BILLIARDS.

Evening Star, Issue 12868, 18 July 1906, Page 3

BILLIARDS.

Our New Zealand champion, E, J Campbell, has been beaten in Melbourne by Sawkins in the match of 5,000 up for what may be termed the " Memmotbarred" championship of Victoria. It was concluded on the 7th- inst. The 'Argus' reports :—At the conclusion of plav on Friday Sawkins's lead had been reduced from 433 to 124. Campbell showing exceptional • form at that session. In anticipation of a' close and exciting finish there was a crowded house on Saturday evening. Campbell got going at once with a break of 50, but the play then became scratchy, both ravens aopeajring to be under pressure, Sawkins particularly being far below his true form. Campbell caught Sawkrns at 4,241 (the score at the opening being : Sawkins, 4,165; Campbell, 4,041)

Sawkins then, with a 96 break, got ahead, but Campbell again caught ham at 4,370. A period of slow play followed, both players missing numerous opportunities of breaking away, while the game was closed up ait times with safety misses and finessing for position. When Sawkins was 4,487, and Campbell 4,469, the latter objected to the halls, and the marker having tried them and upheld the objection, a new set was procured. , From this out bawkins recovered form and played remarkably well, his execution and position play being very accurate towards the end, when ho compiled breaks of 71, 67, and 63 (unfinished) ki close succession, and ran out a winner by 312 noints. The winnor 6 principal breaks were 36, 96, 35, 34, 44, 30 (off red), 71, 67, and 63 (unfinished). Campbell's best were 50,32,62, 55, 37, 35, 62, and 29. Sawkins's average for the final session was .12.3, which is considerably below his usual average, wihdch ranges from about 15 to 18. On featurdav, however, the safety misses and close play reduced it somewhat.