THE CHAMPION BILLIARDIST.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 118, 20 May 1907, Page 2

THE CHAMPION BILLIARDIST.

+ STEVENSON v. BEAGGE. EASY WIN FOR THE ENGLISHMAN. The concluding stages of the match between H. W. Stevenson and T. C. Braggo on Saturday were watched by largo numbers of interested spectators. When play ceased on Friday night, Stevenson had 5333 to his credit, with an unfinished break of 67, Bragge's score being 3007. On Saturday afternoon Stoveijson took his break to 78, and shortly afterwards put on a very nicely-played 43, followed by a break of 63, some of his losing hazards being particularly good. Braggo, who had not been showing good form, then got to work with his favourite losing hazards, and knocked up 38, followed a few minutes later by 25, which included a really first-class run-through bhot at the bottom of the table. After some variable play by both men, Stevenson scored a useful 65, his use of the cush being artistic to a degree, and then, Braoge having failed to s>core. he, put on a break of 97 — a most delightful exhibition of top-of-the-table play. Braggo put on one or two small breaks, chiefly of losing hazards, and then the Englishman got going nicely and gave the spectators as charming a display of tho fine points of the game at could be desired. A beautiful series of cannons, losing hazards, masse shots, tho usa of the cush, run-through shots — all were exemplified in a manner which one enthusiast characterised as " a dream, 1 ' and when he failed to score a cannon off the cush, after compiling 107, he was awarded well-de.-seived applause. Chiefly by marvollous play .-at the top, of tho table, the champion had reached 4000 at 4.45 p.m.— after an hour and r Quarter's play, and he- brought hia break up to 102 by some really fine losing hazards off the red, having lost the white some iime previously. Bragge's noxfc break was 13, but Stevenson scored freely whenever he got the opportunity, and had reached 4100 ten minutes after ha had notched 4000. Ho went on to again show his ability to play tho all-round game, the manner in which he retained position being quite as marvellous as many of the shots which he played. The break realised 58, and terminated by a kiss off the cush. Bragge mado a really fine break of 48_ by some good nursery cannons' and his specially — losing hazards ; and after somo further play the session closed with the score — Stevenson 4168, Braggo 3626. The Englishman had an unfinished break of 37, and continued to play at 8 o'clock. Ho was evidently in good form, and tho spectators quickly got a taste of his quality. Tho most difficult shots were made with consummate grace and case, and incidentally ho 'showed his ability to use tho left hand with as good effect as tho right. As usual, he did a lot of work at the top of the table, but occasionally he wandered further afield, and his cannons off the cush wero the height of perfection. The spectators present were frequently wrought up to quite a pitch of enthusiasm, and the marker had all his work cut out to keep tho tally. Tho 'break totalled 152. • For a few minutes both players wero disappointing, and thep Braggo put on 27 by good play. Then thr champion again got going, and he was a real treat to -watch. With marvellous speed the score rose, and it was evident, that he was giving ol his best. One in-off shot along tho cush was simplj a marvel of skill, and incidentally he showod how hazards, winning and losing, can be played. The way in which ho made use of tho cush, too, wbf beautiful, his touch being as delicate as a butterfly's kiBS, and on more than one occasion it was apparent that ho could have given an' exhibition of tho cradle cann6n had ha been so disposed. At 8.30 his score was 4500, ano when he had made 205 he took a rest after just missing a marvellouslydesigned cannon off the cush. Braggo was badly left, and failed to scoro, and then the Englishman put on 58, Bragge replying ■mtii 35, putting down the red to a considerable extent. At 8.42 Stevenson had reached 4600, and then ho made up another brilliant display, notching 84, chiefly by a serios of beautiful cannons. At 8.50 he had increased his i score to 4700. Bragge was at this time endeavouring hard to recover lost ground, and gave the best display thai he had been ablo to produce for some I time, his losing hazard off tho white i boli being particularly clever. Eventually, in making a really fine cannon he had bho misfortune to pot his opponent's ball, but mado good use of tho red, and put a break o' 94 to his credits At 9.6 p.m., Stovenson had scored 4800, and at v.13 ho wa3 4900, his performance including a remarkable 140 break, which wat, worth while going a long way to see. Braggo missed a losing hazard off the white, and only succeeded a littlo later in putting up a break of 24, Stevonson bringing his score about 9.30 p.m. to 5001 after scoring- 31- in one and a half minutes, chiefly Dy a series of losing hazards. Bragge's score was then 3865. Hearty cheers woro given for tha champion, and the loser was also loudly applauded. Braggo, it should be said, at scarcely- any time during the match played up to his true form. On other occasions he has shown that he is capable of very much better play, but throughout tho contest ho appeared to, be nervous, and, apparently, somowhat overcome by having to meet an opponent whoso recent performances havo been of so sensational a character, nis style, however, differs altogether from Stevenson's, and although in somo respects, especially at losirig hazards, he makes brilliant play, he lacks that consummatt; skill, delicacy of touch, and ability to get and keep position that are the outstanding feature of Stevenson's play. Perhaps for that reason he served to throw up into stronger light tho marvellous prowess of Stcvonson, whose exhibition will live long in the minds of biiliardists in Wellington.