United Kingdom Professional Billiard Championship

Joe Davis Wins Great Final at Thurston's

Tom Newman Makes a Fine Bid for Victory

JOE DAVIS won his seventh billiard championship in his eighth final against Tom Newman, at Thurston's. Thefe were spells of great billiards in this match; there were patches of drab colour when both players were rather unlike the greatest exponents of our game. But let us not mistake the quality of our champion, Davis, when he is expressing himself at the height of his technique. He is a great player, make the measure what yon like—John Roberts, or Walter Lindrum.

That will suffice to indicate just how well Davis played when at his best in this championship, but he did not take all the honours of the battle. Tom Newman at times was equally great.

Tom Newman himself may believe that his 1,370-break made with ivory balls, and his 1,827, 1,814 and 1,765 made with crystalates are his best breaks, but most of us who saw his 1,394 break made against Davis in this championship will believe that in a long and brilliant career he has never given us more authentic cause for the use of superlative adjectives of description.

Davis was inspired to make his great achievement in the 1,784 break he compiled just 24 hours after Newman's had been rapturously applauded. Two great breaks by two great players. It was a memorable championship final.

In the preliminary rounds Tom Newman beat Sidney Smith, Willie Smith beat Sydney Lee, and Davis beat Willie Smith. The younger Smith has played UK ire consistently than he did in this, his first championship.

He made a break of 735, and returned an average of 60. At his best, he justified the prophecy that he will come into the aristocracy of title winners eventually.

Sydney Lee was satisfied with his showing against Willie Smith. He had two sessions in which he topped the 800-total mark. Willie Smith in his two heats had four sessions in which he scored over 1,000 points.

Davis had the best sessional aggregate with a return of 1,623 on the first afternoon, making his best average (325) at the same session. Newman's best sessional returns were 1,333, and 444 the best average of the championship.

Scores and Averages

Editorial relerence having been made to speeches by Sir Emsley Carr and Mr. John C. Bisset, at the presentation of the championship cup and medals, it only remains to say that both Newman and Davis responded suitably, their speeches being marked by a cordial sense of sportsmanship which was much appreciated.