The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-03-31
Diehl Looms As
 Dark Horse" of World Cue Meet

New York, March 30.-Joe Dieh of Rockford, Ill.,, and Charley Sea back of Astoria, L. l., made success full debuts yesterday during the sec. ord day of play in the worlds pro- fessional pocket billiards tournament at Andrew Ponzi's Academy, 16: West Forty-sixth street.
 Diehl, bespectacled, stringy anc well poised, proved to be cue ar. tist of the first rank, showing the best form so far. in disposing oi Willie Mosconi of Philadelphia, l2S to 68, in twenty-two innings. Sea- back came from behind with a spirited rally in the last five innings to upset Benny Allen of Kansas City, former Champion, 125 to 97 in thirty-three innings.
 Easily
 Erwin Rudolph also got off on the right foot in his initial appearance in the competition, easily turning back Onofrio Laur of Brooklyn, 12s to 57, n eleven innings in the first O. the two evening matches. The former titleholder, poised and ex- perienced by years of competition t-ok the lead at the outset and was never in much danger, despite run of A by Lauri in hte eighth inning Starting off with runs of 16, IA and 12, then accommodating his high of 38 in the sixth and finishing of with B, Rudolph demonstrated by his performance that he will have a good sa.' in deciding this years crown.
 Time and again the spectators, " filled the newly constructed amphitehater, paplauded Diehl for h. excellent position play. Taking part in his first major tournament, Diehl started of with a run of 24 in his first turn. Then followed 14 consecutive safety shots.
 After MoSconi missed on a diffi- cult shot, Diehl came through with his highest run, 51, to lead his op- ponent, 75 to l. Mosconi, however, suddenly regained his touch, scoring a 59, the highest of the tourney.
 Diehl would not be denied his vic- torly. Full of confidence, h erolled of 25 in the 18th inning and 24 in the 22nd, clinching the game and becoming the dark horse of the tourney.
 Classy
 Neither Seaback nor Allen dis playe l the artistry that Diehl did. Like Mosconi, both had trouble with t'.H new stream-lined tbale, but with the aid of a run of IT in the l7th inning, Allen led, 70 to 28, in the 22nd. Thereafter the Astoria player gradually regained his touch and confidence, whittling the lead down. He played at his peak in the last five innings, rolling up 77 points and closing with a streak of 3l.
 Asked why he had so much trou- bic getting started, Seaback said ''The table Is awful slippers and ] did not know what I was doing He added that this was the first time he had scored a victory in a world tournament in his opening game since he started playing in 1919.
 After trailing by 42 points, Sea- back started to play more confi- dently, and he seemed like a new player after few breaks came his way.
 Mosconi did not care for the new table. Three or four of his perfectly hit shots bounced out of the pockets throwing him off stride. "The pockets were not deep enough, anc that's why the ball bounces out" hs complained.
 Diehl was the fastest player il action. Before his previous shot wa completed he would scurry around ...-e other end Of the table to meas. u.e his next try. Frequently ht called his next shot without waiting for the cue balyl to stop rolling.
 The Rockford player said he Ina. never won any title of importanc, except the Illinois amateur crown 1T 1925.
 Diehl and Seaback joined Jimmy Caras, defending champion, and IT.. .g Crane of Rochester, at the toi of the standings, each with one vic toly.
 FIGHTING IRISH?
 South Bend, Ind.-Johnny Moir Notre Dame's All-America forward