BILLIARDS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 167, 15 July 1919, Page 6

BILLIARDS.

The professional tournament at the Auckland Spoi-ts Club was continued yesterday. Iv the afternoon Everett 1340) opposed Stewart I3(it>). Both players started elovvly, the pace of the table apparently worryiuj, them. At the twenty-sixth cue Everett pushed ahead, the scores being Everett 4.W, Stewart 426. Everett then played eouaislentll aud eonfideutly, winning eventually by I*o. His best breaks were 48, 24, 'do, aiid 25, to Stewart's 22 and 27. The biggest aud most enthusiastic gathering yet seeu at a billiard game iv Auckland assembled Stepuenson and Kereti. Unfortunately many could not get admission, but those who did ing nnlsh. Both competitors were warmly cheered on entrance, aud right tlil'QUgh intense excitement prevailed, risinjr to fever j heat with the fluctuations of the game. Both players started slowly, and the iirst •break, of note was 30 from Stepheuson. Kereti, playing rapidly, kept steadily iv the load, and Stepheu.son had to utilise all his skill to cut down hits start of 275. At the thirty-eighth cue the scores were called: Kereti ;!7li. Stephcnson 234. The spread of the balls here seemed to worry Stephenson. who had a bad run, while Kereti playing with great confidence put on in consecutive cues ;;5, 25, 20, "23, 12, and IU, the scores st the fiftieth cue being Kereti G7S, Stephenson oH"). With great pluck and coolness Stepheuson rose to the omasion. and with breaks of 20, 51, 40, and Sti ill close succession passed the Maori at the tsixty-second cue, the scores being Stephenson 7HB. Kereti 734. Amid the greatest excitement the competitors fought neck and neck until Kereti was 744 to the favourite's 741. Here Kereti failed in a square screw cannon, letting Stepheiisou iv to run to game, amidst loud cheers for both competitors for their display of pluck and sportsmauship. Stephenson save fine top of the table displays in breaks of 39, 67, 37, 34. 82, 22, 29, 51, 40, and 55. Kereti got great applause for pretily played breaks of X 3, 25. 20, 27, iind to-morrow afternoon Thompson meets 23, and 25. To-night Leherty plays Everett, Little at 2.30, while in the evening the first semi-final between Stephenson and the winner of Norton and 'Packer will he played.