WILLIE SMITH AND TOM NEWMAN

Athletic News, Monday 02 January 1928

WILLIE SMITH:

In the Athletic News last year I emphasised the need for leaving the rules alone, but the advent of the pendulum stroke necessitated an alteration, and I agree that this was necessary. However, attempts are still being made to alter the rules—fantastic proposals that would ruin movements in which the greatest skill is brought into play—the art of saving the white.

A famous cricketer has just said: “The game is greater than the honour of captaincy.” So it should be with billiards professionals—the game, and not self-made rules.

Billiards has advanced in very short time from a public-house game to a national game adopted by all the religious bodies as a means of recreation in their clubs—a sure sign that the game is all right.

TOM NEWMAN:

The season’s greetings to the followers of the greatest of indoor games. The year has been one of great success, and I attribute the gaining popularity of Snooker, combined with Billiards, as the chief reason. Very shortly I hope to win the Championship at both games.