New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-09
DE ORC HARD TO BEAT
Pool Champion Retains Title
in Match with Sherman.
MAKES SPLENDID FINISH
Veteran Shows His Skill in
Combination Shots and
Maneuvring.


and brighter polish TO his crown by de-
feating Frank Sherman, of Washington,
by final score of COO balls. TO 4GG in their
match in John Doyle's academy, in West
I'D street The last Of the three blocks
Of points was especially brilliant so far
as the veteran champion was concerned.
He finished up in exactly twenty-four
frames for a total of 207 balls for the
night. which was reduced to the even 200
by seven scratches. Incidentally, he put
in high run of 49, which he deliberately
terminated by a safety, for De ORC never
allowed his challenger anything gratui-
tously
1t was the certainty with which De Orc
brought off his combinations and his po-
sition mannuvring that sent him along
speedily. In this respect Sherman dis
played greater weakness than he had on
any Of the two other nights Altogether
he sent only a total Of l2S balls rolling
into the pockets for the night, which was
reduced by seven scratches. 1t was his
worst performance OF the competition, and
he was careless at times not taking the
usual advantage Of calling scratches
against De ORC on three occasions. only
three times did Sherman clear the table,
and his best run was twenty-five balls.
Each of the players took the break
twelve times, but it was the champion
who made the most OF his opportunities
by the marvellous manner in which he
controlled the cue ball for position.
Right through the deciding block of
points Sherman wrecked his most promis-
l. g.lr
possible positions. He brought off his long
shots far better than De GRO in the ma
jority of instances At combinations he
aroused the crowd that packed every
inch Of the little academy by working
glittering carroms that were wonderfully
conceived and splendidly executed. 1t was
when he had the ivory globes scattered
around him in the profusion that spells
feast for the pool player that he messed
the layout by rolling into poor position
There was none of the skilful manpuyrinS
that had sent him ahead ~ he hrst
night of the contest and while portion
of it was downright bad luck none other
than Sherman was to blame for the most
of it.
1t is a question whether or not De Oro's
propensity TO fuss, did not have us enect
on Sherman's nerves. Outwardly he Ola
not show it. InSthe seventh frame there
was a bit Of safety fitting, and De orc
deliberately pushed the cue ball from the
middle Of the table tight against the side
rail with his cue 1t was a fragrant foul.
and Sherman appealed TO Eddie Gray the
referee, claiming that the cue bal should
be replaced. AS on the previous night
the crowd began to voice its opinion ana
for a moment the scene bordered upon
an lncipient riot. Doyle squelched the
row in the bud, however, by declaring
that the word Of the referee was law.
and Gray allowed only a scratch, and the
match continued.
The portly defending champion led or
with the breaking Of the pyramid at the
opening Of the final session at the table.
1t was a safe break, and the two en-
gagged in some fddling around the bunch
before Sherman missed a three ball COM
binaton, which 50 opened up the COM
pactly massed balls that De ORC cleared
the table easily. In the next frame, De
orc scratched in attempting a cut shot
and he left Sherman most entlclug
set up.
BY making a beautifully calculated com
bindton of the upper corner at long
range and following 1t with another the
length Of the table, Sherman seemed TO
be in a fair way to retaliate on the cham
pion. But In the last shot the cue ball
rolled behind one OF the colored worries on
the cushion and Sherman was left with
out a possible shot for his next turn. That
was the sort of thing that pursued the
Washington player all through the night,
and every time ne seemingly caught
glimpse of success it only proved a
mirage.
Keenly alive to size up the mood of his
opponent. De orc was as gay as could
be. He chatted with acquaintance
about the table, including Capabanca.
the chess champion, who remained to
the end. Sherman did not get an oppor-
tunity to make the break until the
fourth frame. The crowd was eager to
see what he would do. for 1t was b.
skiIlful cue welding in this respect that
he had been able to run up his long lead
on the first night Of the match. Sher-
man began auspiciously. but after seven
balls had rolled into the pockets his bad
luck doomed up, and De orc picked OF
two before missing a long one. which
made it possible for Sherman to get the
best Of the frame.
1t was not until the eleventh frame
that Sherman managed to count all Of
the balls as his own. He brought of
several ticklish combinations In this
frame. one a kick back from the cushion
that set the crowd to yelling. 1t was in
the next frame that De orc turned into
his last hundred points. He was eXecut-
ing with phenomenal steadiness and
with an occasional twist to his combi-
nations. especially those with the indi-
rect roll. that fairly electrified the spec
tatOrs.
The best Of the old champions spec
tactilar bits was tve-ball Impact In
tho nineteenth frame WHICH sent the yell
low ringer off one corner of the bunch
,,,to the pocket This was portion OF
No oro's big run, which was begun in
this frame. -.,,.,..y, -.
superior Judgment and SKIN. Another
oLaiIenp,e is in, and De ORC stated last
ot.,ht tbat II was possible that he might
rneet Ed, Nature in the next match In
Havana, Cuba.