gained the loud applause it deserved. Finding himself with a good position when requiring only 24 for game, Curson quickly assumed control and looked all set to finish the matter, but at 23 he failed at a not-too-difficult screw in-off the red. Sanders scored seven, but left Curson an easy cannon, which ended the game after 48 minutes with the score 300 to 99.
On the evening's display Curson thoroughly deserved his victory, and must be congratulated on a performance which was at once convincing, highly promising and really entertaining. He is still only 14?! years old, and will be very difficult to eliminate during the next two years. It was in his favour, however, that the match was at Camberwell, as he had played on the same table in the quarter- and semi-finals. Under expert guidance he should go far.
It was difficult to recognise Sanders as the boy who had played so well in his progress to the final. That he was well below normal form may be gathered from the fact that he recently put together a brilliant break of 147 in a friendly game. In sharp contrast to Curson, who played with the calmness of a veteran, Sanders appeared nervous and was unable to do justice to himself. He took his defeat like a true sportsman.
Despite the fact that no break over 50 was made, the consistency of the winner may be gathered from the short time taken to score the points. Each player made only 29 visits to the table, Curson averaging a fraction over 10 and Sanders just over three.
At the close Mr. W. G. Clifford, Editor of the BILLIARD PLAYER, presented the prizes to the winners. In a short but pointed speech he congratulated both boys on their fine display and the sporting manner in which the game was played. Curson received a handsome silver cup, Sanders a gold medal, the other, two semi-finalists were presented with silver medals. In addition to these splendid prizes, cues and cases were given to the five "best losers" in the competition.
Remark must be made on the efficient way in which the hall manager, Mr. E. Russell, made his. preparations so that both players and audience might enjoy the game in comfort. The audience, too,, must be commended for their excellent behaviour and keen appreciation. Joe Davis and Tom Newman could have commanded no more respect.
Mr. J. Brennan acted as Marker and Mr. R. Banks as Scorer.
THIS game turned out to be a very interesting one; a large crowd of spectators turned up at the Lucania Camberwell Hall and were treated to an exhibition of billiards that would have done great credit to older and more seasoned players, both boys being under the age of 17 years at the time of entry.
At the first hundred, young Curson led by about 30 points, and it was not until that mark was reached that we saw the real Curson in a beautifully compiled break of 84, made by a variety of strokes all round the table, including several losing hazards in centre and top pockets. Just when everyone was preparing themselves for a century break, he played a screw cannon too deep, and for the first time a really awkward position cropped up, the cue-ball stopping practically tight against the left-hand side cushion, the red ball a few inches off top cushion and the opponent's white ball near middle of table. No angle for a cannon off either ball appeared on, and the very awkward pot-red was chosen and missed, to the great disappointment of all. Young Bulmer did not appear to be unduly perturbed by this setback, and his next few strokes were skilfully carried out, but no big counterbreak was registered, each player now scoring more slowly; no quarter asked or given. The game ended with Curson winning by 300 to 169, in the very good time of one hour five minutes, and returning an average of 5.2; Bulmer returning an average of just under 3.
THIS match of 300 points up was played at the Lucania Billiard Club (Camberwell), on Tuesday, June 8, and resulted in a win for R. Saunders by 87. Final scores: R. Saunders, 300; S. Ferrar, 213.
Unfortunately for the players and spectators the billiards produced did not come up to expectation, both boys having played much better in previous rounds. Evidently the importance of the occasion, together with getting used to the table and conditions had a lot to do with the moderate display. Both boys opened quietly, nothing exciting happened, just moderate breaks in double figures being registered. Saunders led at the 100 mark by 20 and plodded steadily on, holding a lead of 60 at the 200, but Ferrar fought back to within 10 points of his opponent and an exciting finish appeared in store, until Saunders, playing with more confidence, ran out a fairly easy winner by 87 points. Highest break, 22 by Saunders.