Joe Davis - Billiards Champion (1928)

"Joe Davis, the 27 year-old Chesterfield player, achieved his ambition by winning the professional championship. In the final at Thurston's last night. He beat Tom Newman by 1,126 points. "it was a great game," declared Davis after the match, "and I think I won because for the first time, I was able to do myself justice on a big occasion. I want to confess how delighted I am to have realised the three ambitions I set for myself when I began to play billiards for a living. These were to make a 1,000 break at billiards, a 100 break at snooker, and to win the billiards championship. Now I have done all three, and very glad I am to take the cup to Chesterfield for the first time." Newman remarked, "having won the championship six times I can take a defeat in its turn. It was the most pleasant contest for the title I have ever played. Hard fighting and plenty of it, but always in the best sporting spirit. Davis played like a real champion and won on his merits. That is all there is to say."

It was a splendid game. During the ninth session Davis was over 2,000 in front, but the champion, by a superhuman effort - he scored over 1,300 points in the 12th session - had reduced his arrears to under 900 at the half-way stage. Newman was actually in front during the 16th session but his opponent battled on and regained the lead. Davis was 427 in front when play was resumed yesterday afternoon. He was in play with 169 unfinished, which he increased to 225 before failing at a deep screw loser. Newman failed to advance, and Davis settled down at the spot-end for another useful contribution. Operating principally at the top of the table he passed the third hundred without difficulty. When his break reached 384 Davis used the long rest in attempting a top cushion cannon and missed it. Newman played carefully for 169, which included a sequence of 37 cannons before giving way at a cushion cannon. Davis, assisted by a fluke at his second stroke, added 103, when he missed a cross red loser. Given an excellent opening Newman compiled a delightful all-round break of 371, a long loser from hand causing his retirement. Davis then went to schedule with 122 unfinished, leading by 552. The final session was a complete triumph for Davis who scored his last 667 points for an average of 95. Newman, whose opportunities were limited, did not play in anything like his usual form, scoring only 93 in six innings. Davis converted his unfinished 122 to 216, when a faulty stroke left the balls awkwardly placed, and he was forced to play for safety. Newman had little to go for. Although left a good position, Davis, after scoring 25 missed a simple ball-to-ball cannon. Newman should have made a break at his second innings, but, after scoring seven, he missed a simple loser. Davis was again favoured with a good position. However, when he had scored 27, he made too thick a contact on the object ball and missed a long loser. Newman then threw away another good opportunity by muffing an easy middle pocket winner when 17. In this case Davis took advantage of his opponent's mistake, and, playing chiefly at the top end he made a break of 220. Later Davis put on 204. Newman's reply was a run of 69 the break being terminated by his missing a screw cannon. In doing so he had made his last stroke, for Davis played carefully and ran to game with an unfinished 93.