TOPICS of the DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 138, 10 June 1905, Page 3

TOPICS of the DAY.

A BATTLE OF GIANTS. (From Oar Speciar Corrrspondent.) LONDON. April liS. On Monday fortnight will begin the most interesting billiard ma tell we. have had in London for in ai> v a ypar. .Tohn Roberts then meet*; 11. \V. Mevenson :it the t'iixtmi Mull. Westminster, for 1. , r>oo. the old or j-'nv.-r giving his rivnl J' >i.) points in 1.5.000. Apan from the stake the men have a good incentive i'> ilo Iht.-ir very be-t in an offer from Messrs Hurroiighs arid \V::tts. In give f ItH) t<i either phiyor beating Stevenson's hf)ot-barrp(i record !>re;;k uf so;;, imd an additional a: 10i> lo either player wild may make a break of 1000. The records of tlie rivals arc too well-known to need recapitulation at length. .lohn Roberts was fov 14 years without doubt "The Master" in t lie name of billiards as if was playe<! after ihf knell of the spot stroke rang. For years there was not a plivyev to whom hi- could not sucivssfsilly concede a tliird of the game. Perhaps he %v:;s at his very be.si in I SIM when be made his wonderful r-pot-burred break of 13!>2. This stands out a> a marvellous performance even thoiifrb it wns not uiaile on a certified standard rablo. anil although the use of the push-stroke was not then barred. Soon after Roberts' pecuniary position Hvarno \uisat isfar-to?-y and though in October. ISiIS. he settled Wawsou's pretensions to ehalletiL'e his stipri-msiry very *-;i>iiy. the i v hum pi on soon afterward found it desirable to fio abroad. In his absence Dnwsnu and Stevenson had the field pretty much to themselvebs for (bar. perhaps. Diujrlc. who never seemed to can , t r> make a bid for the highest, honours) there \vjjf not a player to whom either of them could not concede three or four tbousand in 18.000 up. Their fights fr the championship ami their respective trips to the* Antipodes need not be dilated upon here. Up to this year the advantage in long matches has rested with Duwson. but this season Stevenson has shown himself to be the superior player, and in their recent mutches won by hp.nd.some mar<rin.s in eax'h ease. On current form Roberts' opponent is a far more formidable player than he wa;- a year ago. He has Ruined greatly in confident. , and seems much less affected by ill-luck than of yore. His srame i? as fascinating as ever to watch. an<J not even Roberts can "rive him points in the manipulation of the ivories at the top of the table, or in the art of extrieatinjr himself from difficulties. On recent form as exhibited by both men in the provinces Stevenson indeed would appear to be capable of giving Roberts! :iOOO instead of receiving that start. And seeing that for sonic years the older player lias been generally dealing with bon/.oline balls the handicap which he has voluntarily plax-vd himself under appears a very one indeed. Stevenson was quite prepared to meet Roberts on level terms, but the latter would only consent to a match providing he was allowed to give a start of 2000. Apparently he thinks that even if beaten under these conditions lip willnot lose any prestige. That, however, entirely depends on the. quality of the beating which he may receive. Stevenson has backed himself to win by more than his start, and good judges of the' game, familiar with the recent play of both men, apparently believe that he will do so. But Roberts has not been seen in genuine money matches of late, and his recent .S2l break, though not made on a certified tnlJe, is evidence thnt the time for reckoning the whiioin spot-barred cimnirnon a '"has been" is no fc yet.